Near Enemies of Enlightenment

Seeing enlightenment as a series of discrete experiences, a lifelong practice, and an ongoing process can help us avoid the costly pitfalls of hubris and delusion.

A Mental Model for a More Mindful Perspective

Donella Meadows' Iceberg Model offers a practical framework for seeing ourselves and the world through a more mindful lens.

Mindfulness of Surrender

The relinquishment of the illusion of control we call surrender can be life affirming and even sweet when what we're letting go into is inevitable - mindfulness can help us discern when it makes sense to do so.

Mindfulness of Resistance

To be alive is to experience resistance and mindfulness can help us meet this very human experience with compassion and wisdom.

The Joy of Mindfulness

Joy is a delightful surprise visitor that we can learn to roll out the welcome mat for and invite to stay longer through a dedicated mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness of the “Full Catastrophe”

Leaders across a variety of disciplines are increasingly recognizing the importance of the development of inner capacities, such as mindfulness and compassion, in taking action to effect beneficial, lasting change in the world.

Transforming Suffering with Mindfulness

Sometimes called slogan or compassion training, the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Lojong uses aphorisms as a memory aid for transforming life's circumstances, whatever they may be, into an awakening of the heart.

Mindful Speech: The Power of Words

The words we choose to communicate our experience to ourselves and others can help facilitate intimacy when we are mindful - or they can widen the gap when unexamined.

Mindfulness of Greed

A dedicated practice of mindfulness can allow us see through our insatiable wanting and greed to a more sustainable mindset of sufficiency.

Mindfulness of Social Anxiety

Mindfulness can help us reduce social anxiety and increase interpersonal trust so that we can cultivate more intimate connections, even across difference, toward a more compassionate world.

Mindfulness of Interpersonal Warmth

The skills we gain through mindfulness practice and the resources we share in our practice communities can help us cultivate the beneficial trait of interpersonal warmth.
Mexican Traditional day of the dead skulls full of joy

Mindfulness of Mortality

Contemplative practices and skills such as mindfulness and self-compassion can help resource us to face mortality with wisdom, live our lives with greater appreciation and presence, become more skillful supporters of our dying loved ones, and prepare for our own deaths in ways that decrease unnecessary suffering.

Mindfulness of Mirroring

Practicing mindfulness of mirroring can help us meet difficult social experiences with greater wisdom and skill.
Map of Midwestern US States

Why Mindfulness is Important in the Midwest

The US Midwest possesses unique gifts, resources, and vulnerabilities that impact the rest of the country and ripple out into the world. Mindfulness may help us relate to them more skillfully, to everyone's benefit.

Who Decides? Mindfulness of Multiplicity, Interdependence and Agency

We like to believe we are the authors of our own actions, but research is showing us behavior is complicated. Fortunately, mindfulness can help us make the subconscious processes that drive our impulses more conscious and intentional.

Mindful Life Lessons from the Beatles

Shane Ledford explores how the Beatles documentary "Get Back" offers some mindful lessons that can be adapted into everyday life.

Do Not Fall Into Despair: Mindfulness as Antidote

Any one of the profound difficulties we are facing as a species might cause us to abandon hope. Fortunately, mindfulness can help resource ourselves to face these challenges with wisdom and resilience.

Breaking Down the Gates and Welcoming In the Wilderness with Mindfulness

Certified mindfulness teacher Julia Grimm discusses the wisdom and refuge of her practice as well as the fruits of her mindfulness teacher training experience.