A fresh perspective can help us to see ourselves and our lives more clearly. It’s easy to become stuck in a rut of routine, but sometimes introducing something a bit more colorful into our days can shake things up and help us to see things differently. Our mind’s tendency is to develop habitual patterns—to hold […]
Finding refuge in silence and stillness offers fertile ground of personal and spiritual growth for those who are courageous enough to traverse the terrain. Many are busy filling time with the “noisy company and pandemonium” of busy activity or numbing substances to chase away the fear. Fear seeks noisy company and pandemonium to scare away […]
Dealing with anger mindfully takes effort and practice. Anger is a complex emotion that can serve to protect us from harm or motivate us to set appropriate limits, create healthy boundaries, or create change in our lives. However, if we hold onto anger without expressing it and releasing it, it can negatively affect our health. […]
Seeking joy nurtures positive emotional and mental states and nurtures health and wellbeing. Our true nature is to feel happy and at peace. At times we become so entangled with the details and struggles that life presents that we do not pause to experience joy. Mindfulness practice enables us to practice seeking joy, noticing it, […]
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 […]