Darlene Cohen Articles | Arthritis Information
One of my best teachers with this challenging illness has been a woman called Darlene Cohen. She is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has suffered from RA for about 25 years.
I am going to post a series of articles from her, one at a time, hoping it may help and inspire you all.
The first one is called, "The Only Way I Know How To Eliminate Suffering."
Anyone who wants to go directly to her website to download MP3 talks or articles, it is: darlenecohen@net, check her out she is well worth it.
This illness is just so life changing and shattering. We need all the resources we can get. You never know when some information will come your way that will be just the thing you need.
Happy reading!
Cordelia2008-12-27 04:06:54I have also read her articles and find them very helpful. Her words ring true due to her own experience with RA. She is a local resident in the San Francisco area.
Alan
Cordy, I started my journey at Green Gulch many, many years ago. Have followed Darlene's teachings for a long time. In fact we have sitting sangha here in La Penita, Mexico once a week and I just gave a short talk about gossip from one of her teachings. I'm so glad that you've posted these. They're so relevent to everything we all go through each and every day. LindyI am not into Buddha, but if the articles help someone; that is nice of you Cordy.
I believe you have a good heart and sweet spirit.
However, I believe we are blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and all good things come from Him. I will peek into your articles as you post them. Have a good day!
Lisa
inflamedOnline2008-12-27 08:26:48Interesting post. Thanks.
[QUOTE=LinB]Cordy, I started my journey at Green Gulch many, many years ago. Have followed Darlene's teachings for a long time. In fact we have sitting sangha here in La Penita, Mexico once a week and I just gave a short talk about gossip from one of her teachings. I'm so glad that you've posted these. They're so relevent to everything we all go through each and every day. Lindy[/QUOTE]
LinB, I was pretty sure you would know about Darlene, of course. Green Gulch sounds like a wonderful place.
Her teachings regarding RA and acceptance are without a doubt incredibly good information for any RA sufferer, it does not matter whether you are Buddhist, Christian or Muslim, the information is stiff useful.
Darlene is very gentle in her ways. And she absolutely without a doubt understands the gnawing, chronic pain we all experience.
I remember one of her stories was about how she was so stiff and pained first thing in the morning she could barely get up and go to the bathroom. With every step and movement she screamed out loud all the way from her bed to the toilet.
Her husband and young son told her how distressing it was to hear her in such agony. They then came up with a solution as a family, every morning as Darlene groaned her way to the bathroom, her family would groan with her...screaming all the way like she did. Her family found this to be their solution to hearing her in agony and not being able to help. If they all groaned and screamed, they felt they were helping and supporting her.
My RA is and has been as sever as what Darlene talks about. Just two weeks ago I went to get out of my recliner to dish up our evening meal and I couldn't stand or walk. My hip joints had completely locked up. It was frightening. Neve had to help me, I did eventually move but it was very difficult. Neve held onto my hands to the bathroom and back, then I did dinner. The movement had helped but I was still not great.
Lisa, it's not about being into Buddha rather using the principles to create and lead a loving, kind and hopeful life for ourselves. It's about using the techniques to help ourselves and putting them into practice in our own lives. Cultivating kindness, gentleness, wisdom and compassion.
I grew up in my pentecostal churches. Over many years as a teenager then young woman then mother and kicking middle age, I have studied the texts and guidelines of many philosophies.
My opinion is that Jesus Christ is not the only 'way', I believe there are many paths to the same destination. And it's how be behave along the way that really counts. Jesus Christ is a symbol of absolute unconditional love and compassion. I believe we need to ask ourselves in every situation, what he might do. We are his hands...are we reaching out to others who need help?
If all of you who are staunch church goers want to have a go at me for expressing my opinion then go right ahead. I'm not sure it is what Jesus would have done though.
My sharing these articles has nothing to do with Buddhism versus Christianity, it's about using the principles and guidelines Darlene teaches to help you hopefully, survive and manage your RA better, since she has had it longer than most people here. I believe it's vital to look too our 'RA elders' to guide us through.
[QUOTE=SnowOwl]
I agree, Cordy, and your articles are much appreciated.
