Buddha Had It Right: Relax The Mind And Productivity Will Follow. “The great enigma for psychologists and philosophers is the mind.”
--Bhante Wimala Several decades ago, the term ‘mindfulness’ used to imply Eastern mysticism related to the spiritual journey of a person, originated by Gautama Buddha. Buddhists believe that being ‘well, happy, and peaceful’ comes from practicing ‘mindful’ living. Today, from self-help gurus to business leaders, and scientists to politicians, many talk about mindfulness. According to various prominent psychological definitions: Mindfulness has been described as “bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis” (Marlatt & Kristeller, 1999) And as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994). The scientific community now believes that by practicing daily mindfulness we can take advantage of the neuroplasticity of our brains and thereby improve the state of our lives.
Living in the Moment. In It Together. The mountains and rivers of the immediate present are the manifestation of the path of the ancient buddhas.
Because they are the self before the emergence of signs, they are the penetrating liberation of ultimate reality. Master Daokai said, “Green mountains are forever walking. A stone woman bears a child by night.” The Top 10 Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Posts of 2012. Whether this is your first time you’re coming here or you’ve been around for the almost four years I’ve been writing The Mindfulness and Psychotherapy column, I want to share a personal moment of gratitude and say “Thank You” for being a part of this community.
This was a big year for this column, it will become 4 years old and is also the year that The Now Effect. More than good vibes: Researchers propose the science behind mindfulness. Achieving mindfulness through meditation has helped people maintain a healthy mind by quelling negative emotions and thoughts, such as desire, anger and anxiety, and encouraging more positive dispositions such as compassion, empathy and forgiveness.
Those who have reaped the benefits of mindfulness know that it works. But how exactly does it work? Where Mindfulness Fails. Over cups of coffee a few days ago, my friend Larry Berkelhammer and I discussed mindfulness meditation.
For some reason, I felt moved to criticize Western mindfulness instruction as “derivative.” Larry served as a good foil to my rant, since as explained in the ‘About Dr. Berkelhammer‘ section of his website, he has a long, distinguished history of practicing mindful meditation and teaching it to those with chronic illness. Let me admit up front that I was tossing out an ill-formed opinion that stands contrary to truth. Making Mindfulness Work. Whether we’re struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma or existential angst, most of us are looking for what really helps?
To make any change we have to cultivate an awareness of what’s happening and in this awareness we access the possibility of choice to try something different. But while mindfulness is a simple practice, it’s not always so easy to practice it in our lives. Dreaming in Images. 20 Instructions for Life by The Dalai Lama. Once dismissed as pretentious but now brain scans prove Eastern philosophies can be effective in treating mental illness. By ERICA CAMUS Updated: 14:38 GMT, 26 July 2012 Meditation is sitting around trying to think about nothing and letting out the occasional ‘ommmm’. They do lots of it in India and in parts of Islington where they eat granola, too. OK, those are sweeping statements but you catch my drift. Right Now: Get Your Daily Judgments in Check.
We all have them; they’re the most prevalent thoughts in our heads at times.
The Happiest People Don't Have the Best of Everything. Throughout our lives we’ve been interpreting and making meaning out of all kinds of events.
Every event by itself is just an event, but the way we see it, the importance we give it, how it weaves into the fabric of our cells makes all the difference. Mindfulness Meditation: Why to Do It and How to Do It. When I became chronically ill, I had a meditation schedule that I'd set in stone ten years before: twice a day for 45 minutes each time (even on my children's wedding days!).
Instead of accommodating my illness by adjusting my meditation schedule, I just quit meditating altogether. It took me over ten years of illness to finally accept that I needed to be flexible. And so, I've started meditating again. How to develop self-compassion. Day 11 – fuck mindfulness. I was talking to a friend the other day; she thinks in addition to that monkey mind rattling around in our heads is a lizard brain.
This one driven not by incessant thinking and chatter, but by primordial instinct and emotion. This lizard brain doesn’t even pretend at reason; its voice is shouting wordless feelings about jealousy, hurt, fear, rage. Attaining Mental Clarity and Joy through Meditation? Mindfulness Exercises. Awareness: A Key Piece in the Procrastination Puzzle. Online Insomnia Therapy via Skype. Chronic insomnia is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans. It is estimated that at least 10% of the adult population suffers from chronic insomnia and 30-50% suffer from episodes of insomnia that are clearly related to emotional stress , anxiety and depression . Of course, there are physical factors that can contribute to insomnia and if you suspect that there is an underlying medical condition such as sleep apnea or that you insomnia is related to the medicines that you are taking then you should consult with your doctor.
