There are many forms of formal and spontaneous mindful practices that train our attention. Some demand stillness, like mindful breathing, while others require movement, like mindful mowing, walking or eating. This exercise focuses on orienting to something we hear in our soundscape. We move our attention to the sound of a bell as its sound
Call to mind a time when you felt that all was right with your world. You can close your eyes and visualize this time or gaze at a reminder to cue the events and circumstances surrounding the event. Some people journal to flesh out the memory while others imagine telling the story to a good
As psychologist, Rick Hanson, likes to say, “You can use your mind to change your brain to benefit your mind.” He suggests we practice one small thing a day to transform our brain to enhance our well-BEING. Ideal “small things” are the ones that appear naturally during our day, or are relatively easy to accomplish.
Well… And sigh. I think I may finally see (and truly feel) that I cannot fool the laws of physics, myself, or any interaction between body and mind. I mean I know this. It has been my passion and my study. Yet somehow I felt I could skip the “taking care of myself” part and
Our brain responds to three types of attentional cues in our life: It notices what we need for our survival. It notices what appeals to our interests… or demands our attention. It notices what we choose to notice. Most of the time, we function in the second category. We automatically absorb and respond to “demands
Most of the research on the powerful effects of intentional breathing come from physician, Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Revolution. When we make time to do nothing else but attend to our breath cycle, we train our brain for “mind-body healing.” We actually turn off the neural circuits that cause medical issues! It’s a critical
Many of you have asked for help with the formal exercises, explaining the challenge you feel attempting to conduct a breathing exercise at work (in an office cubicle bustling with busy-ness) or at home (with a continuation of “demands” and no place to hide). I completely understand and though I sometimes take a trip to sit
If you take 1-3 minutes to mindfully breathe before you tackle the mountain of obligations in your life, you will eventually come to “do more” and “do better” in the same amount of time! Mindful breathing exercises might feel like an interference or interruption, but they give your brain the energy boost it needs for improved concentration, fewer negative reactions and greater work efficiency
Awareness that our intuition could benefit from some correction… makes clear the need for disciplined training of the mind. Intuition works well in some realms, but it needs restraints and checks in others. – Â David Myers, Intuition: Its Powers and Perils Our brain is rarely quiet in its mission to take in information (ATTENTION) and
I can choose how I want to BE. I can choose what I want to DO. Do, Be, Do, Be, Do, Do, Do, Do, Do, Be (sung like Sinatra) Our brain responds to three types of motivation, according to psychologists Martin Seligman and Chris Peterson. We are mobilized and energized by: Desire for The Pleasant