[/QUOTE]
Thank you both for the above posts. Sort of "walk the talk" approach to life. Lindy
[QUOTE=SnowOwl]I agree, Cordy, and your articles are much appreciated.
I am not into Buddha, but if the articles help someone; that is nice of you Cordy.
I believe you have a good heart and sweet spirit.
However, I believe we are blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and all good things come from Him. I will peek into your articles as you post them. Have a good day!
Lisa
Originally posted by SnowOwl
I agree, Cordy, and your articles are much appreciated.
I am sorry for the confusion. I got my definition from:
and
I found your post interesting. Thank you,
Lisa
edited to correct : link
inflamedOnline2008-12-28 16:22:58RA does not have a religious preference. It has no boundaries. It picks on anyone. It does not matter what you believe or who you believe in. I will open up the articles because I appreciate any advice someone is willing to give me so that I can better handle this monster. Thanks for sharing Cordy.
[QUOTE=lorster]RA does not have a religious preference. It has no boundaries. It picks on anyone. It does not matter what you believe or who you believe in. I will open up the articles because I appreciate any advice someone is willing to give me so that I can better handle this monster. Thanks for sharing Cordy.[/QUOTE]
Yep, lorster, RA does not have a religious preference. And the purpose of my posting these is exactly what you said, I too am willing to listen to my RA elders...in the hope I will learn something that can't help me handle the monster better.
IO, SnowOwl's definition of Buddha is exactly correct. He is not divinity just a teacher of a philosophy that has certainly benefited a lot of people to manage their lives well.
I hope you get something out of the articles, Lorster. I shall post some more tomorrow.
Lori, thanks for pointing that out, you're so right.
Also, it doesn't matter where one finds help, as long as it makes the journey easier for the individual. It just happens that Darlene Cohen has first hand knowledge of the disease and secondly is a Buddhist and thirdly is published extensively.
If I find help getting through a flare with meds, a good doctor, Buddhist or religious teachings then I feel that I should share what helps me. It may help someone else. That's what the forum is based on - knowledge and help. RA crosses all boundaries and colors and there's a wide variety of helpful ways to deal with it. I've gathered knowledge and help from many different sources. Lindy
Hello,
I am not looking for a argument about Buddhism. I am confused though why you do not believe it is a religion. I got the definition from the Webster dictionary and the Encyclopedia. I also read that Buddhism is in the top 10 religions practiced in the world. I believe it originated from Hinduism. I respect my faith as well as others. I was sincere in my post. I could tell Lorster the Ocean has salt in it and she would argue with me. So I do not want to puff up your post with her nonsense, I am just trying to understand.
I repeat, I am not judging or trying to cause a problem...I would NEVER argue about a faith, following or religion, I just am trying to understand. My original post was not meant to say that the articles or teaching that you were posting were not valid, If you viewed my refrence to my beliefs as being out of line I certainely did not mean to touch a nerve. That was not my intention.
Respectfully,
Lisa
[QUOTE=Cordelia] [QUOTE=LinB]Cordy, I started my journey at Green Gulch many, many years ago. Have followed Darlene's teachings for a long time. In fact we have sitting sangha here in La Penita, Mexico once a week and I just gave a short talk about gossip from one of her teachings. I'm so glad that you've posted these. They're so relevent to everything we all go through each and every day. Lindy[/QUOTE]
If all of you who are staunch church goers want to have a go at me for expressing my opinion then go right ahead. I'm not sure it is what Jesus would have done though.
[/QUOTE]
Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Easy...I just re -read you post. I have no intention to arguing my faith. Never would with anybody. I would share if someone was interested. I was just trying to learn and understand yours. I can see this is way to sensitive a subject for you. I can not see in my original post where I was looking to argue or debate Christianity. Good grief...relax.......I could careless who you get inspired from, was just interested......I am done.
IO, dearest...it is too late here and I need to get some sleep, so I don't have time to respond to you in depth.
Does it matter? Whether Buddhism is a religion or not?
My sole purpose in posting these articles is that Darlene has done this disease for 30 years...I suspect she may know more than all of us here. Nothing to do with which religion/philosophy she aligns herself too. Anyone who has survived and managed this goddamn disease for that amount of time, I am absolutely prepared to listen too.
