When we realize we are confronted with something we can’t control or change, most of us have the wisdom to know that it may be best to accept it, instead of fighting it or feeling frustrated by it. But acceptance is often easier said than done. So why is acceptance so hard? What’s the secretContinue reading “What is the Secret to Acceptance?”
Tag Archives: meditation
What is Mindfulness of Breath?
In mindfulness practice, we are always bringing our attention to our breath. In this practice of returning to the present moment, the breath is a helpful anchor, because it is always here. It is already here. We don’t have to do anything special with our breath. We don’t have to do anything special to ourContinue reading “What is Mindfulness of Breath?”
What is Mind-Body Connection?
Our body always resides in the present. There is no way for our body to go into the future or the past. But our mind is not always in the present. More often than not, our mind is wandering all over, from past to present to future, non-stop. For most of our lives, our mindContinue reading “What is Mind-Body Connection?”
How Do I Work with Thoughts?
Thoughts are always coming and going. Thoughts in our mind are like clouds that appear and disappear. Our mind’s true nature is like a mountain that never moves, as countless clouds appear and disapplear around it, pass by, and perhaps even bring rain and snow. The mountain never rejects any cloud or tries to hangContinue reading “How Do I Work with Thoughts?”
How Can Mindfulness Help with Anxiety?
Anxiety is a significant public health concern, affecting about 31% of adults and adolescents, which is nearly one in three people (NIMH, 2022). Research shows that mindfulness practice is effective in reducing anxiety (Hofmann & Gomez, 2017). In this video that I developed for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, I discuss what mindfulness is,Continue reading “How Can Mindfulness Help with Anxiety?”
Mindfulness & Self-care
Self-care is an important part of wellness. Many of us take care of others (humans, animals, plants), but do we take the time to take care of ourselves? And what does that self-care look like? When we take care of someone, we are ultimately giving them our attention. In fact, one might even argue thatContinue reading “Mindfulness & Self-care”
What is the Place of No Thought?
Zen Master Dahui talked about the place “where the road of words and speech ends” (言語道斷) and “where the domain of mental activity disappears” (心行處滅). Meditation is connecting with that place through immediate experience – What’s right in front you, right now? Mindfulness is letting go of thinking and judgment, and returning to the mindContinue reading “What is the Place of No Thought?”
How Do I Live an Authentic Life?
We all desire to live a life that is open, one in which each moment is imbued with freshness and aliveness. Zen Master Wumen said, “The great way has no gate.” Great way means a life that is completely wide open. And similarly, Zen Master Sengcan said, “The great way is not difficult, just don’tContinue reading “How Do I Live an Authentic Life?”
How is Mindfulness Different from Guided Imagery?
Clinical social worker Belleruth Naparstek is a psychotherapist and guided imagery pioneer. According to Belleruth, guided imagery is “a deliberate, directed daydream designed to create healing, change, learning, or growth.” It involves using our imagination to engage in a multisensory experience that brings relaxation, peace, or positive change. Guided imagery is a powerful and effectiveContinue reading “How is Mindfulness Different from Guided Imagery?”
What is Beginner’s Mind?
Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki said, “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few” (Suzuki, 1970). Beginner’s Mind (Chinese: Chuxin, 初心, Japanese: Shoshin) is a mind that is completely open, without judgment, without expectations. A beginner does not have the baggage of prior experience. Why is prior experience aContinue reading “What is Beginner’s Mind?”
Mindfulness FAQ 