Viral Mindfulness the Podcast

In this 10-minute guided meditation, you're invited to settle into the sound of water and memory. Recorded live on the shore of June Lake Beach, this track features the gentle tide and natural surf—a found-sound meditation bed from the Eastern Sierra's alpine shoreline. Let the rhythm of the water carry you inward. Let the hush between waves soften what's been loud inside you. This lake held me during the first days of my summer pilgrimage—a time of reflection, remembrance, and scattering a dusting of my dad's ashes in the hush of morning light. Now, it's here to hold you. Find your breath. Find your stillness. Come rest beside the lake.

Alexander Blue Feather takes us deep into the heart of the Eastern Sierras in this rich, reflective, and often hilarious travelogue. Recorded over several days during his solo summer road trip, this episode is an audio journal of wonder and wandering. From chipmunks and cold plunges in June Lake to the tender salt-and-peppering of his father's ashes at June Lake on Father's Day. Come along for unexpected wisdom, campground comparisons, and a bucket of dildos in a small-town Oregon bar. Yes, really!

n this guided meditation, Alexander Blue Feather leads us through a loving-kindness practice inspired by the grief-woven wisdom of Francis Weller. You'll begin by grounding your body like a tree—rooted, upright, and open—before stepping into a visualization that invites you to face your own suffering with tenderness and compassion. With each breath, you'll offer gentle blessings to yourself, then to someone you love, and slowly out to the world, expanding the radius of kindness to all beings everywhere. This is a practice of remembering: that every being you encounter knows suffering, and therefore every being is worthy of compassion. Including you. May you be happy. May you be free of suffering. May you be at peace.

What if progress isn't the point? What if your soul doesn't move in a straight line, but in spirals and stillness? In this poetic reflection, Alexander Blue Feather reads from The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller and Rumi's The Guest House, exploring the sacred art of self-compassion. You'll hear about grief, letting go of the “muscular agenda” of self-improvement, and why setting a place at the inner table—for sorrow, disappointment, and loss—is an act of courage. Includes a laughter offering from Harvey Rose and a preview of upcoming fall offerings: grief-wise circles, a weekend silent retreat, and a 21-day guided meditation. Stay tuned for a guided loving-kindness meditation in the next episode.

In this weekend's special edition of Viral Mindfulness, Alexander Blue Feather invites you to step behind the velvet curtain into the sacred glow of Broadway. As CNN broadcasts George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" live from the Winter Garden Theatre and the 2025 Tony Awards light up the stage, Alexander reflects on the electric drama—both on and off stage. From Audra McDonald and Nicole Scherzinger's showdown to Megan Hilty's triumphant return, this episode is a love letter to the theater. A temple of truth and belonging. You'll hear personal stories from Alexander's first Broadway pilgrimage in 1998, complete with tap shoes, playbills, and spiritual awakening in the balcony's glow. It's a celebration of queer joy, memory, grief, and resurrection, told with sparkle and soul.

“Elphaba wasn't the villain. She was the spellbreaker.” In this powerful Pride Month episode, Alexander Blue Feather reflects on the moment Wicked became his lifeline. It was June 2003, freshly diagnosed with HIV, newly exiled from the Mormon church, and standing at the edge of a new life. Then Elphaba soared across a Broadway stage, green-skinned and defiant, and something shifted forever. Now, 22 years later, Alexander returns to that sacred moment as the trailer for Wicked: Part Two, For Good is released. He shares how Elphaba became a queer archetype and teacher, how sobriety reshaped his soul, and why pride means more at 52 than it ever did at 30. This episode celebrates 10 years clean from hard drugs, explores the grief of losing a parent, honors gender expansiveness, and affirms that queerness is holy. It's part memoir, part spell, part sermon for the ones who had to leave to live. Topics include: • Queer identity and Pride then vs. now • Living with HIV for 22 years • 10 years sober from crystal meth and hard drugs • Elphaba as a mirror for queer becoming • Gender expansiveness and chosen family • Spoken-word taglines and healing through Broadway For the ones with glitter in their scars -- you were never wicked -- you were always becoming.

