Podcasts about contemplative mind

Jan Zwicky reads from “George Whalley’s Contemplative Mind” and Robert Bringhurst reads from “The Bookseller,” both pieces from Brick 113. With an introduction by Brick publisher, Laurie Graham. . . . Source

Make 2024 a Great Year! Start small, but start smart. Build the new habits you want. Join our 3-week small group program in January and get 2024 off to a great start! Learn More     |     Register Here ______________________ Our thoughts often turn to gratitude during the week of Thanksgiving. What if we lived with gratitude the whole year? Kristi Nelson and Glenn Fox know how to do that - and why it's beneficial for you and others. They share their wisdom on gratitude with us in this Best of The Retirement Wisdom Podcast episode. Listen to the full podcast conversations on gratitude: Are You Living Gratefully? – Kristi Nelson The Gift of Gratitude – Glenn Fox ______________________ Takeaway - Three Blessings Exercise: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/three-good-things ______________________ Bios Kristi Nelson is the Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living (gratefulness.org).  She's also the author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. Kristi has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. In 2001, Kristi founded a values-based fundraising consulting and training, and leadership coaching business, and in this capacity worked with organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Spirit in Action, Wisdom 2.0, and The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. During this time, she was also founding Director of the Soul of Money Institute with Lynne Twist, Director of Development at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Director of Development and Community Relations for the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. Kristi received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master's in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies, from Harvard University. Kristi is a stage IV cancer survivor who feels blessed to work with her beloved colleagues in sharing the gifts of gratefulness with people around the world. She lives in Western MA with her family, and gives thanks every day to be surrounded by the glories of the natural world and a vibrant, loving community. ________ Dr. Glenn Fox is a faculty member at the University of Southern California's Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, in the Marshall School of Business. His current projects focus on neural systems for emotion regulation, high stakes training, and developing entrepreneurial mindset skills in founders and business leaders. Glenn received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from USC, where he focused on the neural correlates of gratitude, empathy, and neuroplasticity. Following graduate school, he started a company, Ph.D. Insight L.L.C., which focused on providing data science consulting for small businesses and early-stage startups. Prior to joining Marshall as a faculty member, Glenn led the Performance Science Institute at USC where he worked with the United States Marine Corps, Army Research Laboratories, Seattle Seahawks, and numerous Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 companies to examine the role of mindset in business and high stakes pursuits. Currently, Glenn is the Director and Founder of the USC Found Well Initiative which aims to understand and promote entrepreneurial mindset in founders and business leaders. He also serves as a Principal Investigator at the USC Sensorimotor Assessment and Rehabilitation Training in Virtual Reality Center (SMART-VR) and a fellow of the Brain and Creativity Institute. Outside of USC, Glenn serves as the Chief Science Officer of the C4 Foundation, which serves to strengthen and protect Navy SEAL families. Glenn is also currently on the advisory board of the Flow Rese...

Richard Sclove's newest book — Escaping Maya's Palace: Decoding an Ancient Myth to Reveal and Heal the Hidden Madness of Modern Civilization (Karavelle Press, 2023)— won a 2023 Gold Nautlilus Book Award, capturing the top prize in the category “World Cultures' Transformational Development & Growth.” Richard founded and for thirteen years directed the Loka Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making research, science, and technology responsive to democratically decided priorities. He is also a cofounder of the ECAST (Expert and Citizens Assessment of Science and Technology) network and of the Living Knowledge network. He has been the Director of Strategic Planning at the Mind and Life Institute, co-founded by the Dalai Lama, and a Project Director at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. Richard's 1995 book Democracy and Technology received the Don K. Price Award of the American Political Science Association honoring “the year's best book in science, technology, and politics.” He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has published in numerous venues, including the Washington Post, Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, Adbusters, Yes! Magazine, Utne Reader, Tikkun, Huffington Post, Technology Review, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Science magazine, Nature magazine, Issues in Science and Technology, Futures, and Science, Technology and Human Values. Dr. Sclove has taught and lectured at universities worldwide and delivered many plenary and keynote addresses. He has prepared invited testimony for the House Science Committee of the U.S. Congress and given one-on-one policy briefings to U.S. and other national decision-makers, including the Director of the National Science Foundation and the President's Science Advisor. Richard earned his B.A. degree in environmental studies from experimental, interdisciplinary Hampshire College and, from MIT, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and a Ph.D. in political theory. He held the Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowship in Economics at the University of California at Berkeley. Richard has been a meditator for over 40 years, studied with more than half a dozen spiritual teachers, and lived for a year in an ashram/orphanage in Varanasi, India. Dr. Susan Grelock Yusem is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. She directs narrative development at the innovative global nonprofit Commonweal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Richard Sclove's newest book — Escaping Maya's Palace: Decoding an Ancient Myth to Reveal and Heal the Hidden Madness of Modern Civilization (Karavelle Press, 2023)— won a 2023 Gold Nautlilus Book Award, capturing the top prize in the category “World Cultures' Transformational Development & Growth.” Richard founded and for thirteen years directed the Loka Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making research, science, and technology responsive to democratically decided priorities. He is also a cofounder of the ECAST (Expert and Citizens Assessment of Science and Technology) network and of the Living Knowledge network. He has been the Director of Strategic Planning at the Mind and Life Institute, co-founded by the Dalai Lama, and a Project Director at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. Richard's 1995 book Democracy and Technology received the Don K. Price Award of the American Political Science Association honoring “the year's best book in science, technology, and politics.” He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has published in numerous venues, including the Washington Post, Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, Adbusters, Yes! Magazine, Utne Reader, Tikkun, Huffington Post, Technology Review, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Science magazine, Nature magazine, Issues in Science and Technology, Futures, and Science, Technology and Human Values. Dr. Sclove has taught and lectured at universities worldwide and delivered many plenary and keynote addresses. He has prepared invited testimony for the House Science Committee of the U.S. Congress and given one-on-one policy briefings to U.S. and other national decision-makers, including the Director of the National Science Foundation and the President's Science Advisor. Richard earned his B.A. degree in environmental studies from experimental, interdisciplinary Hampshire College and, from MIT, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and a Ph.D. in political theory. He held the Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowship in Economics at the University of California at Berkeley. Richard has been a meditator for over 40 years, studied with more than half a dozen spiritual teachers, and lived for a year in an ashram/orphanage in Varanasi, India. Dr. Susan Grelock Yusem is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. She directs narrative development at the innovative global nonprofit Commonweal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology

