Practicing mindfulness in difficult times can help us to cope more skillfully and be resilient during times of future stress. Some of the habitual patterns of the mind during difficult times include denial, anger or wanting things to be other than they are. Mindful Resilience in Difficult Times Mindfulness practice teaches us that skillfully turning […]
It is possible for us all to learn how to reduce stress. If you’re feeling incredibly stressed after the 2016 election, you’re not alone. This election highlighted the divisions in the US political culture and seemed to bring out the best in some people and the worst in others. Following are some suggestions for how […]
We all have invisible wounds as a byproduct of being human. The depth of our pain often comes as a result of the things we do to turn away from our pain. When we turn toward ourselves with kindness and care, we not only nurture the possibility for healing our invisible wounds, we also open […]
Rebecca Solnit is one of the most inspiring writers that I know. Here are some things that are inspiring me this week: Rebecca Solnit A Field Guide to Getting Lost (and all of her work) Hojicha green tea The sound of rain Pastel colors of sunset over the ocean My favorite Retro51 fountain pen (discontinued […]
Emotional coping is a skill that all of us can learn with practice. Feeling states tend to come and go. When we learn to cope with difficult emotions states skillfully, we may minimize their tendency to overshadow everything. It’s not the events in our lives that cause our suffering but our reaction to those events. […]
Nourishing your soul can be a soothing and enlivening experience and an expression of mindful self-care. When was the last time you did something to nourish your soul? Sometimes the soul needs a long walk along the shore, through the woods, by a river, or through a park. Sometimes it needs to see blue sky, […]
Do you have a regular mindfulness practice? In my experience, many people want to have a regular practice, but they struggle to develop this. It is one of the biggest struggles that brings meditation students to study with me. Engaging in regular mindfulness practice is at the heart of creating an intentional life, because we […]
Finding hope in grief can sometimes feel challenging. During these times of turmoil and unrest, it is becoming progressively more difficult to remain balanced and hopeful. Violence continues to erupt around the world, and the news fills TV, print media and social media. The U.S. political situation becomes increasingly frightening as the Republican presidential candidate […]
How can make intentional choices for an intentional life? Begin with mindfulness. When we cultivate mindfulness, our self-awareness grows. When we open our hearts and cultivate self-compassion, our compassion for other beings and for the Earth increases. This is the age of the opening of the heart in a more collective way, for only through […]
Valuing health and wellbeing can have a positive effect on your mental and physical wellness. How many of us have truly learned to take 100% responsibility for our own wellness? Many of us are taught to take care of everyone else and often do so at the expense of ourselves. How can we commit to […]