Rabbit rabbit! Welcome to June. In this heartfelt kickoff to the month, Alexander Blue Feather invites you into an intimate exploration of quirky traditions, grief rituals, spiritual recommitment, and summertime synchronicity. He shares the folk origins of the “rabbit rabbit” custom, begins a 30-day wake-up challenge guided by spiritual teacher Adyashanti, and reflects on the continued apprenticeship of grief following his father's passing. From salt-and-peppering ashes under the avocado tree to planning a soulful road trip to Glacier National Park, this episode is a soft-spoken invitation to slow down, notice your wanting, and meet the month with presence.

In this deeply personal episode of Viral Mindfulness, Alexander Bluefeather shares an intimate reflection on the passing of his father. Recorded in real time as he heads across the desert toward a family gathering and celebration of life, this episode is a raw meditation on grief, memory, sacred moments, and the practice of presence at the threshold of death. Alexander offers stories from his final days with his dad, reads from The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller, and offers final call for the upcoming Spring's Edge Wise Circle, a soulful sanctuary for shared healing. Starts Tuesday, April 22, for 5 Weeks. If you are navigating loss or seeking to better understand the terrain of grief, this is a tender companion for the journey.

In this tender and whimsical episode, Alexander Blue Feather invites you into a weekend of poetry, play, and presence with Harvey Pink Feather. From basement pirate poetry sessions to the gentle rhythms of 'Blossomise' by Simon Armitage, their world unfolds in haikus, laughter, and the quiet magic of shared moments. As winter lingers and spring stirs beneath the surface, this is an offering to hold both—the hush of snow and the promise of bloom. Harvey's voice rises like birdsong, her love for haikus and pirate tales weaving joy into the stillness. Come, linger in this space where poetry and love lead us home. Winter's Edge Wise Circle starts Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (6 weeks) Grab your seat at viralmindfulness.com/wise-circles

As winter lingers and the first whispers of spring stir beneath the surface, how do we honor this in-between season? In this episode, Alexander Blue Feather reflects on Imbolc, the Gaelic festival marking the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox. He explores the themes of rest, renewal, and the quiet work happening beneath the surface—both in nature and within ourselves. Drawing from Katherine May's wisdom and his own creative practices, he invites listeners to slow down, tend to their roots, and embrace small rituals of light and stillness. Plus, updates on Wise Circles, new watercolor prints, and the music that's been carrying him through this season. Mentioned in this episode: ✨ Imbolc and the art of honoring winter's pause ✨ Katherine May's reflections on midwinter ✨ Music as a companion in silence and transformation ✨ Small rituals to welcome renewal ✨ Updates on Wise Circles & creative offerings Tune in and join this journey of deep listening, reflection, and gentle awakening.

Join me in solidarity for a powerful moment of silence. As I approach the final 30 hours of an at-home profound noble silence journey, I'm inviting you to step into your own quiet for just ten minutes. It all began at 4 AM PT on Monday, December 30, 2024, when the call of an owl—an extraordinary first in my 13 years here—woke me from sleep. These past days of silence have been intense yet illuminating, and I'd love for us to connect in this shared stillness. What might emerge for you through the practice of silence? To help you "make sit happen," I've created a ten-minute silent meditation. Take a moment for yourself, and send your love and light my way as I complete this week of silence. I'll return on Monday with words and the opening of enrollment for Winter Wise Circles. Curious about the schedule? Visit viralmindfulness.com/circle to learn more.

Join me for a calming guided meditation where we explore the quiet beauty of winter. Together, we make “sit” happen, creating a space for stillness amid the busyness of life. With the soft glow of a candle and Katherine May's reflective words as our inspiration, we'll journey inward to connect with the rhythms of this season. Through grounding practices and mindful breathing, we'll honor the winter's lessons of rest, deceleration, and tending to our roots. You'll learn to invite all aspects of yourself—thoughts, feelings, and sensations—into the present moment, cultivating a sense of belonging within. Key Takeaways: Practice inclusivity by inviting your feelings and thoughts to "sit" with you. Connect with your inner light and explore how it flourishes in the quiet margins of winter. Embrace winter's lesson of slowing down and honoring stillness. Reflect on nurturing your roots and keeping the sun's energy alive through light and silence. May you leave this meditation with peace, kindness, and a renewed connection to the steady heartbeat of life.