Richard Sclove's newest book — Escaping Maya's Palace: Decoding an Ancient Myth to Reveal and Heal the Hidden Madness of Modern Civilization (Karavelle Press, 2023)— won a 2023 Gold Nautlilus Book Award, capturing the top prize in the category “World Cultures' Transformational Development & Growth.” Richard founded and for thirteen years directed the Loka Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making research, science, and technology responsive to democratically decided priorities. He is also a cofounder of the ECAST (Expert and Citizens Assessment of Science and Technology) network and of the Living Knowledge network. He has been the Director of Strategic Planning at the Mind and Life Institute, co-founded by the Dalai Lama, and a Project Director at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. Richard's 1995 book Democracy and Technology received the Don K. Price Award of the American Political Science Association honoring “the year's best book in science, technology, and politics.” He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has published in numerous venues, including the Washington Post, Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, Adbusters, Yes! Magazine, Utne Reader, Tikkun, Huffington Post, Technology Review, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Science magazine, Nature magazine, Issues in Science and Technology, Futures, and Science, Technology and Human Values. Dr. Sclove has taught and lectured at universities worldwide and delivered many plenary and keynote addresses. He has prepared invited testimony for the House Science Committee of the U.S. Congress and given one-on-one policy briefings to U.S. and other national decision-makers, including the Director of the National Science Foundation and the President's Science Advisor. Richard earned his B.A. degree in environmental studies from experimental, interdisciplinary Hampshire College and, from MIT, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and a Ph.D. in political theory. He held the Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowship in Economics at the University of California at Berkeley. Richard has been a meditator for over 40 years, studied with more than half a dozen spiritual teachers, and lived for a year in an ashram/orphanage in Varanasi, India. Dr. Susan Grelock Yusem is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. She directs narrative development at the innovative global nonprofit Commonweal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

Whether it's the result of a single traumatic event, or one that's prolonged, the impact of stressful situations can spread to students' cognition, emotional regulation, and ability to connect with others. In this episode we're talking with Adam Wolfsdorf and Kristen Wedlock, authors of the book Navigating Trauma in the English Classroom. What is trauma, and how does it show up in school? How can we create space to process trauma together? ---------- To further explore how theorists and therapists approach trauma, please see below for references and resources that are mentioned in this episode: • Peter Levine, PhD: Somatic Experiencing & Pendulation: https://traumahealing.org/ • Bessel van der kolk: PTSD and Memory; The Body Keeps the Score: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/ • Stephen Porges, PhD: Polyvagal Theory & Neuroception: stephenporges.com • Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: https://www.mindfulnesscds.com/ • Arielle Schwartz, PhD: Somatic Therapy & Post Traumatic Growth: https://drarielleschwartz.com • Nkem Ndefo: Resilience Tool Kit: lumostransforms.com • Staci K. Haines: Politics of Trauma & Trauma and Social Justice: www.thepoliticsoftrauma.com, www.generativesomatics.org • Scott Lyons: Founder of the Embody Lab: https://www.theembodylab.com/ • Elizabeth Dutro, PhD: Trauma and Pedagogy: https://elizabethdutro.com/ • Naropa University Faculty: Contemplative Pedagogy: https://www.naropa.edu/the-naropa-difference/mindfulness-and-contemplative-education/ • The Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education: professional development opportunities: https://www.contemplativemind.org/programs/acmhe

Dr. Cacciatore specializes in counseling those affected by traumatic death.  She works with and counsels families from all around the world who have experienced catastrophic deaths. Her therapeutic interventions are always presence-and-mindfulness based and include narrative, dialectical, and trauma-focused therapies. She also teaches meditation, mindfulness, and compassion and ahimsa practices to students and clients from around the world.As an advocate of “green” mental health care after a traumatic experience, she is a member of the American Psychotherapy Association, the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the National Center for Crisis Management. She spearheaded and directs the graduate Certificate in Trauma and Bereavement program at ASU.Her research has been published extensively in peer reviewed journals such as The Lancet, Birth, Death Studies, Omega Journal of Death and Dying, Social Work, Social Work and Healthcare, and Families in Society.Dr. Cacciatore received her Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Masters degree and Bachelor's degree in psychology from Arizona State University.  Her work has been featured in major media sources such as People and Newsweek magazines, the New York Times, Boston Globe, CNN, National Public Radio, and the Los Angeles Times.She has been the recipient of many regional and national awards for her empathic work and service to people suffering traumatic grief. Among them, the Hon Kachina Award in 2007, the Sr Teresa Compassionate Care Award, the Empathic Therapist of the Year Award, Arizona Foothills Arizona Women Who Move the Valley Award, and the Parents of Murdered Children Father Ken Czillinger Award.

Kristi Nelson, Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living, is also the author ofhttps://gratefulness.org/wake-up/ ( Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted). Her life's work in the non-profit sector has focused on leading, inspiring, and strengthening organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. Being a long-time stage IV cancer survivor moves her every day to support others in living and loving with great fullness of heart. In 2001 – after five years leading a regionalhttps://www.mywomensfund.org/ ( Women's Fund) – Kristi founded a values-based fundraising consulting/coaching company, and in this capacity worked with organizations such ashttps://buddhistpeacefellowship.org/ ( Buddhist Peace Fellowship),https://spiritinaction.net/ ( Spirit in Action),https://www.jewishspirituality.org/ ( Institute for Jewish Spirituality),https://www.wisdom2summit.com/ ( Wisdom 2.0), andhttps://www.contemplativemind.org/ ( The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society), among others. Since then, she has been founding Director ofhttp://www.lynnetwist.com/about-lynne-twist/about-the-soul-of-money-institute/ ( Soul of Money Institute) with Lynne Twist, Director of Development athttps://kripalu.org/ ( Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health), and Director of Development and Community Relations for thehttps://www.ummhealth.org/center-mindfulness ( Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society). Kristi received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master's in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies from Harvard University. What you will learn in this episode: Understanding and practicing the five principles of grateful living The traumatic events that led Kristi to take stock of her life and write her book as a way to share her experience and acknowledge the need to look for the opportunities hidden in adversity The importance of cultivating a grateful perspective and being genuinely present in your life How Kristi connects with her mortality through the life force of breath  Why living gratefully gives us the ability to be deeply connected to joy and contentment The practice Kristi does every day that helps her reframe obligations as opportunities Resources: Website: https://gratefulness.org/ (https://gratefulness.org/)  Book:https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Grateful-Transformative-Practice/dp/1635862442 ( Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-nelson-9b9ba3168/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-nelson-9b9ba3168/)  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-network-for-grateful-living-inc-/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-network-for-grateful-living-inc-/)  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gratefulness.org (https://www.facebook.com/gratefulness.org)  Twittehttps://twitter.com/GratefulnessOrg (r: https://twitter.com/GratefulnessOrg) Additional Resources: https://www.amazon.com/Slaying-Onion-Unveil-highest-potential-ebook/dp/B094C6S7RZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CQSDOLNATAJ7&dchild=1&keywords=april+ballestero+slaying+the+onion&qid=1624598750&sprefix=april+balleste%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-1 (Slaying the Onion Book ) https://www.onelightacademy.com/courses/slaying-the-onion (Buy Slaying the Onion Book here) and receive a signed copy, the course, and access to a community This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