But, for most people insomnia results from overactive thinking and anxiety. Michael Sigman: Is This the Antidote to Reactivity? Free at last: Is President Obama's prajna finally trumping his shenpa? Jesse Ventura might want to take up meditation (or at least a deep breath) before going public next time things don't go his way. The former Minnesota governor displayed the downside of hair-trigger reactivity last week when, after a court rejected his lawsuit against the TSA, he threatened to both apply for Mexican citizenship and run for the American Presidency.
(The wrestling icon/conspiracy theorist also vowed never again to stand up for a national anthem, a move that was sure to have an impact on, uh, him.) Why Mindfulness Meditation Makes Us Healthier. Previous research on mindfulness meditation has shown that it aids in lowering blood pressure, improves immune system and brain function and minimizes pain sensitivity. A new review of past literature on mindfulness now breaks down what exactly it is about the practice that seems to have these beneficial effects. Researchers defined mindfulness as "the nonjudgmental awareness of experiences in the present moment" in the Perspectives on Psychological Science study. They identified the four acting components of mindfulness meditation: regulation of attention, body awareness, self-awareness and regulation of emotion. Each of these elements helps us in different aspects of our lives, according to the study. Rick Hanson, Ph.D.: Simple Ways to Soothe the Anxious Brain.
The Post-Mindful Era: I Have a Dream. CE Courses - NP0010 New Perspectives on Practice: Is Mindfulness Enough? David Nichtern: Mindfulness Can Give Your Brain an Edge. When we practice mindfulness meditation, one of the first things we notice is how un-mindful we are. Mindful observations of feelings and thoughts. 2 Must-Try Mindfulness Practices. “Just as an untamed elephant can do damage, trampling crops and injuring people, so the untamed, capricious mind can cause harm to us and those around us.” Follow a Threshold Ritual - Gretchen Rubin - The Happiness Project. Soren Gordhamer: The Most Important App You Will Ever Have. In our age of amazing technological advancement, where new apps are created daily and we are busier than ever, it is easy to forget the most essential app we have: our own body and mind.
In fact, in a recent National Sleep Foundation study, 63 percent of Americans say their sleep needs are not being met during the week. Essentially, the mind/body app often takes a toll in our constantly-connected life. While we want the newest and coolest app available in the app store, more people are realizing that taking care of themselves amidst an increasingly-connected life is paramount. How Compassion Can Free You From the Cycle of Unworthiness. 12 Essential Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk. Video. Dagelijks #Mindfulness. Hungry Ghosts on the Couch: Longing, Yearning and Craving. We Can Still Be Crazy.
Help, I can't Meditate! Meditation for Beginners. “All man’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.” – Blaise Pascal No longer the exclusive domain of Buddhist monks and new age hippies, meditation is going mainstream. The newfound popularity of meditation is driven by a slew of new research in both psychology and neuroscience supporting the practice as a means of relieving stress, finding peace, and maintaining physical and mental health. Although more Americans than ever are interested in developing a meditation practice, many more try it and find that it is just too difficult.
Retrain your stressed-out brain. Mindfulness, Hypnosis and Psychotherapy: Where do they meet? The following is the next in a series of informal conversations between Trudy Goodman, Ph.D., Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. and Steven Hickman, Psy.D., the teachers for a unique upcoming professional training retreat entitled “Mindfulness in Psychotherapy” to be held October 2-7, 2011 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center in Southern California. Armchair Psychoanalysis: Anthony Weiner and the Tweets of Doom. MindLESSness: Conversations on Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Part I. The Green Dot Mindfulness Meditation Exercise. Pursuing Isn't Being: Why The Pursuit of Happiness Might Undermine Being Happy. Choose to Inhale, Do Not Breathe Simply to Exist: Mattie.
9 Ways to a More Mindful Workday. Why your brain needs vacations. Quick, Click that Pop-Up on Your Mental Screen. Whatever You Feel Compelled to Do, Don't. Dan Goleman: Want a Happier Brain? Try Mindfulness. Excavating Your Mental Health and Finding Buried Treasure. Mindfulness and Neuroplasticity. The One Major Lesson I've Learned. Natasha Dern: Why Do We Fear an Empty Mind? You’re already perfect. Trauma, Compassion & the Death of Bin Laden. Which Is More Important: Truth or Happiness?
Bin Laden Is Dead: Cue the Cheerleaders. Scientists Think Spirituality Is Congruent With Scientific Discovery, Religion Is Not.