Return and rest 1
“We found some dramatic differences between the group of experienced mind body practitioners and the inexperienced group. Specifically, 2,209 genes in the experienced practitioners were being expressed differently. The genes that acted differently have been associated with medical problems and premature aging.” – Herbert, Benson, M.D., Relaxation Revolution The aim of this exercise is to
Complaints or gratitude?
I wrote a while back about seeing a widening crack in my basement wall that brought on stories my brain was telling of “doom and gloomâ€, with the dramatic ending of my becoming a bag lady. As I said, at the time it was helpful to remember that this was a “storyline†being told by
Bag lady story
It was a normal dash down to my basement to retrieve something I had stored there. But my eye was caught by a crack in the foundation wall that had clearly widened since the last time I saw it. What happened next in my brain is comical – looking back on it. It went something
Mindful breathing
Our brain responds to three types of attentional cues in our life: It notices what we need for our survival. It notices what appeals to our interests… or grabs our attention. It notices what we choose to notice. Most of the time, we function in the second category. We automatically respond to “demands and appeals”
The half-smile
Hello, Old Friend. I know you. What are you trying to tell me? Thich Nhat Hanh: Living Buddha, Living Christ Compassion is our capacity to care and to show that we care. Many of us understand the former, but we aren’t always wise about the expression of that care… particularly when we (or others) don’t
Relaxation response
This exercise was inspired by cardiologist, Herbert Benson’s recommendation for a Relaxation Response based on his classic 1975 book by the same title. We need to experience a certain state of safety and ease in order to attain and sustain a state of mindfulness. This activity helps us develop a peaceful “home base” to which we can return and