This is Episode 12 of "Centering Centers", a POD Network podcast that explores the work of Centers of Teaching and Learning and the vision and insights of educational developers in higher education. This episode features Ileana Hernandez, Assistant Director for Assessment, Evaluation & Development, Center for the Advancement of Teaching at Florida International University. Here is a transcript of the podcast. Some of the resources mentioned in the podcast are linked below. FIU's Contemplative Practices in Education initiative The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness by Rhonda V. Magee Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness by David Treleaven Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett Contemplative Practices in Higher Education: Powerful Methods to Transform Teaching and Learning by Daniel P. Barbezat and Mirabai Bush Contemplative Mind in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning by Patricia Owen-Smith UCLA Mindful Awareness Practices classes Dr. Mays Imad, neuroscientist & expert on trauma-informed teaching and education Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and the Contemplative Practices Tree

Lisa is solo today and is joined by Rhonda V. Magee, author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulnes. Rhonda V. Magee (M.A. Sociology, J.D.) is a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco and an internationally-recognized thought and practice leader focused on integrating mindfulness into higher education, law and social change work. A prolific author, she draws on law and legal history to weave storytelling, poetry, analysis and practices into inspiration for changing how we think, act and live better together in a rapidly changing world.Born in North Carolina in 1967, Rhonda experienced a childhood of significant trauma and challenge. Yet, she was gifted with the insight that through a life of caring engagement, self-development, and service with others, she could find a way up and out. She has dedicated her life to healing and teaching in ways that support others in a journey to wholeness and justice. A student of a variety of Buddhist and other wisdom teachers, including Norman Fischer, Joan Halifax and Jon Kabat Zinn, she trained as a mindfulness teacher through the Oasis Teacher Training Institute of the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. She teaches mindfulness-based interventions, awareness, and compassion practices from a range of traditions. A former President of the board of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, Professor Magee is a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, where she recently completed a two-year term on its steering council. She is a member of the board of advisors of the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness and the board of directors for the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute.A professor of Law for twenty years (tenured since 2004), Rhonda teaches courses dealing civil actions for personal injury and insurance recovery; courses dealing with race and inequality; and a course she co-created on mindfulness and lawyering, Rhonda is experienced in interpersonal dynamics-informed small group facilitation (supported by training, retreats, and practice through a variety of programs, including Stanford University's Interpersonal Dynamics Facilitator Program and Gregory Kramer's Insight Dialogue). Rhonda's teaching and writing support compassionate conflict engagement and management; holistic problem-solving to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable and injured; presence-based leadership in a diverse world, and humanizing approaches to education. She sees embodied mindfulness meditation and the allied disciplines of study and community engagement as keys to personal, interpersonal, and collective transformation in the face of the challenges and opportunities of our time.Rhonda has served as a guest teacher in a variety of mindfulness teacher training programs, including those sponsored by the Mindfulness Awareness Research Center (2017, 2018), led by Diana Winston, the Engaged Mindfulness Institute, led by Fleet Maull (2017, 2018), and the Center for Mindfulness (2017), led by Saki Santorelli and Judson Brewer. She serves as daylong or retreat co-leader and solo teacher at centers including Spirit Rock Meditation Center, the Garrison Institute, the Shambhala Mountain Center, the Omega Institute, Esalen and New York Insight Meditation Center.Rhonda is the author of numerous articles and book chapters on mindfulness in legal education, and on teaching about race using mindfulness, including “Educating Lawyers to Meditate?” 79 UMKC L. Rev. 535 (2011), “The Way of ColorInsight: Understanding Race and Law Effectively Using Mindfulness-Based ColorInsight Practices”, 8 Georgetown J. of Mod. Crit. Race Perspectives 251 (2016), “Teaching Mindfulness with Mindfulness of Diversity,” in McCown et al, Resources for Teaching Mindfulness: An International Handbook (Springer, 2017), and “Community Engaged Mindfulness 

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You don't want to miss this layered conversation that addresses racism, privilege and fragility.  Experts Rhonda Magee, Ram Mahalingam and Mirabai Bush talk to Barry about contemplative practice and equity issues. The four of them draw on their experiences and mindfulness practices to provide a rich dialogue on navigating racial justice.  Show notes: Rhonda V. Magee is a professor of law at the University of San Francisco. Also trained in sociology and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), she is a highly practiced facilitator of trauma-sensitive, restorative MBSR interventions for lawyers and law students, and for minimizing the effects of social-identity-based bias. Ram Mahalingam is a cultural psychologist, award-winning researcher, teacher, mentor, artist, and filmmaker.  His current research concerns nurturing a caring and compassionate workplace that treats its workers with dignity. Mirabai Bush is a senior fellow at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She has led mindfulness training for lawyers, judges, educators, environmental leaders, activists, students, and the army, and was a key developer of Search Inside Yourself at Google.

