Category: Mindfulness

4 Little-Known Reasons to Study and Practice Mindfulness Meditation  1. Differentiation: The classical guidelines for practicing mindfulness meditation, according to the   Sutta (Four Foundation of Mindfulness), is to chunk our experience into categories, a process called “differentiation” in psychology. By categorizing our experience, life becomes more manageable, and self-awareness increases. For example, imagine a person […]

It’s been said that when the Buddha was asked what the difference was between folks on the path of waking up, and those not on the path, the Buddha first shared what everyone has in common – we all get hit by “first arrows”. That is, everyone gets hurt from time to time. This, he […]

Ouch! We’ve all said it. We’ve all felt it. Hurting is part of being human. But that doesn’t mean any of us like it; in fact, we often do everything we can to avoid pain. It’s hardwired, part of our survival programming. But avoiding pain, or avoiding feeling or examining it, can cause more harm, to […]

We know regular practice is good for us, but knowing doesn’t always lead to doing. Earlier this month Anne Phyfe Palmer shared an insight from one her teachers, that if  “practice is a magnet, you’ll always be drawn to it.” How can we magnetize our practices as a way to nurture regular practice? Here are […]

Even the idea of sitting in meditation can spark discomfort – imaginations of an achy body, restless mind, challenging emotions… Thich Nhat Hahn  offers an alternative. Just taking our seat, he posits, is an opportunity to arrive into joy. “When you sit, sit in such a way that you feel you have already arrived. To […]

We all possess powers and gifts that, when expressed, have a positive impact on more than just ourselves – an ease in appreciating beauty or tenderness, an ability to speak out against hurtful acts, the capacity to see a project through, etc. Earlier this month Anne Phyfe Palmer wrote about the yogic concept tapas, energy […]

As I write this I’m looking out into my yard and seeing a lot of weeds. Considering what to do about this I’m reminded, weeds are a lot like stress – they’re most effectively managed through regular tending. Tending that may or may not spark dramatic results in the moment, but over time does foster […]

“I want to do with you what spring does with cherry trees.” – Pablo Neruda Yoga in its full expression is a lifestyle. It invites us to fully express our being by nurturing our bodies and minds, in the context of an interconnected and natural world. Ayurveda (Yoga’s sister science), offers a wonderful tool to […]

Whether you’re in the home stretch of your 28-day commitment, in the midst of a busy week or not quite sure if your head is fully aligned with your heart, it can be helpful to feel into where you stand, so that you may then respond in kind. Here are four ways to skillfully and […]

A couple years back, during a guided meditation on retreat, I was given the prompt, “Why are you here?” I don’t remember exactly how I silently answered that question but I think it was something along the lines of, to deepen my meditation practice. Whatever it was, it was a pretty standard response for the setting. And […]