First and foremost, the person needs to be given the time, and the mental and emotional space to BE. That means no rushing, no outpacing, no talking over, no ignoring, no assuming. Instead, we are to practice being present for them. How does that work? First I take a chair and I sit down. Down at the person’s level, mirroring her own sitting. And I take the time to relax into my body, and to let my mind settle....

Whenever my heart feels torn in this way, I remember that where we habitually place our heart and mind becomes our natural inclination. What we focus on determines to some degree our sense of well-being. We can’t ignore the ecological crisis. We are here because society has refused to look squarely at this complex problem. However, does it serve the greater good to dwell only on the catalog of data about climate change?...

Mindfulness meditation consists of three simple steps: Below, Mindful’s Editor-in-Chief Barry Boyce takes us through the basics of meditation for beginners with a practice to re-establish ourselves when we feel off track. When you’re just beginning your meditation practice, the key is to try to sit for meditation every day—even 5 minutes can make a real difference. In fact, a recent study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) practitioners that was published in an American psychological journal suggests that increasing mindfulness on a daily basis, “can be a beneficial means to improve daily psychological well being....

Perhaps a more interesting question is why are so many people interested in mindfulness practice? It’s probably because it addresses deeply felt human needs: to regulate our emotions and our stress more effectively, to tame the nagging voice in our heads, to maintain focus without drifting off, to be fully engaged in what we’re doing and able to recall why we’re doing it in the first place. We all have these challenges and we all have the natural human capability to work with them creatively....

The results appear to be promising, and the uses of mindfulness in the military appear to be growing. The article touches on the work on Martin Paulus, a neuroscientist at University of California, San Diego, who uses MRI scans to see how meditation affects the brain. He says meditation increases activity in the insula. An active insula suggests improved ability to handle trauma and stress because it makes the body’s physical and emotional signals more clear....

With the recession creating challenges in terms of traditional business practices, this conference is intended to help businesspeople understand new ways of thinking and working. According to ALIA, the first step in managing productivity, resilience and judgment is the management of the mind. Keynote speakers and workshops will address a range of topics, from the challenges of the 21st century workplace to the neuroscience of mindfulness and the logic of bringing mindfulness into the workplace....

Here’s a trick I learned that helps me train my brain to be present while simply walking. Mindfulness On-the-Go: Walking Meditation Practice Appreciate. If you are fortunate enough to have the ability to walk, try and remember, it took you over a year to learn how to walk and these legs are often the unsung heroes that take you to and fro day in and day out. Thank your legs for all their efforts....

This exercise asks you to imagine your life going as well as it possibly could, then write about this best possible future. By doing so, research suggests that you’ll not only increase your happiness in the present but pave the way for sustained happiness down the line. How to Do It: Take a moment to imagine your life in the future. What is the best possible life you can imagine?...

Show notes: Powerful women of mindfulness, 2021: 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2021 Powerful women of mindfulness, 2020: 12 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2020 Powerful women of mindfulness, 2019: 12 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement Read The Importance of Noticing Small Moments of Beauty: The Importance of Noticing Small Moments of Beauty Read How I Stopped Terrorizing Myself: How I Stopped Terrorizing Myself Read Healing in the Deep Ocean of Grief: Healing in the Deep Ocean of Grief Read Gentle Men: The Healing Power of Vulnerability: Gentle Men: The Healing Power of Vulnerability Ruth King Real Mindful Episode: Ruth King on Planting Seeds for the Future – Mindful Enjoy our Mindful Gratitude Journal with a discount applied at checkout here: www....

This is how I overcame the hardest inclines of a recent trail race through the beautiful mountains around Los Angeles, my adopted home. The run was filled with substantial climbs, one of which was over three miles long. I’ve been running since my mid-20s— when it was mostly jogging around my neighborhood in order to be outside and to get some exercise. But over the last few years, I’ve ventured into running marathons and most recently I morphed into an ultrarunner: Somebody who runs distances longer than a marathon, usually on trails in nature, often in the mountains....

Results indicated that “mindfulness was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and alcohol problems […].” To read the study abstract, click here. For more on this subject, read Inhale, Exhale, Fight Fire by Barry Boyce. 11/03/11

I started meditating in 2003. I was facing depression, anxiety and health issues and it was suggested by my psychiatrist. Did you take a class? If so, what sort of a class did you take? I took the introductory “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction” class at Jefferson with Diane Reibel and Geri Santini in 2003. I also took and advanced class with Diane and Geri on Radical Acceptance (based on the teachings of Tara Brach)....

Here are the top mindfulness articles of 2019: 1) The Best Meditation Apps Our phones are always with us, so we might as well put them to good use. Here are five free apps that can help you deepen your practice. 2) The Ultimate Guide to How to Meditate Learning to meditate can be confusing—should you get a cushion? Count breaths? Listen to an audio recording? This introductory guide has the answers....

But when it comes to bringing mindfulness into the family, the Goldstein’s say most parents forget the “self” part. “When parents bring their children into my office, they say they want more of this mindfulness stuff for their kids,” says Elisha. “But the parents aren’t necessarily doing it themselves.” This is especially challenging for mothers, Stephanie notes, because they often assume that thinking about their own needs is not part of good parenting....

While having a camera on our phones—or glasses—allows us to capture momentous events in real time, we’ve also grown accustomed to viewing real time events through our screens. How can we be more present when capturing these moments? You can bring mindfulness into your photography by taking a closer look at the color, texture, and faces you want to capture. These three contemplative photography assignments are oriented toward you, the perceiver....

At its heart, the center will be a series of collaborations among the College, School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Curry School of Education, fostering partnerships among humanities scholars, medical and nursing practitioners, clinical researchers, education researchers, and contemplative practitioners, among others. Sonia and Paul Jones of Greenwich, Conn. donated the money for the project. Their initial inspiration for funding the center came as a result of their devotion to their Ashtanga yoga teacher, Sri K....

In the video, Re-Wiring Your Brain for Happiness: Research Shows How Meditation Can Physically Change the Brain, Harris interviews Richie Davidson, PhD, Founder of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, on the effects meditation has on the brain. Davidson is a keynote speaker at the forthcoming Creating a Mindful Society conference in NYC, where he will showcase recent findings that illustrate how training the mind can change the brain in ways that promote mental and physical well-being....