Diagnosed at age 33 with end-stage cancer and thriving IN NEW WAYS now 28 years later, Kristi offers a unique and uplifting perspective on embracing gratefulness.She offers many practices and 5 KEY PRINCIPLES of gratefulness for coming alive in new ways that go far beyond what many of us know about gratitude, which we'll talk about later.Here is one major distinction she notes: “Gratitude waits for something to happen; gratefulness just waits for us to be awake.”Kristi Nelson is the author of the recently released book, Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted, and the Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living. She has spent her adult life immersed in the rewarding work of non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change.In 2001, Kristi founded a values-based fundraising consulting and training and leadership coaching company, and in this capacity, worked with organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Spirit in Action, Wisdom 2.0, and The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, among others. She was also the founding Director of the Soul of Money Institute with Lynne Twist, Director of Development at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Director of Development and Community Relations for the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society.Kristi received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master's in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies from Harvard University.“My illness taught me greater empathy for the wounded places inside everyone that we cannot see, touch, or imagine — and not to take what we see of each other at face value. So many of our illnesses, struggles, and disabilities are hidden, and many people who appear to have disabilities are, in other ways, far more intact than we might be. The most important parts of us long for the sincere invitation to show themselves and be acknowledged in both our brokenness and beauty.The surgery to remove cancer that had metastasized to my spine repaired me and readied me for treatment. But it did far more than that. It cracked me open and taught me unmitigated awe for the capacities of the body to function, to repair and recover, to heal, and to carry on. It opened my eyes and heart to better appreciate the courage with which so many people live their days. The human capacity for tenacity and resilience is perpetually astonishing. I learned that our bodies are a never-ending blessing worthy of our full-blown, moment-to-momentappreciation and wonder — no matter what.” -- Kristi Nelson-- “Grateful living reminds you that the body is worthy of your most grateful regard and is always available to receive your care. No matter how broken you might feel, remember that you are always whole. And you are always a source of awe, just as you are. It is a hugely generative practice to bring greater tenderness and empathy to the body — yours and others'.” -- Kristi NelsonKristi defines what living with gratitude means to her and how her sense of worthiness impacts her work now and her sense of living gratefully.Utilizing the principles of STOP, LOOK, and GO, which she describes in detail, can help unlock gratitude.Other key thoughts of hers:“ When appreciation guides our relationship to ourselves, and we feel self-compassion, this provides us a frame of reference to better appreciate and feel compassion for others too.” * * *“Possibility is awakened, or not, every day through how we treat ourselves...We cannot know what is possible with others or with life until we give ourselves permission for a more unlimited and grateful experience of ourselves.” * * *“If you were to STOP WAITING and treat yourself exactly as you long to, what new opportunities would arise?” We discuss the power of emotions, feeling them, welcoming them, and BECOMING VULNERABLE.Gail discusses the importance of learning to receive to improve health and well-being.  She says in her own book, Cancer as a Love Story, and in coaching others through transformation and cancer, that many who get breast cancer are in the helping professions and often over give to others, sometimes at the expense of their own health.--Kristi noted she had to learn to receive through her healing journey and made a profound statement: “Giving at the expenseof receiving is selfish.” Kristi elaborates on how hard that was for her to do initially, and how receiving changed her life.She also offers a key insight on valuing others: “May you hold your relationships as sacred, with humility and generosity.” ~ Kristi NelsonBrilliant Grateful Rule Questions for leaning in and listening Kristi shares:What do you want me to be sure to understand? What would make you feel seen and understood right now? What could I do or say that would be reparative or healing for you? What would be meaningful to you as an outcome of this conversation? What other questions would help get to the matter at heart?THE 5 GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF GRATEFULNESS offered by Kristi:1) Life is a Gift. When you greet each moment gratefully, you are always receiving.2) Everything is a Surprise. When you open to wonder, opportunities abound.3) The Ordinary is Extraordinary. When you take nothing for granted, life is abundant.4) Appreciation is Generative. When you tend what you value, what you value thrives.5) Love is Transformative. When you embrace the fullness of life, your heart overflows.Kristi's brilliant book: Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted, which is now available at Bookshop (Indie book purveyors), Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.To learn more about Kristi's work as Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living, go to gratefulness.org, where there are also many daily meditations and practices for expanding in gratefulness.

In this bonus episode with author Kristi Nelson, we talk about how she transitioned her self-perception from “creativity appreciator” to “creative person.” She also talks about the gift of envy and how it has served her. Kristi Nelson is the executive director of A Network for Grateful Living and author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. She has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. In 2001, Kristi founded a values-based fundraising consulting and training, and leadership coaching business, and in this capacity worked with organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Spirit in Action, Wisdom 2.0, and The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. During this time, she was also founding Director of the Soul of Money Institute with Lynne Twist, Director of Development at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Director of Development and Community Relations for the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. She received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies, from Harvard University.Kristi Nelson’s book: Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing For GrantedKristi’s moving story of living through stage IV cancer  This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at emergingform.substack.com/subscribe

How might gratefulness infuse your creative practice with trust, awe, acceptance and wonder? In this episode we speak with Kristi Nelson, author of Wake Up Grateful: the Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted, about the surprisingly practical ways gratefulness inspires and fuels our creativity. She offers lots of prompts and how-to steps. Kristi Nelson is the executive director of A Network for Grateful Living and author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. She has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. In 2001, Kristi founded a values-based fundraising consulting and training, and leadership coaching business, and in this capacity worked with organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Spirit in Action, Wisdom 2.0, and The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. During this time, she was also founding Director of the Soul of Money Institute with Lynne Twist, Director of Development at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Director of Development and Community Relations for the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. She received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies, from Harvard University.Kristi Nelson’s book: Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing For Grantedhttps://gratefulness.org/Kristi’s story of moving through stage IV cancer https://gratefulness.org/resource-category/poetry/ This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at emergingform.substack.com/subscribe

This week, after the Nonviolence Report. Nonviolence Radio broadcasts a recording of a speech from the keynote from the Association for the Contemplative Mind in Higher Education’s 2017 conference by Dr. Fania Davis. As the founder of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, a legal scholar, and a decades-long activist in the civil rights anti-racial violence, anti-apartheid, Black liberation, women’s, prisoner’s, peace, socialist and anti-imperialist movements, Dr. Davis talks about the power of restorative justice — as opposed to retributive justice — to heal and bring together communities fractured by violence, racism, fear and rage.  What is restorative justice? It is a worldview, rooted in indigenous principles, and a theory of justice that emphasizes bringing together everyone affected by wrongdoing to address their needs and responsibilities and to heal the harm as much as possible. To heal the harm as much as possible. It is a worldview rooted in indigenous principles and a theory of justice. Our prevailing justice system is based on a Roman notion of just desserts. If I do harm, the scales of justice become imbalanced and the only way to rebalance is to do harm to me.  Restorative justice invites a paradigm shift.  The three questions retributive justice asks are, “What rule was broken? Who broke it? And what punishment is deserved?” The three questions restorative justice asks are, “Who was harmed? What are the needs and responsibilities of everyone impacted? And how do all impacted come together to address needs and responsibilities and heal the harm? By drawing on her strengths as both a (wisdom, spiritual) warrior and a healer, Dr. Davis has helped bring about massive changes in the Oakland public schools. The use of restorative justice practices has raised graduation rates, drastically decreased the numbers of suspensions and absences and is starting to loosen the tight grip of racism on the education system and our society. The possibility of genuine healing depends on making space — creating a circle — where every voice matters and every voice is heard. The post Nonviolence in the Justice System appeared first on Metta Center.