All I know is this...the Buddhists are probably the best trainers of meditation on this planet. Meditation can certainly help anyone with RA manage better.Meditation is healing. It can assist us to handle pain better and be less stressed in general, which as we all know affects our RA hugely. Buddhists are great at helping us learn to train our minds, and in my opinion, beating this thing in our minds is the most important and first real step to managing well and increasing our ability to roll with the punches of RA.
One of my questions to you is, where do you have pain in your body?
I have it everywhere. Every day from my nose to my toes, every single joint and muscle screams at me all day, every day. This is how I live whilst raising a daughter on my own with not much support.
Absolutely anything that comes my way, that may be useful...I am interested in. I have a little girl who needs me and with whom I want to be able to do things with as much as I can.
As far as I am concerned, IO, it's irrelevant whether you understand or not. The people I am posting this stuff for will get major learning and benefit from it regardless.
If the information is not aligned with your religious beliefs and you can't see past that, then this information is not for you. Simple.
I would prefer if you didn't choke up my thread with a religious/philosophy debate. It would be more respectful to me to start a new thread.
Meanwhile, I will continue to post a couple of Darlene's articles, as I get to it.
If you knew me well, IO then you would know that it is not only this information I post. I am an info junkie, lol. Absolutely anything I come across that may be useful to others, I post. See I remember being new to all this, confused and overwhelmed. And it was through knowledge and information that I learnt to manage my RA the best way I could.
I re-state;
You missed my intentions completely. I do not know how else to explain myself. I told you I thought your articles were interesting. I feel like I got jumped because I stated I am not into Buddha...well I am not into alot of things, but I do have an open mind and I believe there is a lot of good to be gleened from alot of diffrent avenues.
I apologise for offending you. That was not my intention.
If someone asked me to explain my belief structure I would not be offended.
I also hurt everywhere, and I balance RA wich is new to me along with MS wich I have had for years.So I can comiserate with your pain. I still believe you have a sweet spirit, like I stated from the beginning.
Sleep Well,
Lisa
inflamedOnline2008-12-29 07:54:03Want to add, I never wanted to debate anything. Was just commenting on your post.
Lisa
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]I re-state;
You missed my intentions completely. I do not know how else to explain myself. I told you I thought your articles were interesting. I feel like I got jumped because I stated I am not into Buddha...well I am not into alot of things, but I do have an open mind and I believe there is a lot of good to be gleened from alot of diffrent avenues.
I apologise for offending you. That was not my intention.
If someone asked me to explain my belief structure I would not be offended.
I also hurt everywhere, and I balance RA wich is new to me along with MS wich I have had for years.So I can comiserate with your pain. I still believe you have a sweet spirit, like I stated from the beginning.
Sleep Well,
Lisa
[/QUOTE]
Sounds to me like you're just a sh*t-stirrer and a lot of people have become wise to you, I can tell that by reading their posts about you!
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]Want to add, I never wanted to debate anything. Was just commenting on your post.
Lisa
[/QUOTE]
Brown-noser, suck up, you're losing ground in this forum! You can't insult people and then expect them to "be your friend".
My words were not insulting.
And in reading your posts again, IO...I have some additions:
I am not a Buddhist. I do not consider myself Buddhist - many lay and monastic people do but not me. Like I said I think Buddhists are the best meditation and mind training teachers on earth.
If the Buddhist principles help me in managing my life and my disease, then fabulous. And they have. Many other things have also helped me like - massage, hydrotherapy, swimming etc etc. As far as I am concerned, it's whether the information is helpful when put into practice is the most important thing.
What concerns me about your reaction to the articles, is that you completely missed the content of them and whether the information was useful or not. All you saw was Christianity versus Buddhism. Nothing else. The useful principles and guidelines in the articles were completely overlooked by you, which is why I believe if you read information and don't gel with it then it is probably info that is not for you. Simple.
No, it is not a sensitive subject, I just believe strongly that all of us have the basic human right to choose which religion or philosophy we want align ourselves with. I do not think that it is right for one group to decide that their way is the one way and coerce others into believing that if they don't comply then they are not 'saved'. Yep, I have a problem with that.