In this reflective holiday episode, Alexander shares a cherished memory from 1985 as a seventh-grader in Salt Lake City, Utah. He recalls performing in a regional production of Scrooge, The Musical, playing several roles, including George, the lovable street urchin. This experience, filled with camaraderie and creativity, left a lasting impression—especially a poignant interaction with a kind, artistic gay man who gifted him a hand-painted Christmas card. Alexander transitions to the present, sharing how winter solstice and the holiday season are shaping his emotions and spiritual journey. He reflects on missing time with Harvey, adapting to family gatherings, and navigating feelings of vulnerability and sadness. Inspired by Katharine May's “Incantation for Solstice Eve,” he emphasizes the importance of rest, stillness, and embracing the rhythm of winter. In a metaphor of trees shedding their last leaves, Alexander finds clarity in letting go of expectations and honoring his internal season of winter. He reminds listeners that New Year's resolutions don't have to start on January 1st and celebrates the power of candlelight, music, and silence to sustain light in the darkest days. This episode blends nostalgia, mindfulness, and heartfelt honesty, encouraging listeners to embrace their own cycles of rest and renewal.

In this episode of Viral Mindfulness the Podcast, I invite you into a season of slowing down, reflecting, and reconnecting. From howling at the full moon in Provincetown with Harvey and Nova Rain to embracing the calming metaphor of snail juice, I share stories and insights from my 31 Days of December at-home-retreat. Together, we explore themes of reweaving ourselves, cultivating silence, and resisting the allure of constant digital distraction. Plus, I have an exciting announcement about my new limited-edition watercolor prints inspired by rainwater and nature's gentle beauty. Tune in for inspiration to embrace winter's stillness and steep in life's deeper rhythms. Podcast Soul Siblings: Enjoy 20% Off WATERCOLOUR PRINTS, Enter Code at checkout: BLUE20 → https://www.viralmindfulness.com/gallery/prints

Before you dive into a longer meditation, take a moment to check in with your mind. Where are you at right now? To ground yourself in the present, it can help to ask a few simple questions, ones that bring you into direct contact with what's unfolding inside you. Here's another question and touchpoint: What is the quality of you thoughts right now? Is your mind busy? Drowsy? Is your mind surprisingly still? Are your thoughts raging? Peaceful or gentle? Obsessive or calm? Explore the quality of your thoughts and the landscape of your mind, in this present moment... *Inspired by the words of Pema Chödrön

In this episode, I reflect on the experience of engaging in a 7-day meditation challenge, offering insights on the power of simple, short meditations and the universal struggle with meditation. I share personal experiences of how incorporating even brief, 1-minute meditations has led to greater consistency and depth in my practice this week. Drawing from the wisdom of Pema Chodron, the episode emphasizes that meditation is not about achieving perfection or escaping thoughts, but about creating space to witness the mind's activity without judgment. This process of noticing and allowing thoughts to come and go, Alexander Blue Feather suggests, is at the core of true meditation practice. I also share the joy of community meditation sessions, expresses gratitude for a birthday gift, and looks forward to upcoming personal events and gatherings, including attending a retreat at Kripalu. The episode closes with words of encouragement, reminding listeners that meditation is a revolutionary practice that allows us to hold space for our thoughts, feelings, and deeper emotions, such as grief and pain.

Before you dive into a longer meditation, take a moment to check in with your mind. Where are you at right now? To ground yourself in the present, it can help to ask a few simple questions, ones that bring you into direct contact with what's unfolding inside you. Here's the next question: Are you experiencing any physical sensations? Pain, tightness, relaxation? Explore your body and its sensations, in this moment, on your own... *Inspired by the words of Pema Chödrön

Before you dive into a longer meditation, take a moment to check in with your mind. Where are you at right now? To ground yourself in the present, it can help to ask a few simple questions, ones that bring you into direct contact with what's unfolding inside you. Start with this: What are you feeling? Can you connect with that? It could be an emotion or a sensation in your body—maybe you're feeling calm, agitated, tired, or even in pain. Don't try to fix or change it, just notice. Can you simply be with what's here, in this moment? Inspired by the words of Pema Chödrön.

