A genuinely happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery of a detour. Tara Brach, spiritual teacher, psychologist, author When we look for joy, it’s hard to find. Joy is made up of all the … colors that exist. Joy is when we’re willing to surrender to all our experiences and all our emotions.Continue reading “Colors”
Author Archives: Jane Meryll
August Riffing
In the jazz world musicians use the word riffing to describe a kind of improvising. The technique is also used by poets, dancers, painters, authors, composers, comedians, politicians, actors, and even trial lawyers, in any context when improvising or riffing serves a desired result. I am sure you can think of situations you’ve been inContinue reading “August Riffing”
Heartfulness, Heartspace, Heartmind
When we speak of mindfulness, it is important to keep in mind that we equally mean heartfulness. Full Catastrphe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn Each of us can learn the art of nourishing happiness and love. How To Love by Thich Nhat Hanh What do we need most right now? For one thing, a little moreContinue reading “Heartfulness, Heartspace, Heartmind”
Peace Is An Inside Job
If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace. Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist monk, activist, artist, writer Honoring independence day is an unexpectedly different challenge this year; not so peaceful on the outside. IContinue reading “Peace Is An Inside Job”
Courage
Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace. — Emilia Earhart, American aviator pioneer Each new day is an opportunity to make choices and live courageously. The root of the word courage means heart (Coeur/French, Cor/Latin). A lot of us listen to our hearts with hesitation but I find with daily mindfulness practices, calmContinue reading “Courage”
It’s a beautiful day in my neighborhood.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. A beautiful day for a neighbor. Could you be mine? Would you be mine? Fred Rogers, TV Host Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Remember Mr. Rogers? I was a big fan often watching his program with my baby son. I think what Fred was teaching children was mindfulness. He wasContinue reading “It’s a beautiful day in my neighborhood.”
Everyday Mindfulness
Freedom is man’s capacity to take a hand in his own development. It is our ability to mold ourselves. Rollo May, psychologist, author As I get deeper into MBSR training, my understanding is that this idea of “molding ourselves” is perhaps at the heart of the mindful awareness required to live intentional thoughtful lives. LearningContinue reading “Everyday Mindfulness”
Determination 2.0
“First thing I do in the morning is I make up my bed. Then I make up my mind.” – Robert Frost, poet “Peace is possible in the middle of this life . . . now straighten the mind with your breath.” – Sylvia Boorstein, psychotherapist, co-founding teacher Spirit Rock, author Here’s the same questionContinue reading “Determination 2.0”
Determination
. . . (I) passionately believe that paying attention- Mindfulness- shows itself as goodness and kindness, as concern for others, as concern for the whole world. – Sylvia Boorstein, author, Buddhist teacher at Spirit Rock Anything is possible. You just have to believe. – Tao Porchon-Lynch, Yogini Master What if I told you there isContinue reading “Determination”
Fear
There is no easy way to talk about fear. It’s pretty clear if you are alive you will experience its many varieties, colors, velocities, intensities, and dynamics in your life. It’s in the very air we breathe right now. Change does that. But rather than say much or discuss mindful techniques for releasing strong emotionContinue reading “Fear”