Author of Wake Up Grateful and the Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living, Kristi Nelson joins Terry to explore the elusively obvious gift of this very breath and moment and the transformational practice of living with grateful generosity at this moment in our human journey. Kristi illuminates the differences between gratitude and gratefulness, and how the uncaused and unconditional nature of gratefulness enables us to stay open-hearted, in all of the ordeal and the ordinariness of this life. Kristi Nelson has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development — leading, funding, and strengthening organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. In 2001, she founded a values-based consulting and leadership coaching business and worked with organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Spirit in Action, Wisdom 2.0, and The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She was also Founding Director of the Soul of Money Institute with Lynne Twist, Director of Development at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Director of Development and Community Relations for the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. Kristi is a stage IV cancer survivor who feels blessed to be sharing the gifts of gratefulness with people around the world in a vibrant, loving community. Now, she is the author of a wonderful new book, Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. Also:  We want to officially invite you to become a Friend of State of Emergence — a new way to engage with the podcast conversation and access new live discussions and Q&A with me every month. Our first session will be at 12 Noon PDT on December 29th 2020. Additionally, you’re invited to be part of our vibrant, growing, international community at A New Republic of the Heart in other new ways — check out the options here on our website. We hope you’ll join us! For more information on Kristi Nelson and Terry Patten, check out the following resources: Kristi’s new book, Wake Up Grateful: The Transformational Practice of Not Taking Anything for Granted A Network for Grateful Living: Gratefulness.org State of Emergence podcast website A New Republic of the Heart website

The benefits of gratitude are plentiful. Yet there's a tendency to take things for granted, even what matters most. How can gratefulness be cultivated without the painful experience of a wake-up call? Our guest, Kristi Nelson, author of the new book Wake Up Grateful, shares her wisdom on how to develop the mindset and practices to be grateful in our day to day lives. Kristi and I discuss: The mission of her organization A Network for Grateful Living The distinction between gratitude and gratefulness - and why it matters The role gratefulness has played in her life Why gratefulness is especially important now How being grateful can help relationships Why Thanksgiving can be a springboard to gratefulness year-round Her new book: Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted What one thing you can start to do if you want to be more grateful in your life Kristi joins us from Massachusetts. __________________________ Bio Kristi Nelson is the Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living (gratefulness.org).  She’s also the author of a new book Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. Kristi has spent most of her adult life in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. In a wide variety of roles, she has helped to lead, fund, and strengthen organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. In 2001, Kristi founded a values-based fundraising consulting and training, and leadership coaching business, and in this capacity worked with organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Spirit in Action, Wisdom 2.0, and The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. During this time, she was also founding Director of the Soul of Money Institute with Lynne Twist, Director of Development at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Director of Development and Community Relations for the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. Kristi received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies, from Harvard University. Kristi is a stage IV cancer survivor who feels blessed to work with her beloved colleagues in sharing the gifts of gratefulness with people around the world. She lives in Western MA with her family, and gives thanks every day to be surrounded by the glories of the natural world and a vibrant, loving community. ______________________________ Wise Quotes On Gratitude versus Gratefulness "And I've done some pretty deep dives into the exploration because we love feeling gratitude. It's a fantastic feeling and we love inciting gratitude and other people helping other people feel grateful and yet gratitude tends to be conditional it's fleeting. It's transactional. Often we wait for somebody to do something for us or for something to happen. As we said from the outset it's something that is ephemeral and difficult for us to put our hands around. How do I get more gratitude inducing experiences? And it ends up being a little bit like the pursuit of happiness. I think in that way it's elusive. And it feels out there gratefulness, as I was saying before, is something that we can cultivate as a practice, very similar to mindfulness. And it's a beautiful way to weave together more moments of gratitude. And to learn how to find those experiences of gratitude and to uplift them and to deepen ourselves into them more often. So it's not about being grateful for everything, but gratefulness as the ability to be grateful in every moment. And that's something that we can learn."   On What's Essential  "So this has been a really tough year. I think it's taught us what's essential and helped us come home to that question of How do we value and really live into what is essential fo...

Dr. Diane Goodman joins Francesca to talk about why it is important to distinguish our different experiences, especially among and between Black and Jewish folks. Trainer, consultant, professor, speaker, author, and activist, Diane Goodman has been addressing issues of diversity and social justice for over 30 years. As a trainer and consultant, Diane and her associates have worked with a wide range of organizations, community groups, and educational institutions to build their capacity around diversity and social justice issues. Using a participatory approach, she helps people increase their awareness, knowledge, and skills to foster equity and inclusion. Programs address how cultural differences and issues of power and privilege affect individuals, interpersonal relationships, and organizational culture and practices. She offers practical strategies and skills to enable people to create more positive intergroup relations, and institutional and societal change.As a regular presenter at national and international conferences, Diane has offered institutes and sessions at NCORE (National Conference on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Higher Education), Teachers College Roundtable on Multicultural Psychology and Education, The White Privilege Conference, The Diversity Challenge, AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities), Association of Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE), Creating Change, NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education), ACPA, NASPA, among others. She also gives talks and keynote speeches. Diane earned a B.A. from Tufts University in Psychology and Child Development and an M.Ed. and Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a focus on social justice education, group and organizational development, and counseling. Her humor, openness, insight, and compassion make her sessions engaging and meaningful. Learn more about at dianegoodman.com Not Equal Francesca and Dr. Goodman explore the complications that arise when we equate our own trauma and suffering to others. “There is a very real reality of anti-Semitism and that is different than the very real reality of racism and anti-blackness.” – Dr. Diane Goodman The Privilege of a Lighter Pallete (22:55) Dr. Goodman talks about the ways that Jews who look like her can sometimes benefit from being identified as white by others. “I think that it is really important, and this is what I try to do when I work with white Jews – is to both recognize the reality of anti-Semitism and the reality of white privilege, and that Jews have been able to assimilate with whiteness.” – Dr. Diane Goodman Francesca Maximé explores roots deeper than whiteness on ReRooted Ep. 14 https://dianegoodman.com/

