The nature of change is that change is an inherent part of the natural order of things. Everything is impermanent, including all of us. We cling to the changes that we love, and we resist or fight against the changes that cause us suffering. Try to tune in to the rhythms of nature. The leaves […]
The key to overcoming fear is learning how to move through it. When we feel fear, many of us have a tendency to react by pulling back. Fear sometimes warns us of danger and encourages us to protect ourselves, in which case it may be useful to pull back. At other times, fear arises when […]
Trust your intuition. It’s your inner wisdom. If you’re pushing toward something in your life and it just doesn’t feel right, stop and check in with your inner voice. Perhaps you’ve chosen a course of action you think you should take, but it just doesn’t feel right. Maybe you made a decision, but your inner wisdom knows […]
Creating lasting changes can support us in designing a mindful and intentional life that nurtures our wellbeing. How do we create lasting changes? We begin by developing clear intentions about what matters most, about who we want to be in the world, and about what we need to do in order to be that person. […]
How can you be your best self? Who do you want to be in the world? Do you dare to imagine a vision of you as a healthy, peaceful, balanced person physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? Or do you lack a clear vision of yourself at your best but long for one or two aspects […]
Embracing love, we find peace and happiness. Being entangled in judgment and anger, we create suffering. When encountering conflict and/or fear in regards to relationships with others, the tendency may be to judge, blame, or turn away from the other—either emotionally turning away and/or physically turning away, none of which results in the sense of […]
What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. Jon Kabat-Zinn One of my students asked this week, “Jen, what is it that we’re paying attention to?” We’re paying attention to present moment experience. Present moment experience unfolds in three primary ways: through sensations in […]
Opening to a new perspective can help us to reduce stress and increase a sense of peace and happiness. Our lives begin to change the moment we become willing to see things from a new perspective. We sometimes become locked into a rigid way of seeing things in an attempt to protect ourselves from fear, […]
True intimacy is an experience of deeply seeing and being seen, knowing and being known. It is built on a firm foundation of honesty, presence, and trust. In order to experience intimacy with another, we must be willing to become intimate with ourselves, with our own experience. We experience the world through sensations in the […]
Nature awareness mindfulness practices can facilitate a deeper connection with ourselves and nature. This past weekend while walking outdoors, I happened upon a flock of white ibis that flew directly overhead, back and forth three or four times. I felt an overwhelming sense of wonder and awe and a feeling of connection with something much […]