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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
. . . (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…
VOCABULARY:Each Day A New BeginningJust For TodayEvery Breath You Take Words matter. For the start of the new year I thought it would be meaningful to reflect on the vocabulary that inspires us to practice both mindfulness and meditation. As…
One of my favorite meditation teachers talks a lot about how to keep the focus on ourselves. She reminds us that simplifying and being mindful in general is good. If we are experiencing strong emotions, difficulties, challenges, repeating this phrase…
Pondering how to begin November’s Wednesday Wisdom, I felt hesitant, even a little afraid after events of November 5 in America. An email from a poet friend I deeply admire propitiously appeared in my inbox. At the bottom in tiny…
When times are difficult, I reach for kindness. When life is confusing, I reach for kindness. When all feels uncertain, I reach for kindness. Sharon Salzberg from her new course, Kindness in a Fractured World Kindness has been on my…
