Winter this year has given me ample reflection time to observe how learning and practicing mindfulness, meditation, and the principles of MBSR have brought me closer to my journey for peace inside and out. I want to share some of…
What, you ask, does mindfulness have to do with freedom? My answer: everything. When we practice mindfulness meditation, we are learning tools for freedom from reactivity, anxiety, and an over-stimulated nervous system. We access our calmness from the stillness in…
My foray into 2026 began with loss; three dear friends since October. I’ve felt the need for less activity, less noise and kindness. For me that led to more time on the cushion. I realized that the world-wide hunger for…
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. From Desiderata, A Survival Guide for Life, a poem by Max Ehrmann We’re making our final descent into the darkest part of winter.…
If you want to have loving feelings, do loving things. If you want to feel happy, compliment people. Anne Lamott, American author, writing teacher I loved Anne Lamott from the moment I read Bird By Bird her book I adore…
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” – Lily Tomlin, actress As “The Season” creeps up on us, I decided to revisit old newsletters from this time of year. I love the Lily quote I used in 2022. It seems even…
Nothing will work unless you do. Maya Angelou, author, poet, performer, activist Let’s face it, it’s a challenge to commit ourselves to practicing meditation every day. But if I told you your life depended on it, would you do it?…
You should not have your idea when you listen to someone . . . Then you will understand what they say. Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Buddhist monk, author Zen Mind Beginners Mind When I read this quote, I immediately smiled and…
It is as important to cultivate your silence power as it is your word power. William James, psychologist, philosopher, writer Autumn is both the start of some things and the ends of others: holidays and harvest for some, the brilliant…
One of the reasons we think we want to meditate is to be less stressed. But I’m noticing that like so many other things we do in our lives, we make it a must. Then it’s just another should. When…
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.…
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…
