Mindfulness

As the benefits of mindfulness are becoming more widely accepted, and it continues to grow as a practice and influence in our culture, there’s no shortage of resources available to help you begin your own mindfulness journey. These resources can vary in cost and commitment level—from free articles, apps, podcasts, and e-books, to full-length books, one-day workshops, week-long retreats, and 8-week classes.   The variety of formats available make it easy for would-be students to find a good fit, no matter their schedule or preferred learning style.   We understand that everyone learns differently, and that some people might be […]

Mindfulness means different things to different people. For some, it is a means for reducing stress or calming their anxious minds. For others, it is a way to help with the symptoms of chronic illness. Many people use it as a way to feel more engaged in and curious about life. It is viewed in some circles as a way to increase focus and attention and open up space for creativity. In classrooms, it is used to help kids learn and increase emotional intelligence. For me, it was a way to work with a lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression. As

I was not born with a strong patience gene. Before mindfulness, I was always in a hurry. I would honk at cars in the wrong lane, tap my toe in check-out lines, finish peoples’ sentences, and huff and puff when my computer wouldn’t load. Our culture supports this way of being; our hurry-up world is always pushing us. We hear the “do more, be more” messages from parents, teachers, advertisers, and even friends. We internalize these messages, and we can’t escape; life becomes a series of to-do lists. In this constant race for more, we lose our moments, and our

“I meditate so that my mind can’t complicate my life.” —Sri Chinmoy When I realized that our theme this month was “Making Practice Enjoyable,” I felt a stab of fear. Communicating the joy of meditation to people who are just beginning to meditate felt really daunting. Don’t get me wrong; I love meditation, once I get on my cushion. But, just like most meditators, or would-be meditators, getting there is a challenge for me. I can always find something else that needs to be done. Some compelling article to be read, some laundry to do, a class to prepare for…