In this Episode 2 host Ron Barnett provides an update on the scheduling and interviewing of the initial group of guests. And shares a reflection on the nature of contemplative mind in contrast to our ordinary always running "thinking mind".All Things Contemplative Blog & Host Contact

Dr. Diane Goodman joins Francesca to talk about why it is important to distinguish our different experiences.Trainer, consultant, professor, speaker, author, and activist, Diane Goodman has been addressing issues of diversity and social justice for over 30 years. As a trainer and consultant, Diane and her associates have worked with a wide range of organizations, community groups, and educational institutions to build their capacity around diversity and social justice issues. Using a participatory approach, she helps people increase their awareness, knowledge, and skills to foster equity and inclusion. Programs address how cultural differences and issues of power and privilege affect individuals, interpersonal relationships, and organizational culture and practices. She offers practical strategies and skills to enable people to create more positive intergroup relations, and institutional and societal change.As a regular presenter at national and international conferences, Diane has offered institutes and sessions at NCORE (National Conference on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Higher Education), Teachers College Roundtable on Multicultural Psychology and Education, The White Privilege Conference, The Diversity Challenge, AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities), Association of Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE), Creating Change, NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education), ACPA, NASPA, among others. She also gives talks and keynote speeches. Diane earned a B.A. from Tufts University in Psychology and Child Development and an M.Ed. and Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a focus on social justice education, group and organizational development, and counseling. Her humor, openness, insight, and compassion make her sessions engaging and meaningful. Learn more about at dianegoodman.com

Mirabai Bush teaches contemplative practices and develops programs through the application of contemplative principles and values to organizational life. Her spiritual studies include two years in India with Hindu teacher Neemkaroli Baba; meditation in monasteries with Buddhist teachers. Mirabai Bush was a co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and served as Executive Director there until 2008. Mirabai has trekked, traveled, and lived in many countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Morocco, and the Caribbean. She is an organic gardener in Western Massachusetts and the mother of one adult son. Check out her book with Ram Dass Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying Please enjoy! Please visit https://nishantgarg.me/podcasts for more info. Follow Nishant: Instagram: instagram.com/garg_nishant https://www.facebook.com/NishantMindfulnessMatters/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishant-garg-b7a20339/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nishant82638150

Mirabai Bush is Senior Fellow and founder of the Center on Contemplative Mind in Society, which encourages contemplative practice and perspective to create a more just, compassionate, and reflective society. Mirabai Bush is co-author of several books including two with Ram Dass: Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service, and her latest collaboration, Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Love and Dying. Find out more at mirabaibush.com.The music provided for this show is thanks to Spring Groove and is called Love is the Answer - https://open.spotify.com/album/649zFR7CjIUrBwjjtVpF3E

Ram Dass' 1971 book, "Be Here Now," was the gateway drug into spirituality for a lot of young people seeking answers in the era of Vietnam. Dass first tried being a psychology professor at Harvard, where he and colleague Timothy Leary sought God through experiments with psychedelics. Then, he went to India and found his guru, who taught him how to feel high without the drugs. Many young people followed him to India, The chose to feed the hungry and serve the people, just as Ram Dass tended to the dying, the blind, and the incarcerated. They searched for meaning away from the political tumult of 1960's America. There are parallels to today. Ram Dass died last month. But his words and life are inspiring a new generation of followers who are using the teachings of Ram Dass to find something bigger than the division and hatred evident in this political moment. GUESTS: Chris Grosso is a writer, public speaker, and author with Simon & Schuster. He’s also the host of The Indie Spiritualist Podcast on Ram Dass Be Here Now Network. Mirabai Bush - is a Senior Fellow of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and a founding board member with Ram Dass of the Seva Foundation. She is co-author with Ram Dass of Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying Sharon Saltzberg is the Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in and the author of 10 books, including NYT bestseller, “Lovingkindness." Her newest book, “Real Change: Mindfulness To Heal Ourselves and the World,” will be published this summer. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“There is nothing faith-based in the least about the Buddhist approach to spirituality. It is also direct and personal, there is no intermediary needed to access, to experience and to investigate the spiritual path in Buddhism”   Description: Harvey Schwartz welcomes Dr. Kathleen A. Lyon, who is a Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst at the Psychoanalytic Association of New York. Dr. Lyon has been practicing privately in New York City for almost 30 years. She has taught many courses in the psychoanalytic program at PANY and is currently teaching an advanced theory course on transference. She is also the former chair of the Education Committee and the Admissions Committee. Dr. Lyon has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism for over 20 years and has developed a course called Resilience Through Compassion Training which provides a structure for compassion-based practices.    As you will hear, Dr. Lyon starts from a Buddhist foundation for inner-thinking which allows her to engage patients who otherwise might be disinclined to seek treatment from a psychoanalyst. She also introduces the idea of Spiritual Bypassing, which is an appreciation of how spirituality can be used for defensive purposes. She demonstrates the skill with which she addresses those defenses for the benefit of the patient.   Key takeaways: [4:09] Dr. Lyon talks about the differentiation between Buddhism, meditation and mindfulness. [9:54] The Buddhist practice is the practice of meditation. [10:40] Meditation is divided into two main categories: the concentrative and mindfulness practices. [13:22] Where does the sense of self reside? [16:05] The more experience a person has in meditative practice, the greater increase in one’s confidence in their ability to tolerate states that had been perceived as intolerable. [17:47] The sense of self includes the sense of others and relationships. [18:50] Dr. Lyon shares the concept of spiritual bypassing. [22:45] Dr. Lyon presents examples of spiritual bypassing. [33:04] Dr. Lyon shares how she became interested in spirituality and Buddhist practices. [35:56] Dr. Lyon runs programs based on compassion based practices and meditation.   Mentioned in this episode: IPA Off the Couch www.ipaoffthecouch.org   Recommended Readings: Spiritual Bypassing in the Contemporary Mindfulness Movement. Carla Sherrell and Judith Simmer-Brown, Naropa University. Initiative for Contemplative Inquiry and Action, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2017, a special project of Journal of Contemplative Inquiry, Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education.   Psychotherapy Without the Self: A Buddhist Perspective, Mark Epstein, Chapters 1-3.  Yale University Press, 2008   What Makes You Not a Buddhist, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse. Shambhala Publications  2007

