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TED Talk Tuesday: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain

Being mostly introvert myself, Susan Cain’s TED talk on the power of introverts impacted me deeply. While the world seems to honor extroverts strongly, Susan Cain makes a great case for the more quiet and contemplative of us. As she points out, in a culture where being social and outgoing are prized highly, it can be difficult and even shameful to be an introvert. But

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Mindful Minute: The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation by Chogyam Trungpa

“Meditation is working with our speed, our restlessness, our constant busyness. Meditation provides space or ground in which restlessness might function, might have room to be restless, might relax by being restless. If we do not interfere with restlessness, then restlessness becomes part of the space. We do not control or attach the desire to catch our next tail.

Meditation practice is not a matter

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A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg

Forever Relevant

I have recently read, once again, A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg. This book touched me deeply – as it did years ago when I first read it. With grace and clarity, Anne Morrow Lindberg touches on and explores problems that trouble the human heart – giving the reader form and shape to possible lessons and learning on simplicity, solitude

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Handling Difficult Moments: It Can Be As Easy As Breathing In And Out

Like any new habit, the more you integrate mindfulness into your day, the stronger it becomes and the more likely it is to be accessible during difficult moments. This may sound too simple to be impactful – again, see if you can be curious and simply notice – setting aside your judgments and allow your experience to guide your way.

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TEDTalk Tuesday: The Art of Listening by Kathleen Macferran

As a former conductor of a symphony, Kathleen Macferran knows well how to listen for musical beauty and how to hear harmony…from the podium. She wondered, though, if she could learn to listen as well in the other places of her life that made listening more difficult…such as prisons and schools. Could listening be a pathway to beauty off the podium? She decided to do a bit of experimenting.

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Mindful Minute: Living Your Best Life by Susan Hanson

What might my life be like if I were true to myself? If I moved in a rhythm that was my own, allowing it all to be okay? And what might my life be like if I embraced the beauty of this blessed earth? What if it were enough to be alive …and to be present to the world? I ask this question of all of us: what if we let go of urgency and the need to accomplish? What if we were wise: doing what was truly needed – like loving or forgiving – and letting that be enough? Tasks will get done. But loving life all over again everyday: what if that were our true calling?

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You Are Not Your Pain

More than a self-help book, You Are Not Your Pain provides insight into the very nature of the mind and its relationship with the body. This book and audio offering, co-authored by Danny Penman, is an 8-week program that guides you through daily meditations to assist you in learning how to alter your mind’s response to pain.

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Part III - Hakomi Healing Balm for the World

The ultimate goal of the Hakomi Method of Therapy is the discovery of the possible, the transformation of limiting self-imposed beliefs, and the empowerment that results from new freedom and new options. Perhaps the biggest picture of all is found in how the world works. The skills and principles of Hakomi seem to be what is needed for people everywhere to understand our essential interconnectedness and our responsibility for the care and healing of each other and the planet. A healing balm for mankind? I think so.

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TEDxTalk Tuesday: Migration of Mindfulness – Cave to Corporation by Greg Burdulis

In his TEDTalk, Migration of Mindfulness – Cave to Corporation, Greg Burdulis underscores the importance, in the corporate world as well as in life, of listening deeply, having a quiet and calm mind, nurturing an open and enhanced heart, and learning to be respectful of our bodies. Mindfulness – or being truly present for our lives, in the moment– will allow more happiness to “ripple out to others in the workplace.” Awareness of our bodies, minds and hearts will enhance the effectiveness of our decisions in the world we all live in.

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Mindful Minute: Kindness, The Currency of True Wealth by Jim Carrey

I wish people could realize all their dreams of wealth and fame so they can see that it’s not where you’re going to find your sense of completion. The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. —Jim Carrey

I found this statement by Jim Carrey powerful and reaffirming. For so long I believed I HAD to accomplish great things in

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The Lonely Goose

As I approach my senior years, I find myself wondering: what will I be like in 20 years? Will I be a person that others ignore for the flock of younger more appealing people? Will my life matter? Will I be rejected or will I enjoy a sense of belonging? And so today, this lonely goose is teaching me a valuable lesson: treat everyone with love and compassion, never abandoning a human being for what they might be lacking. And to notice why I am drawn to some people and not to others. And to continually open my heart to all of mankind, offering acceptance and connection, hospitality and community.

