Volume 17, Number 2

Here and Now

By Lou Bordisso

ollowing my dementia diagnosis several months ago, I came to real-ize that I have no idea how long my

memory and cognitive functions will serve me. There is more of a sense of urgency so I am "seizing the moment" and enjoy-ing life to the fullest, as I am able. In many ways, I am happier now than I ever have been in that I am focused on the "here and now," focusing on the present moment rather than being wor-ried about the future, and having fewer re-grets about the past. Prior to my health challenges, much of my life was taken up with striving for this or that and not really paying attention to the things I value most - primary and secondary relationships, spiritu-ality, and health.

For me, to live in the moment and to re-ally appreciate the things and people I value most, I have embraced the spiritual practice of mindfulness and stillness. The ability to live in the present moment deep-ens, develops, and matures when there is an intention to pay attention. I have found that I am unable to pay attention to the present moment when I am preoccu-

Winter, 2012

pied with the past or future. At this chap-ter in my life, in order for me to live life to the fullest, I need to take time out to find solitude, meditate, and contemplate on a regular basis. Real life is hidden from awareness and consciousness if I do not.

There are several ways I have discovered to be helpful in cultivating stillness and mindfulness. When I had a 40-hour work week, it was difficult to “fit in” the time for stillness. Now that I have been gifted with

time and more ap-preciation of the things that I value most, I am more able to practice my spiritual disciplines by having a more bal-anced lifestyle.

I strive to take time each day for spiritual reading from the reli-gious tradition I am most comfortable with and reflect on the wis-dom of my spiritual tra-dition. Each day, time has been set aside for some sort of prayer, meditation, and con-

templation. I have discovered that morn-ing is best for me in that my mind is fresh. Others might find that different times of the day for their spiritual practices can be more helpful. Daily walking (or some sort of physical exercise) can also nurture still-ness and contemplation, as it is a deliber-ate exercise to strengthen body, mind, and spirit. (continued on page 2)

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Lou Bordisso with monks in Thailand

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Here and Now

(continued from page 1) Finally, I have found that some form of a communal experience helps to kindle my spirits in that I am able to get support and encouragement with others who share similar values. Some people find that de-mentia support groups work, others find solitude in 12-step recovery meetings of some sort, while others have returned to their spiritual roots in a given religious tradition. Each of us is unique and is gifted with our own temperaments and spiritual styles.

Many years ago, I had an opportunity to visit spiritual traditions other than my own. When I was employed by the Navy as a civilian employee assistance program administrator and counseling psycholo-gist, I frequently traveled to Asia to meet ships at various ports of call. I had many opportunities to learn about and appre-ciate different faiths. While en route, I stayed a few days in Thailand and took the Buddhist Temple tour. Later in life, I also had the great joy of visiting Kyoto, the Buddhist center of Japan. While there, I journeyed to a Buddhist monastery to

Perspectives is published by

Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive - 0948 La Jolla, California 92093 Phone: 858-822-4800 Email: lsnyder@ucsd.edu http://adrc.ucsd.edu

Editor:

Lisa Snyder, MSW, LCSW

Editorial Advisors: Staff of the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Research Center

Perspectives is published quarterly and is supported by the National Institute on Aging grant P50 AG05131. Copyright 2012. Electronic formats may be printed for personal or professional use, but please do not reprint newsletter articles for other publications without permission. Electronic subscription is free of charge and available by request at lsnyder@ucsd.edu.

All articles, unless otherwise cited, are written by Lisa Snyder, LCSW. For citation purposes, refer to the article author, title, and the newsletter’s complete name, volume, and number.

experience the famous meditation rock garden. I found the rock garden to be fascinating but I gained the most spiritual insight as I departed. There was a very small sign that said, “The Usual Path” (in order to direct tourists back to our destination). The sign did not say, “The Right Path” or “The Only Path”, it simply said “The Usual Path.”

Ryoanji Temple rock garden, Kyoto, Japan

There is no right way or one way to culti-vate stillness or live in the present mo-ment. Each of us living with dementia or related memory challenges is invited to discover our own path as we journey through this chapter in our lives. I have found that my diagnosis has turned out to be a gift in that I am more content now than I have ever been. Maybe it is because of my diagnosis and not in spite of my diagnosis that I have rediscovered and re-kindled my spiritual roots and have come to appreciate what I have here and now.

Lou Bordisso has Masters degrees in Divinity and in Marriage and Family Counseling, and a Doctorate in Counseling and Educational Psychology. He is a former priest within the Old Catholic faith tradition and was a hospice spiritual care chaplain. He is currently a member of the ecumenical Order of St. John Vianney. Bordisso provides pastoral counseling and spiritual care for clergy and lay persons. He is currently pro-gram host for the public broadcast, Political Inquisitions, which addresses ethics, moral-ity, spirituality, and politics. He also serves as an early-stage advisor for the National Alzheimer's Association and is active in his local Alzheimer's Association Chapter.