In this episode, we explore why hope, while seemingly positive, might actually be keeping you stuck. Drawing inspiration from the slang "sus" (popularized by the game Among Us), we'll dive into how hope can sometimes feel like a trap—suspicious, even. With teachings from Pema Chödrön and Stephen Jenkinson's Die Wise, we'll uncover how clinging to hope can numb us from reality, especially at life's end. Join me as we unpack the idea that letting go of hope could be the key to finding true peace in the present moment.

In this episode I'll introduce you to Massachusetts largest waterfall. Sit next to Bash Bish Falls and listen for 3 minutes. Listen. Notice. Love. Sit. Stay until the three minutes is up.

Welcome to Autumn's Edge. Let's start with a 7-day meditation challenge. Super simple suggestions in this episode! Start today and finish Thursday, October 3, 2024. The next few episodes will be guided meditation tracks, also called MAKE SIT HAPPEN. More resources for your meditation practice → https://www.viralmindfulness.com/guided-meditation-starter-kit

"In Chinese lore, the Fifth Season is late summer, when the glare is gone and only the color of things as they are can reach us. It takes all the seasons to become this bare. All the turmoil to be worn of edges. All the loss to hold on to nothing. All the seasons to wear our hands open. Landing here, I no longer want things. I only want moments. In the sun. In the rain. With you. When confused or sad, I only want to look to what is and tumble into joy. Together. Alone. I want to put down all I've been carrying" (Mark Nepo). Second Summer Wise Circles are open for enrollment → viralmindfulness.com

Join me for an early morning cup of coffee next to a cozy campfire in Copake, New York. We'll discuss joy as an opportunity, even a "calling -- precisely in a moment like this" (Krista Tippett). My joy dances intimately with the pain, struggle and impermanence of modern life. Can you create space to hold joy while you're navigating difficulties? I'm integrating my Summer on the East Coast while sharing a couple audio clips of Harvey and I reading/singing poems and spells to each other. She told me she's been writing poems since she was 3 years old! Are you joining me for the next round of WISE CIRCLES? The magic and OVERTURE start on Tuesday, September 3 (or Sunday, September 8). Two different circles to choose from. Now enrolling soul-siblings who are interested in exploring their spiritual life. We'll practice together every week for 5 weeks. Details + Price + Testimonials + Enrollment → viralmindfulness.com

Behind the scenes of my Spring Piano Recital and Watercolour Series: Romance With Rainwater. Harvey Rose and John Harvey Cates pop in with a little audio fun from their garden in New City, NY. All things Alexander → viralmindfulness.com → Get your tickets for my recital next weekend. XXOO Yours Bluely

In this 20 minute guided meditation we'll explore a garden within your heart and mind's eye, as we simmer on the words of Maria Papova: "The life of a garden is a vivid reminder that anything of beauty and radiance takes time, takes care, takes devotion to seed and sprout and bloom, gardens have long been living cathedrals for the creative spirit. And, suddenly, the flower emerges not as this pretty object to be admired, but as this ravishing system of aliveness — a kind of silent symphony of interconnected resilience." Energize Your Meditation Practice! Sometimes all you need is a new guide with a different perspective. Let me be your muse and accountability to your mindfulness practice. The Ultimate Guided Meditation Starter Kit. The Affordable **Must Have** Mindfulness Resource for the Beginning Meditator and Those with Courage to “Begin Again” and Trust a Fresh Field Guide (That's Me). Updates twice a year. Over 34 guided meditations ready to go. Video teaching and suggestions for you practice. Get started → viralmindfulness.com/meditate