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Part II - The Hakomi Experience

Hakomi takes place in a loving and compassionate environment so that safety and trust may be established. In this healing container, it is safe to be vulnerable and for hurtful wounds and memories to emerge. And so Hakomi is a nourishing form of therapy that allows a person to recall missing experiences – experiences that didn’t happen while growing up but that now can be healed, making way for a life of freedom, meaning and deep joy.

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TEDxTalk Tuesday: All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes by Andy Puddicombe

As a practitioner of mindfulness and a long time educator of mindfulness meditation, I’ve learned a lot over the years. And I’m still learning – a lot. So it was when I took a bit of time and watched a Ted Talk on mindfulness. No matter how much I know, I can always learn more…and I did. Andy Puddicombe’s talk on “All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes” was inspiring and motivational.

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Mindful Minute: The Power of Silence

“Stop talking, stop thinking, and there is nothing you will not understand.” —Seng-Ts’an

This lovely quote reminds me, once again, to stop and be silent in my life. When I do stop, I realize how much thinking goes on in my mind and how much talking, in one way or another, happens, clouding my clarity and creating “noise” in my life.

Recently I was feeling

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Being Alive

Our thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations change moment to moment. Our breath, though, is constantly here – available to us, while we are alive. What if breathing in and out became a blessing? What if being alive was enough? In the song “I’m Alive” by Kenny Chesney (joined by Dave Mathews), we are invited to embrace breathing as a blessing; and being alive as a gift. The message is simple yet profound: choosing to dwell in gratitude and aliveness rather than in regret and disappointment. I invite you to take a listen and ask yourself: what would it take for breathing in and out to be a blessing in my life and for today to be enough?

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Self-Compassion: The True Way to Self-Esteem

Today I want to share an article with you entitled: “Don’t Fall into the Self-Esteem Trap: Try a Little Self-Kindness” by Kristin Neff, PhD. Dr. Neff is the author of Self-Compassion and co-founder of the eight week Mindful Self-Compassion Training Program. In her article she speaks to the angst that many of us experience in modern life: No matter how hard we try, no matter

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Part I - What Is Hakomi?

Hakomi utilizes the present moment as a rapid and experiential access route to unconscious material. Guided by the principles of mindfulness and gentleness, the Hakomi method is compassionate and respectful and therefore a powerful form of personal exploration that uses the wisdom of the body to pursue core evolution and deepen awareness that goes beyond simple insight. The ultimate goal of Hakomi is the discovery of the possible, the transformation of limiting self-imposed beliefs, and personal empowerment, which results from new freedom and new options.

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TEDxTalk Tuesday: Happy Maps – Finding Joy on a Different Path

As I prepared to listen to TEDxBarcelona “Happy Maps” featuring Daniele Quercia, I wondered why I was drawn to this talk. At Yahoo! Labs in Barcelona, Daniele and his colleagues imagined new ways to use online maps to improve our lives. While his talk had caught my attention, what did it have to do with mindful living? What might I learn that I could share with my readers?

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Mindful Minute: A Piece of Good News by Ugo Betti

“Nothing else matters so much, to reassure one another, to answer each other. Everyone has inside himself – what shall I call it? A piece of good news.” —Ugo Betti. What is your “piece of good news”? Would you be willing to share it here? Mine is: I deeply love this beautiful world. Your turn…

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Procrastination… the Art of Hesitation

Procrastination enables us to understand the true measure of our reluctance. It helps us to become friends with our own waiting …to learn from our hesitation…and to allow what is truly worthwhile to simmer and become rich and ripe within us (no matter how long it takes).

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