Stop trying to be perfect. In moments we become attached to wanting things to be other than they are instead of accepting what is. A part of this wanting is the craving for perfection. We create unattainably high standards for ourselves and others, and the result is that we stay stuck in fear and inaction. […]
Trust yourself. Our inner knowing reveals itself in feelings of ease or unease in the body and opening or closing of the heart. When we’re sure of something, if we listen inside, we can detect a quiet whisper of, “yes.” And when we begin to feel doubt, our minds engage in the chatter of uncertainty. […]
Beginner’s mind means that we approach whatever is here in the moment as though we are approaching it for the first time. We meet what is unfolding in the present moment with mindful awareness, kindness, and curiosity. When we let go of what was, we find freedom to be in the present moment without preconceived […]
Letting go can bring an enormous sense of spaciousness and freedom. Sometimes we cling to things, because we find comfort in the familiar and we cling to objects or memories in hopes of soothing ourselves during moments of fear or anxiety. In practicing letting go, we remind ourselves that life really is about being present […]
Begin your year with mindfully creating new year intentions. Perhaps you desire to open your heart, make self-care or wellness a priority, or discover your purpose. Don’t hold back, and dream big when you’re creating your new year intentions! Consider what you’ve been putting off, and set an intention to make 2013 your year to […]
Responding to violence with compassion does not often come naturally. When we hear news of violence, it puts us in contact with our own vulnerability to suffering and loss. We tend to react with either fear or anger. If we look more deeply, we can see that reacting with anger is our own attempt to […]
When we focus on the good, we cultivate positive emotional states. Energy flows toward where we direct our attention. Whatever we rest our attention on grows. If we want to cultivate positive mental and emotional states, we can do this by seeking, noticing, and savoring the good experiences in our lives. We don’t do this […]
Opening your heart to the beauty that surrounds you on this Earth can support healing for the body, heart, and mind. Morning birdsong is an abiding occurrence, a daily reminder of the flowing nature of this life pulsing through the body. Like the coming and going of breath, birdsong rises and falls, both within a […]
Bird meditation is one of the most grounding meditation practices for me. On most days, I wake to silence long before the sun rises and sit with the sound of my own breath coming and going, reflecting the changing nature of all things. In winter, the first sounds are those of the stop and go […]
Practicing gratitude can support us in cultivating positive emotional and mental states and nurturing our sense of wellbeing. By simply staying here, we relax more and more into the open dimension of our being. –Pema Chodron The brain has a negativity bias, which means that it focuses more attention on what is wrong than on […]