As for my comment about staunch churchgoers on here, that comes from something happened a long time ago when I dared to use the words: goddamn, for god's sake and various other basic harmless forms of expression and was hounded for 'taking the Lord's name in vain". In AU that is not even considered swearing, which I rarely do anyway.
So after that I imagined posting some RA articles from a Buddhist teacher would likely cause quite a fuss. As it did.
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]Good grief...relax.......I could careless who you get inspired from, was just interested......I am done.
[/QUOTE]
Well, I am glad you couldn't care less who inspires me.
Honestly, that was just plain rude.
But guess what? Some people on here do care who I get inspired from because they know I am very caring and compassionate person so I will want to share any information that I come across. They also know I am emotionally intelligent and insightful. And that I care and support my fellow RAer's consistently.
Good Morning Cordy, on this thread you need not explain yourself. We know you and understand. The thread is already muddied but the teachings still shine through. Lindy
Posted by Cordelia : As far as I am concerned, IO, it's irrelevant whether you understand or not. The people I am posting this stuff for will get major learning and benefit from it regardless.
Originally posted by inflamedOnline
Good grief...relax.......I could careless who you get inspired from, was just interested......I am done.
Was just responding to your blown out rude responses to me. I am willing to agree to disagree. I wonder why your passion is valid and mine is not? Wait I know, I am the person everyone loves to hate on this board....perfect. Can't even have an intelligent conversation. Most people would love to explore and explain their deep beliefes, values, etc. Yuo never gave me a chance. Thank you for that.
Cordy, I sent you a PM. Lindy
[QUOTE=LinB]
Good Morning Cordy, on this thread you need not explain yourself. We know you and understand. The thread is already muddied but the teachings still shine through. Lindy
[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Lindy. I do know I don't have to explain myself and also that people who know me understand. Sometimes though I just feel like saying what I think and I can't seem to hold it back at the moment. It seems to be connected with Mum's death and my loss.
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]
Posted by Cordelia : As far as I am concerned, IO, it's irrelevant whether you understand or not. The people I am posting this stuff for will get major learning and benefit from it regardless.
Good grief...relax.......I could careless who you get inspired from, was just interested......I am done.
Was just responding to your blown out rude responses to me. I am willing to agree to disagree. I wonder why your passion is valid and mine is not? Wait I know, I am the person everyone loves to hate on this board....perfect. Can't even have an intelligent conversation. Most people would love to explore and explain their deep beliefes, values, etc. Yuo never gave me a chance. Thank you for that.
[/QUOTE]
IO, I have never participated in the hate campaign against you on here. That is not who I am.
Your passion is valid. I just object to people grabbing Jesus Christ by the ankles and belting people around the head with him until they accept that someone's version of spiritual guidance is the ONLY way.
Posting these articles was never about discussing my beliefs. I posted them because they had vital information about surviving RA in them. That's all.
Originally posted by inflamedOnline
Good grief...relax.......I could careless who you get inspired from, was just interested......I am done.
Was just responding to your blown out rude responses to me. I am willing to agree to disagree. I wonder why your passion is valid and mine is not? Wait I know, I am the person everyone loves to hate on this board....perfect. Can't even have an intelligent conversation. Most people would love to explore and explain their deep beliefes, values, etc. Yuo never gave me a chance. Thank you for that.
[/QUOTE]
IO, I have never participated in the hate campaign against you on here. That is not who I am.
Your passion is valid. I just object to people grabbing Jesus Christ by the ankles and belting people around the head with him until they accept that someone's version of spiritual guidance is the ONLY way.
Posting these articles was never about discussing my beliefs. I posted them because they had vital information about surviving RA in them. That's all.
[/QUOTE]
Exscuse me?....rest assured if I was to "grab Jesus by the ankles"...it would not be to belt anybody with Him...What the heck are you yammering about?...you see I just don't get it...what exactly did I say that offended you so Cordy?... Break down my first post and tell me where I was swinging anything by the ankles, let alone "bashing heads"..This is another very stupid thread......Lorster, your just a pot stirring Ass.