Kitty girls, squirrel friends and soul siblings! We just hit 20,000 downloads on the podcast. Thanks for the love! Are you ready to sashay your way along the trails with me? Honey, we're talking about Flagstaff, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving you trail realness. As I make my pilgrimage to Taos, New Mexico, this episode is a journey packed with adventure, and conversations on fear. I'm here with PART TWO. According to Pema Chödrön, we're not here to conquer fear darling, oh, no, we're here to embrace it (wholeheartedly), to lean into it, to make fear our fierce companion. Flirt with fear! Speaking of fierce, mark your calendars because you're invited to the event of the season, My Spring Piano Recital! Picture this: I'm tickling the ivories, playing Alexandra Streliski's album NEO-ROMANCE from start to finish, right from my living room to your screens via Zoom. I've been practicing all year and now it's time to shine and share it with YOU. Let's talk tickets, because you don't want to miss this event. We've got options for every budget, from $FREE to $VIP BLUE baby! Standard ticket price $24. Student and financial need prices at $12. Four recitals, 75 minutes each, filled with music, magic, and a watercolor giveaway at each recital. Snatch your tickets, and get ready to join me for a musical extravaganza you won't soon forget → viralmindfulness.com/piano

LIVE from Santa Fe, New Mexico | Conversations On Fear by Alexander Smith | Mindfulness Teacher

This is the second year I'm celebrating the New Year at the Spring Equinox. I thought March 25th, being the full moon and all, would be the perfect beginning. Do you know about my Guided Meditation Starter Kit? I'll tell you about it. Don't just take my word for it, Bryce Orvin recently left me a comment after practicing one of the guided meditations: "What a soothing, gentle introduction to making sit happen. Your love resonates with every soft word, encouragement, and thoughtful soundscape. Thank you Alexander for sharing the gifts you've developed and the powerful peace you have cultivated. My anxiety has evaporated and restful slumber awaits.Yahoo!" Harvey Rose Cates, my almost 5.5 year old Goddess Daughter has her iPad set up for communication. We're in the beginning phases, and you're luck has it, because today she audio texted me for the very first time, and I've copy and pasted some of the fun for your lovely ears to enjoy. We'll finish the podcast talking about taking your time to build your life, sobriety, creative projects, relationship, next career endeavor. All of it! "Good things take much longer than you think" (Sean Einhaus). Viral Mindfulness has taken me years to build. I'll introduce you to someone I love following. His name is Julian Curi, known on socials as "Righteous Robot." He makes art and movies and just launched his newest papercut Short Film called GRUFF. It's divine. He cuts and films and make paper people. You have got to see this! We'll finish this episode with the gorgeous prose of Brianna Weist for gentle encouragement: "Happiness is something that is gently built. It is what you make ritual within your life, what you allow yourself to get used to. You think of happiness as a constant forward motion, a kind of growing that looks a lot more like reaching — always toward some newer, brighter horizon. Yet, happiness is consistent effort in the same direction. It is the way you strengthen bonds, uncover beauty, and grow to become most comfortable with yourself. It is how you learn to trace the lines of your innermost desires outward into the world, to find within them the pockets where you most belong. It is to live in a way that makes you feel grateful you are here, that affirms how connected you are to something greater, that makes you remember you are working toward something that will one day add up to be more meaningful than all of its parts." Show Notes → viralmindfulness.com/march25 Guided Meditation Starter Kit → viralmindfulness.com/meditate May of Mindfulness Spring Offerings → viralmindfulness.com/circle

Watch the CNN interview, explore pictures from my World AIDS Day Keynote (2011), and learn more about Dime Stories (today's reading) → blessyourvirus.com

Winter's Edge: My Melancholy and a Public Service Social Worker Announcement (PSSWA) by Alexander Smith | Mindfulness Teacher

In this episode I talk about my Midwinter Melancholy and how music is at the top of my "treatment plan." I read an essay I wrote in 2002 applying for an international Summer practicum in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria). It's called, MUSIC LESSONS. I got the internship and had an epic summer (circa 2002). I finish the episode offering you a blessing from John O'Donohue entitled: As A Child Enters The World. Explore my Spring Wise Circle and Piano Recitals at viralmindfulness.com.

Snotty tales of mucus, textiles (my new bedding) and cashmere of course. I've emerged from a January whirlwind. Let's start with the cold/flu/covid which drop kicked me into bed for seven days. Thank Goddess I bought new flannel sheets and two down pillows (with Mulberry silk cases) in December. I'll share a juicy quote from Katherine May's WINTERING and details about Midwinter Wise Circles which start the week of February 17. viralmindfulness.com

Make sit happen under the stars of nighttime in Yosemite National Park.

Make sit happen under the stars of an early morning in Yosemite National Park.