In this episode, we join David Forbes and special guest host Nomi Naeem to discuss David’s book, Mindfulness and Its Discontents: Education, Self and Social Transformation, published by Fernwood Press (2019). The first half of the interview was recorded at the Brooklyn Public Library, so the audio quality is not quite up to par, but it’s acceptable. Our wide ranging discussion examines the shortcomings and problems of how mindful school programs that have fallen prey to a neoliberal agenda, reinforcing individualistic skills of “self-regulation” of anger and stress. We explore how mindful school programs have failed to resist the sources of stress that stem from racist, inequitable, social unjust systems. David also provides a sketch of a “counter-program” that offer a way to make mindfulness a force for democratic education. David Forbes, PhD, is an emeritus in the Urban Education Doctoral Program at the CUNY Graduate Center where he teaches a course on critical mindfulness in education. He has written on and consults with K-12 educators about pivoting from neoliberal to transformative integral social mindfulness practices in schools. He is coeditor, with me, of the Handbook of Mindfulness: Culture, Context, and Social Engagement (Springer 2016) and co-host of this podcast, The Mindful Cranks. As a counselor educator David taught School Counseling at Brooklyn College/CUNY for nineteen years and wrote Boyz 2 Buddhas: Counseling Urban High School Male Athletes in the Zone (Peter Lang 2004) about his experience practicing mindfulness with a Brooklyn high school football team. At Brooklyn he was co-recipient of a Contemplative Program Development Fellowship from the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and is a member of the Mindfulness and Social Change Network based in the UK from which he is featured on a website, "Being Mindful of our World: A Collection of Social Mindfulness Voices." Muhammad Naeem, Nomi, is a Senior Librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library.

Mirabai Bush teaches, practices, and develops programs through the application of contemplative principles and values to organizational life. She is a cofounder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, founding board member of the Seva Foundation, and authored many books. Her most recent book (coauthored with Ram Dass) is called “Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying”.   In this episode we talk about her new book, moments with Ram Dass, being a loving rock for the dying and bereaved, the death of her guru (Neem Karoli Baba) and her friend (Bokara), and a grief dream of Neem Karoli Baba   You can find more about Mirabai at www.mirabaibush.com

This is episode 196 featuring an interview with C. R. Dunning, Jr., author of Contemplative Masonry: Basic Applications of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Imagery for the Craft. You can find Chuck Dunning online at https://chuckdunning.com/. "Chuck Dunning has been a Master Mason since 1988. Chuck is a Full Member of the Texas Lodge of Research and belongs to a number of other Masonic research societies. In the Scottish Rite, Chuck is a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, Director of Education for the Guthrie Valley in Oklahoma, and a Class Director for the Fort Worth Valley in Texas. In 2012 he became the founding Superintendent of the Academy of Reflection, which is a chartered organization for Scottish Rite Masons wanting to integrate contemplative practice with their Masonic experience. Chuck is a member of the Society for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education and has been engaged in various forms of contemplative practice for over three decades. In his career in higher education and mental health, in Masonry, and with other groups and individuals, he facilitates and teaches mindfulness, meditation, and imagery to enhance peoples’ experiences of life in many ways. Chuck holds a master’s degree in counselor education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from the University of North Texas. "Part of the work that has become Contemplative Masonry first appeared on the internet in 2000 as an anonymously authored guide to the exploration of Freemasonry through contemplative practices like prayer, meditation, breath work, chanting, and visualization. Sixteen years later, the original author of that material, C.R. “Chuck” Dunning, Jr., has come forward with a substantially expanded edition for those seeking to utilize Masonic symbolism and teachings in a way that is practical, accessible, inspiring, and profoundly transformative. Contemplative Masonry is a much-needed resource for Masons seeking to undertake the challenging and rewarding work of deep self-knowledge and self-improvement. Brother Dunning provides Freemasons with a unique system of practices derived directly from the Degrees of Craft Masonry, without reliance upon other religious, spiritual, or esoteric traditions. He also shares the valuable wisdom and insights that come from decades of personal experience with contemplative practices." I found Chuck Dunning’s Contemplative Masonry to be a much-needed guide to using Masonic degree lectures, symbols, and teachings in a classic, structured meditative practice designed to provide understanding of the knowledge presented in Masonic degrees and thereby further the growth and maturation process. If you have any esoteric leanings as a Mason, Dunning’s book is not only required reading, but should be put into daily practice. I was impressed not only with the book, but also with Dunning’s commitment to further Masonic education and deepen the experience and understanding of Masonry. I think you will be as well. In the Chamber of Reflection, Rudolf and I continue the interview with Chuck Dunning. We delve more deeply into contemplative Masonry and Chuck shares some eminently practical advice. I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you! https://chuckdunning.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Contemplative-Masonry-Applications-Mindfulness-Meditation/dp/1605320757/ https://academyofreflection.org/ https://www.phoenixmasonry.org/contemplative_masonry.htm The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos and the outro music is “Build” by Ernesto Schnack.