Lisa
IO, please do not blame this mess on me. Yeah, I was here but I was not the one that stuck my foot in my mouth.Geez IO, let it go...why must you keep dragging this on and on? Who's the pot-stirrer here? Shut up about it already, let it go![QUOTE=lorster]IO, please do not blame this mess on me. Yeah, I was here but I was not the one that stuck my foot in my mouth.[/QUOTE]
Lorster, I can understand that you have no tolerance for religion since you told me you deny Jesus Christ everyday, but I never made this about religion the people who oppose my very first post on this thread have made this about religion.
Further more, I stuck nothing in my mouth. I can not believe how rude this all is. So let me get this straight, It is ok to offer up articles by a Buddha teacher, but it is completely wrong to thank someone for posting them, and then to politely mention an area of belief that is accepted by billions of people world wide. Who has the narrow mind? Maybe my comment about All good things coming from Jesus Christ might of helped someone reading it........ And to my imposter, I will do as I please. I have told you that before.
There seems to be a zero tolerance policy by some. That is real kind , loving, way to be.
Just thought I'd point that out. I am done with this thread.
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]There seems to be a zero tolerance policy by some. That is real kind , loving, way to be.
Just thought I'd point that out. I am done with this thread.
[/QUOTE]
I remember a time not too long ago when you were one of those with the zero tolerance policy and rallied behind those that are now turning on you. And since when were you ever kind & loving to all, I think you are very selective with whom you support and are kind & loving to. You reap what you sow...maybe you're finally getting what is coming your way?!
IO, I liked you better when you were Audrey.[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]
So let me get this straight, It is ok to offer up articles by a Buddha teacher, but it is completely wrong to thank someone for posting them, and then to politely mention an area of belief that is accepted by billions of people world wide. Who has the narrow mind? Maybe my comment about All good things coming from Jesus Christ might of helped someone reading it........ [/QUOTE]
So true!
Inflamed, you did absolutely nothing wrong. I thought your original post was polite, well-meaning, and I agreed with every word.
kweenb2008-12-29 17:21:39[QUOTE=kweenb][QUOTE=inflamedOnline]
So let me get this straight, It is ok to offer up articles by a Buddha teacher, but it is completely wrong to thank someone for posting them, and then to politely mention an area of belief that is accepted by billions of people world wide. Who has the narrow mind? Maybe my comment about All good things coming from Jesus Christ might of helped someone reading it........ [/QUOTE]
So true!
Inflamed, you did absolutely nothing wrong. I thought your original post was polite, well-meaning, and I agreed with every word.
[/QUOTE]
THANK YOU! I appreciate the kindness.
I didn't see a single thing wrong with IO's response either. I didn't think she was shoving anything down anyone's throat.
Thank you Phats,
I really was just confused after the "definition" of Buddhism was said it was NOT a religion.
I would of question the poster that first pointed it out, but Cordy followed up and agreed, and since it was her post I asked her, I tried to PM her, but was ignored or she missed a request to clear a mail box.
I do not look to change someone’s faith, nor do I push mine on anyone.
I keep a open mind, my mistake was sharing what I shared, I honestly thought it was no big deal. I would never shove Christianity on anyone, That is not what I do as Christian.
Christianity is a way of life for me, (even though I fall short), as I imagined following Buddha teachings is. I honestly do not know much about Buddha as I stated from the beginning, now I am sure I don't want to learn about it. So Cordy, I apologized yesterday, and today again I am sorry for offending you and others. Something I had never intended to do.
Lisa
IO, inflamedOnline: "even though I fall short"??????
Judging from most of your posts on here, you are a POOR example of a Christian, people like you give real Christians a very bad name.
And enough of the sucking up, it's pathetic! You sound so desparate to "belong" and have friends in here, when really these people are anything but friendly & loyal.
You're so entertaining to watch!
I was sincere, how you view it is of no concern to me, you are the epitome of an ass.[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]I was sincere, how you view it is of no concern to me, you are the epitome of an ass.[/QUOTE]
Like I said, you're a BAD example!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Personally, I think the only reason this turned into a "free for all" against Inflamed is because of two words. Jesus Christ. Ask yourself, would it have offended anyone if Inflamed's first post had said:
I am not into Buddha, but if the articles help someone; that is nice of you Cordy.
. I will peek into your articles as you
post them. Have a good day!
