At some point, I would like to get some words on paper to develop a method of meditation specific for heart disease patients, and even more specifically, a framework of meditation for those of us with atrial fibrillation. Meditation is a beautiful art and, yet also an intriguing science. I had to persevere to discover its therapeutic, almost 'benzo-like' potential.

Personally, though, I found it very discouraging to commit to a meditation practice with atrial fibrillation. Deep breathing would often aggravate either of my gastrointestinal or heart conditions. For a time, before sotalol loading in February, and before reluctantly eliminating all exercise triggers, I would so often wake in a-fib in the morning or be greeted by some vagal a-fib after my evening meal. As such, my morning meditation was full of loathe, and my evening meditation suffered.

"Sean, try not so much to adapt to the world, however adapt the world to you." These were the incredibly wise words of my Aikido instructor Paul Linden, who doubles as a stress reduction and PTS educator (http://www.being-in-movement.com/). I was gratefully led to Paul shortly after an aborted ablation attempt, when I diagnosed myself with post-procedural stress disorder (PPSD), including anxiety and panic, often when driving my car. "Adapt the world to you."

And so I modified my meditation practice. I no longer focused on deep breaths. I breathed normally. I sat comfortably in a chair, rather than the wretched legs-crossed position. I was instructed to smile, rather than frown, each time a thought triggered my mind during meditation. At the outset, I spent more time smiling than meditating. I think I still do.

The meditation practice has been just as much a journey as my atrial fibrillation. And I am amazed at just how less often and less enduring my episodes of a-fib are when I am duly committed to my meditation practice. Perhaps more practically, the breathing practice allows me to navigate doubly stressful situations during the day. The first stressor of course being my atrial fibrillation [and there is probably some physiological pre- a-fib stressor(s) that will one day trigger the beginnings of better, patient-specific treatments]; and the second stressor being any number of modern day treats, e.g., meeting with the Director at work, rush hour traffic, running late for an appointment, checking in on the Dow Jones Index more than once a week, etc. etc.)

So with all that in mind, I wanted to share a great resource called 'The Presence Process," recommended by a health care professional who helped me navigate and dance with my PPSD.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1897238460/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=69773656044&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3469520033697231505&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3yd7alyatw_b

I invite my colleagues here to share your experience and hope with meditation, relaxation, and alternative methods for coping with atrial fibrillation, of course with an emphasis on coping rather than curing. Be well, and remember, it is perhaps easier to adapt that world to you, rather than adapting to the world.

May your NSR be long, but in the theme of this post, may your a-fib also be calm.

Sean