Mindfulness might be considered a household word these days and in its dissemination, it has been mischaracterized in a number of ways. It is a state of being that can be cultivated with practice, involving purposeful, yet gentle and compassionate, sustained attention to present moment experience. By cultivating mindfulness, we begin to see things more clearly, making space for … Continue reading The Myths of Mindfulness
For many people in the US, yoga is a wonderful entryway into the mindfulness and meditative practices. The use of movement makes it very accessible to those of us who struggle with restlessness and difficulty concentrating. In fact, asana (body postures) is only the 3rd of 8 limbs of the entire practice of yoga. They were intended to prepare the body and mind for meditation. … Continue reading Yoga Asana: A Moving Mindfulness Practice
Compassion is a willingness to be open to the suffering of another combined with a desire to eliminate it. It is a fundamental attitude of mindfulness that is cultivated with practice. Compassion has many benefits for both the giver and the receiver and this has been documented in the research. Being compassionate feels good, reduces stress, improves relationships, and is correlated with a number … Continue reading Befriending Yourself
The Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness Peace Pod is a secular, sacred space. Most meditation and yoga teachers will tell you that it is important to reserve a special space for regular practice. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy – it could be a corner of your living room. It doesn’t even have to … Continue reading A Secular Sacred Space
Acceptance is compassionate presence - acknowledging what is without judgment. It allows us to see things more clearly. When we accept, we are saying, “Yes, this is the way it is right now.” Yet, acceptance is not resignation. When we stop struggling against the uncontrollable, we have more bandwidth to focus on the things we can … Continue reading The Paradox of Acceptance
