Kh?jeh Shams-od-D?n Mo?ammad ??fe?-e Sh?r?z? – known by his pen name Hafez or Hafiz – is considered one of the greatest Sufi poets of all time, renowned for his lyrical, mystical, healing poetry. For me, the poem quoted above is deep and beautiful and may be an invitation to let go of our expectations of others – of our sense of being owed something by
Continue reading » Unconditional Love
Have you ever wondered how it might be possible to personally and easily change your mood – or internal state? From feelings of mild sadness to deep depression and loneliness, our emotions and body state can, at times, severely impact our enjoyment of daily living. Living life to the fullest is, often, only a dream for some people who suffer from a
Continue reading » Book Review: Mindsight by Dr. Dan Seigel
Hakomi experiential therapy is a gentle, respectful method that allows one to access deep, core material, opening the possibility for awareness and transformation. So what does Hakomi Therapy “look like” in real life? The following is an example of one person’s experience with a Hakomi session: one where kindness and compassion, patience and pausing (and a
Continue reading » Part IV – Hakomi in Action
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
Continue reading » TED Talk Tuesday: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain
“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
Continue reading » Mindful Minute: The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation by Chogyam Trungpa
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,
Continue reading » A Gift from the Sea
Let’s face it, we are only human, right? And as humans, we are hardwired to solve problems and handle difficult and trying moments in life. This is how we have evolved as a species and how we have accomplished what we have so far. Problem solving is an essential and necessary part of life. But contrary to the brain’s belief, life is not a problem to be
Continue reading » Handling Difficult Moments
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. In this thought provoking talk, Kathleen Macferran explores the power of listening to open doors and potentially to transform people. As a former conductor of a symphony, Kathleen Macferran knows well how to listen for musical beauty and how to hear harmony...from the
Continue reading » TEDTalk Tuesday: The Art of Listening by Kathleen Macferran
“What might my life be like were I to give in to the rhythms of my own ragged dance? Like this, I imagine, walking down the trail, past grapevines and wine cups and huisache blooming in the sun. Just like this attentiveness, this pleasure, this being present to the world.” —Susan Hanson This quote speaks to me for one basic and very important reason: it
Continue reading » Mindful Minute: Living Your Best Life by Susan Hanson
Have you ever heard yourself say: “I can’t stand this pain any longer!” (And meant it)? Perhaps you experience your perspective on your world as colored by discomfort - a constant ache or tightness that is pressing in and making life difficult to enjoy or even to manage. It might even be that you are a victim of a serious accident or illness with pain being
Continue reading » You Are Not Your Pain