Hey Cordy. I have had RA for 11 years now. On those days when doing the simplest chore seemed impossible, I tried to find peace with that simple chore. I had never heard of Darlene Cohen until today and now I want to thank-you for introducing me to her. She put a voice to the things I could not. Tears came to my eyes when I read "I can cut carrots".
Thanks, Cordy
Thank you, Waddie and it's for you and the many like you that I put this information out there.
IO, I am not prepared to debate anything with you. What I did not like was you making this post about religion/philosophy in the first place. And I am actually really angry at you for doing so.
You initial post was polite but what I don't like is your patronizing attitude in general.
This thread was not about you, IO, you seem to think it was?
It was about helping others to cope with this illness by suggesting some ideas as we do all the time on here.
Instead you have hijacked the thread and made it all about you....for god's sake.
kweenb - I have no problem with Jesus Christ at all. I believe in God. I pray. This post was not about whether Buddhism was a religion or not, it was about sharing information from someone who is very experienced with this disease? Sorry, if that offended you somehow.
I have some great parenting information that I love, it is written by two psychologists called Cloud and Townsend. It has been very valuable to me. Oh, and by the way, they are both Christians and use their faith as a basis for the books. This is brilliant information that's all that is important.
The same with Darlene, it isn't about whether or not she is Buddhist or not, it's about whether the information is useful.
SnowOwl, you didn't start anything, darl, IO did. I believe Christianity isn't a religion either. I believe it's a philosophy also. Jesus was a teacher. He showed us examples of how we should behave and run our lives.
I find this so interesting, in general. Many of you know me well, I am kind and compassionate. Why?
Because I choose to be that way. I choose to do no harm. I choose to turn the other cheek etc. I practice what I preach.
Lately though, I have also needed to say what I think somewhat. I find it so interesting that when I say what I think...people then treat me like I am being aggressive.
Now, if anyone here wants to talk about religion/philosophy etc with me, then please PM me and I would be happy to do so.
[QUOTE=Cordelia]
kweenb - I have no problem with Jesus Christ at all. I believe in God. I pray. This post was not about whether Buddhism was a religion or not, it was about sharing information from someone who is very experienced with this disease? Sorry, if that offended you somehow.
[/QUOTE]
What makes you think I was offended by you posting those articles? I never said that. If those articles help you and others, that is great. I have stated on this board many times that people should do *whatever* it takes to help them deal with RA. As I said before, what bothered me is the attack that happened against Inflamed. You posted articles from someone that helped you deal with your RA. What Inflamed did was mention what helped her. She has every right to state that her help came from Jesus Christ. I didn't see her post as being out of line or off-topic. Help is help.
Hi Cordelia,
I wanted to thank you for these articles. I have recently started doing yoga mudras that are done with your hands only so it is easier for me. They have helped. I am also looking into meditation as a way of centering myself.
This disease is so awful, causes so much pain, and I will do anything to alleviate it. I would like to by summer be in a better place than I am now.
I feel that we should try everything that we can. If someone told me standing on my head would make me feel better I probably would do it. That would sure be a sight
I wish you a Happy New Year filled with love, happiness and most of all good health!
Dalmatinka: I am glad you got something out of them. There is little doubt that meditation can help use RAer's both emotionally and physically. Keep exploring your yoga too, it can be very beneficial for some people.
Kweenb: I had no real problem with IO initial post either. What I find difficult is her general attitude. The post below is a good example of it.
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]
Cordy,
I am not sure how to say this......please go back and re-read...somewhere....somehow..this got totally whacked...I have apologized for what I believe is a misunderstanding ...I have stated it was never my intentions...I never wanted you to get all upset...Frankly...my "whatever" statement still stands...I feel, I could turn Buddha at this point and it would not change a thing...let it go...you posted your articles...go focus on that. Leave me alone.
Edited: typo
inflamedOnline2008-12-31 08:26:42IO, YOU need to let it go, geez, is it really THAT important to you? People here are really getting tired of your sh*t!!!
[QUOTE=Cordelia]
Kweenb: I had no real problem with IO initial post either. What I find difficult is her general attitude. The post below is a good example of it.
[QUOTE=inflamedOnline]
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