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. […]
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
Mindfulness of sensations Read More »
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
Brain training mantra Read More »
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
Before work obligations Read More »
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
My efforts at being mindful have taken me on a profound journey… with more rewards than uncomfortable experiences… except at the beginning when I discovered how much my attitude (emotional reactions, beliefs and physiological responses) ruled me rather than vice versa. Luckily, I had a teacher who coached me through the process, emphasizing that “unbecoming
Realizing Values in Action Read More »
“Mindfulness of breathing is a wonderful beginning to cultivating awareness. It strengthens our ability to concentrate and steadies our tendency to get lost in reactive emotions and mental preoccupations.” – Gil Fronsdal, co-founder, Insight Meditation Center Mindfulness of Breathing is an awareness practice and not a practice in breathing. That is why, when the aim
“We found some dramatic differences between the group of experienced mind body practitioners and the inexperienced group. Specifically, 2,209 genes in the experienced practitioners were being expressed differently. The genes that acted differently have been associated with medical problems and premature aging.” – Herbert, Benson, M.D., Relaxation Revolution The aim of this exercise is to
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 grabs our attention. It notices what we choose to notice. Most of the time, we function in the second category. We automatically respond to “demands and appeals”
Hello, Old Friend. I know you. What are you trying to tell me? Thich Nhat Hanh: Living Buddha, Living Christ Compassion is our capacity to care and to show that we care. Many of us understand the former, but we aren’t always wise about the expression of that care… particularly when we (or others) don’t