I'm not sure forgiveness is real. I like to think of it as a riddle. May this guided meditation encourage ideas related to "forgiveness." It's a process, not a decision or an event. You don't have to forgive everyone. Here are the three phrases we'll work with: 1. I forgive you for the harm you have caused 2. Knowingly or in ignorance, you were suffering and lost 3. I forgive you

"If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light" (RUMI). I'm writing on Winter's Eve to remind you that your light matters. The darkness and sorrow within my life is the reason I can hold authentic joy, peace and playfulness. Lebanese-American poet and philosopher Kahlil Gibran suggests "the deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." May you trust the pain and discomfort in your life, and shine your light as it circles around. In 2016 I was in the audience of Oprah's Super Soul Sessions when India.Arie sang her beautiful song "I Am Light." Watch and Listen Now → https://youtu.be/OL-gxfx2QtY Explore My Love Letters of Mindfulness → https://www.viralmindfulness.com/love-letters

I've been a little quiet here on the podcast as I've been processing big events, including time with Dad, in my Desert of Dementia (Arizona). He's been living with dementia since 2015 and this was our first time face to face where he didn't know who I was most of the 5 days. This episode presents in a "Blue's State of the Union Update" highlighting quick plot points from the past 8 weeks. I answer a question about whether I offer 1-on-1 sobriety coaching sessions? The answer is no, and my therapy has expanded to something I call "therapeutic mentoring." Find out more in this episode. Expect weekly episodes through the rest of the year and into 2024.

Let me intimate my response and thoughts on a few sentences from Gabor Maté's book, 'The Myth Of Normal.' Inside you. Think of your trauma as an inner injury. “Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you.” Details about Late-Fall Wise Circles which start the week of November 13 and run for five weeks. Early bird discount on tuition available through November 1. All of the details at viralmindfulness.com/wise-circe

While visiting Yosemite I did some reading about John Muir and his adventures in the Sierra Nevada, including Yosemite. I found a phrase by an author named Gretel Ehrlich that left an impression; she was referencing John's early life and his lack of "intellectual interludes." I carried the word interlude with me along the trails and rivers of Yosemite National Park, and found a way to integrate it with my spiritual and creative practice. I'm excited to share it with you today!

Make Sit Happen: Healing Trauma, A Guided Meditaion Journey, Written by Belleruth Naparstek by Alexander Smith | Mindfulness Teacher

Swap your brown noise, green, white, or violet for this unique Yosemite waterfall. Blue Noise, an offering from Foresta Falls, which is deep on the edge of Yosemite National Park (in Foresta, CA). Recorded live, on location, Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 6:02PM PT.

Enjoy the beautiful voice of Crane Creek in Foresta, California. On the edge, right in Yosemite National Park.

I spent last week in Yosemite National Park for 7 nights. I have some ideas I want to share with you. Details about Fall Wise Circles. Piano Recitals With Watercolour Giveaways THIS WEEK. Four to choose from. 45 minutes on ZOOM. Thursday, Sept. 21, 7PM-7:45PM PT, Friday, Sept. 22, 6PM-6:45PM PT, Saturday, Sept. 23 (First Day of Autumn), 2PM-2:45PM PT and Sunday, Sept. 24 (My Eight Year Sober Anniversary), 3PM-3:45PM PT. Links and free tickets at viralmindfulness.com/piano. The role of spiritual practice is basically to exhaust the seeker. If the practice does what it's supposed to do, it exhausts our energy for seeking. And then reality has a chance to present itself. Adyashanti I've learned a great deal drifting in and out of wakefulness over the years. In the beginning, I used to do a lot of things—write, play music, draw, garden—one after another. But along the way, it stopped being about creating things and started being about the space that is opened in the active of creating. Now the experience of creating brings me such joy, because somehow I came to realize that it is the space that creating opens that saves me, not what it produces. Now it doesn't matter if I finish anything. I just need to be in that space. In that holy interlude, I am grounded. Only when in conversation with what-is-eternal am I able to stand in a fundamental knowing that is unshakable. When I stand there, I feel calm. When I stand there, I'm attuned to different weather. Mark Nepo Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world won't blow your candle out. Kathering Dunham

