We have countless mind states available to us. To which ones do we gravitate?

Mindfulness is one form, in a family of meditative practices which invites to us to sit in present awareness and observe the mind and our sensory messages. From this practice, one learns to “observe” thoughts, emotions and “choose” where we place our attention. We discover that thoughts, sensations and emotions are not permanent and because they pass, we can learn to watch them change with curiosity and equanimity. Mindfulness offers us the opportunity to release self-judgment that leads to emotional suffering and to accept and make friends with our self. As we observe our own personal “hooks,” those places where we find ourselves caught in old habits or patterns, we develop the capacity to treat our self with kindness and compassion. Self-awareness and compassion are the garden in which we plant our seeds of new growth. There are numerous forms of meditation and contemplative practices. Many forms, by design are non religious and non spiritual.

Even new meditators generally report a number of benefits directly derived from their practice including improved concentration, relaxation, and enhanced ability to manage stress, emotional balancing and overall feelings of calm.

I have been trained in Jon Kabat-Zinn’s model of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Psychotherapeutic applications of Meditation with Jack Kornfield, Sylvia Boorstein, and Frank Ostaseki among others.

“Know that your seeking and yearning
Will avail you not, unless
You know the Mystery:
For if that which you seek,
You find not within yourself,
You will never find it without.”

From: “Charge of the Star Goddess” Starhawk