STAND STILL

In the midst of chaos keep stillness inside of you.  Deepak Chopra As we glide into autumn, with winter’s imminent hibernation cycle approaching, we anticipate festivals, celebrations, and holidays. Life gets noisier, perhaps more chaotic than cozy or peaceful. I…

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Change

If you keep doing what you’ve always been doing you’ll get what you’ve always gotten. When I first heard this, my body felt an impact. As a pianist who practiced for perfection, no mistakes, artful execution, it struck me clearly…

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Monkey Mind

Taming my monkey mind is a full-time job. Tara Brach, PhD, meditation teacher Here’s a social post I saw over Labor Day. “Summer isn’t over yet. So sit your happy Halloween pumpkin spice butt down until I finish drinking my…

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Knowing Myself

Knowing MyselfKnowing others is intelligence,Knowing yourself is true wisdom.Mastering others is strength,Mastering yourself is true power. Excerpt from Tao Te Ching, verse 33, translated by Stephen Mitchell There are numerous translations of the Tao. I own several that I’ve been…

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Meditation

Half hour of meditation is essential except when you are very busy. Then a full hour is needed. Francis de Sales, 16th/17th-century bishop and spiritual leader You get the picture. I believe slowing down when overwhelmed is the mindful way…

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Practice

Practice means waiting without anxiety.  Patience with all things but first with yourself.  Francis de Sales, French Bishop Practice, purposeful repetition, makes what we do feel effortless. One of the root words for practice means “training oneself.”   Playing the piano…

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