I'm home from Summer on the East Coast, ready to begin Second Summer in Southern California (find out what this means). I talk about my big blue birthday party on Broadway and the surprise visitors who flew across the country. In this episode I welcome new listeners I met (in-person) in Boone, North Carolina through Laura McKowen's weekend retreat at Art of Living Center. I answer questions, discuss Fall Wise Circle Enrollment, and share ideas related to this juicy thought by Brianna Wiest: “Your new life is going to cost you your old one. It's going to cost you your comfort zone and your sense of direction. It's going to cost you relationships and friends. It's going to cost you being liked and understood. It doesn't matter. The people who are meant for you are going to meet you on the other side. You're going to build a new comfort zone around the things that actually move you forward. Instead of being liked, you're going to be loved. Instead of being understood, you're going to be seen. All you're going to lose is what was built for a person you no longer are. Let it go.” You don't want to miss an appearance by Harvey Rose (from one of our play sessions) and my new friend, Dharamjeev. She reads a Mary Oliver poem, ‘At Blackwater Pond', live from Beech Forest, during our visit to Provincetown, Massachusetts.

I'm simmering this summer with two words: MUSCULAR HOPE. Krista Tippet has inspired this adventure in idea.⁣ ⁣ "I talk about hope being a muscle.It's not wishful thinking, and it's not idealism. It's not even a belief that everything will turn out OK. It's an imaginative leap, which is what I've seen in people like John Lewis and Jane Goodall. ⁣ ⁣ These are people who said: 'I refuse to accept that the world has to be this way. I am going to throw my life and my pragmatism and my intelligence at this insistence that it could be different and put that into practice.'⁣ ⁣ That's a muscular hope. ⁣ ⁣ So, to your question, I don't always feel robustly hopeful. Depression is something I've struggled with. I've found the world an unbearable place for months at a time in the last two years. But at the same time I don't feel like there's a place in my work for my despair."⁣ ⁣ Read the full interview here:⁣ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/07/05/magazine/krista-tippett-interview.html⁣ ⁣ Learn more about Summer, Fall and Winter Wise Circles → viralmindfulness.com/wise-circle

In a snack-size, Summer's almost here episode, I share one of my favorite four-letter words. COAX always arrives, right on time, and encourages me. Coax is like a mantra, or prayer, that influences a shift, with gentle persuasion, flattery, etc. Even cajole! Only one more rainwater poppy painting available to purchase: viralmindfulness.com/gallery

Question from a Potential Wise Circle Traveler: "I have been subscribed to your newsletter for a bit, and also interested in what group therapy might offer me. I've been exploring the stuff on your wise circle. Could you explain a little bit about how this functions as group therapy, and what makes it different?" Welcome to Dear Alexander! Share insight, beauty and aha's. Ask me a question: viralmindfulness.com/dear-alexander. Enroll Now For A Spring Wise Circe. Tuesday Mornings → viralmindfulness.com/tuesday Wednesday Nights → viralmindfulness.com/wednesday Join me on ZOOM for a Piano Recital (and free watercolour giveaway) Saturday, April, 29, Sunday, April 30, Monday, May 1 → viralmindfulness.com/piano

Maria Papova paints with words: "The life of a garden (wise circle, podcast) is a vivid reminder that anything of beauty and radiance takes time, takes care, takes devotion to seed and sprout and bloom." Thank you for being a part of my podcast! If you'd like to go deeper with me, in a small group setting, I just opened enrollment for my Spring Wise Circle(s). Choose from two different circles. Let's bloom and flower together during the Month of May. Tuesday Circle: 9AM-10:30AM PDT. Wednesday Circle: 7PM-8:30PM PDT. Learn more and enroll at viralmindfulness.com/spring

Question from Tara: "Dear Alexander, How do I witness a loved one's pain and be supportive without becoming overcome with their pain myself?" Welcome to Dear Alexander! Share insight, beauty and aha's. Ask me a question: viralmindfulness.com/dear-alexander.

Winter's Edge 13 The Practice of Writing, Learn from it, write from it, teach from it! by Alexander Smith | Mindfulness Teacher

Winter's Edge (Guided Meditation) Tend to the Waves of Mind by Alexander Smith | Mindfulness Teacher