This is episode 196 featuring an interview with C. R. Dunning, Jr., author of Contemplative Masonry: Basic Applications of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Imagery for the Craft. You can find Chuck Dunning online at https://chuckdunning.com/. "Chuck Dunning has been a Master Mason since 1988. Chuck is a Full Member of the Texas Lodge of Research and belongs to a number of other Masonic research societies. In the Scottish Rite, Chuck is a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, Director of Education for the Guthrie Valley in Oklahoma, and a Class Director for the Fort Worth Valley in Texas. In 2012 he became the founding Superintendent of the Academy of Reflection, which is a chartered organization for Scottish Rite Masons wanting to integrate contemplative practice with their Masonic experience. Chuck is a member of the Society for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education and has been engaged in various forms of contemplative practice for over three decades. In his career in higher education and mental health, in Masonry, and with other groups and individuals, he facilitates and teaches mindfulness, meditation, and imagery to enhance peoples’ experiences of life in many ways. Chuck holds a master’s degree in counselor education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from the University of North Texas."Part of the work that has become Contemplative Masonry first appeared on the internet in 2000 as an anonymously authored guide to the exploration of Freemasonry through contemplative practices like prayer, meditation, breath work, chanting, and visualization. Sixteen years later, the original author of that material, C.R. “Chuck” Dunning, Jr., has come forward with a substantially expanded edition for those seeking to utilize Masonic symbolism and teachings in a way that is practical, accessible, inspiring, and profoundly transformative. Contemplative Masonry is a much-needed resource for Masons seeking to undertake the challenging and rewarding work of deep self-knowledge and self-improvement. Brother Dunning provides Freemasons with a unique system of practices derived directly from the Degrees of Craft Masonry, without reliance upon other religious, spiritual, or esoteric traditions. He also shares the valuable wisdom and insights that come from decades of personal experience with contemplative practices."I found Chuck Dunning’s Contemplative Masonry to be a much-needed guide to using Masonic degree lectures, symbols, and teachings in a classic, structured meditative practice designed to provide understanding of the knowledge presented in Masonic degrees and thereby further the growth and maturation process. If you have any esoteric leanings as a Mason, Dunning’s book is not only required reading, but should be put into daily practice. I was impressed not only with the book, but also with Dunning’s commitment to further Masonic education and deepen the experience and understanding of Masonry. I think you will be as well.In the Chamber of Reflection, Rudolf and I continue the interview with Chuck Dunning. We delve more deeply into contemplative Masonry and Chuck shares some eminently practical advice.I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you! https://chuckdunning.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Contemplative-Masonry-Applications-Mindfulness-Meditation/dp/1605320757/ https://academyofreflection.org/ https://www.phoenixmasonry.org/contemplative_masonry.htm The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos and the outro music is “Build” by Ernesto Schnack.

Mirabai Bush teaches contemplative practices and develops organizational programs based on contemplative principles and values. Among other contributions, she was a co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society; a founding board member of the Seva Foundation, an international public health organization; and a co-developer of the curriculum for Google’s Search Inside Yourself program in mindfulness-based emotional intelligence. She has also served on the boards of Shambhala Sun, Omega Institute, Military Fitness Institute, the Dalai Lama Fellows, and Love Serve Remember. A friend and associate of Ram Dass for nearly 50 years, she co-authored with him Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service. Their current collaboration is Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying. We spoke about her rich spiritual history, about Ram Dass, and mainly about dealing with death—both of others and ourselves. Learn more about Mirabai Bush here: http://www.mirabaibush.com/#about

Co-creator of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. “There is a calming, quieting, centering practice that leads to insight in every tradition.” Contemplative practice and social change. Mindful emailing. Creative, relational, ritual, cyclical. Mirabai Bush works at an emerging 21st century intersection of industry, social healing, and diverse contemplative practices. Raised Catholic with Joan of Arc as her hero, she is one of the people who brought Buddhism to the West from India in the 1970s. She is called in to work with educators and judges, social activists and soldiers. She helped create Google’s popular employee program, Search Inside Yourself. Mirabai Bush’s life tells a fascinating narrative of our time: the rediscovery of contemplative practices, in many forms and from many traditions, in the secular thick of modern culture. Mirabai Bush co-founded the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She is the author of Contemplative Practices in Higher Education and has written two books with Ram Dass: Compassion in Action and Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying. This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the On Being episode “Mirabai Bush — Contemplation, Life, and Work.” Find more at onbeing.org.

Co-creator of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. “There is a calming, quieting, centering practice that leads to insight in every tradition.” Contemplative practice and social change. Mindful emailing. Creative, relational, ritual, cyclical. Mirabai Bush works at an emerging 21st century intersection of industry, social healing, and diverse contemplative practices. Raised Catholic with Joan of Arc as her hero, she is one of the people who brought Buddhism to the West from India in the 1970s. She is called in to work with educators and judges, social activists and soldiers. She helped create Google’s popular employee program, Search Inside Yourself. Mirabai Bush’s life tells a fascinating narrative of our time: the rediscovery of contemplative practices, in many forms and from many traditions, in the secular thick of modern culture. Mirabai Bush co-founded the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She is the author of Contemplative Practices in Higher Education and has written two books with Ram Dass: Compassion in Action and Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying. Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

This guided meditation helps to find the similarities among us all. We are asked to look at each other with compassion and see how we all relate. This practice can be done while you think of a friend or a difficult person in your life. Alternatively, it can be done with a partner sitting across from you. Show notes: Meditation by Mirabai Bush Mirabai Bush is a senior fellow at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She has led mindfulness training for lawyers, judges, educators, environmental leaders, activists, students, and the army, and was a key developer of Search Inside Yourself at Google.

Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert) is a world-renowned spiritual teacher and the author of the indispensable classic Be Here Now. Despite suffering a massive stroke that left him with aphasia, Ram Dass continues to write and teach from his home in Maui. His longtime friend Mirabai Bush is the founder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, and was the one of the co-creators of Google's Search Inside Yourself program. They have teamed with Sounds True to publish Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying. In this special episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush about changing our society's dysfunctional relationship to dying, focusing on how to ease fears around the process. They talk about facing a lifetime of regrets and why going into our last moments consciously is so important. Finally, Mirabai leads listeners in a practice designed to help release attachments and comments on why grieving is an important act of love. (63 minutes) Tami's Takeaway: Ram Dass, who is now 87 years old, has planned at the time of his death for there to be an open-air funeral in Maui. He has even secured a government license for this to happen. Ever the teacher (even when it comes to his own death), Ram Dass's intention is to introduce Westerners to teachings from the East—in this case, the value of sitting with a burning corpse while contemplating impermanence and living whole-heartedly. Of course, we don't need to wait until we are at an open-air funeral to engage in such contemplation. We are each asked to die in some way every day, to let go of an old image of ourselves or an outmoded configuration of some kind. Can we embrace the dying we are going through right now? And in the process, experience our hearts breaking open so that we can live and love fully, without constraint?

Craig, Carroll and Juli talk with Betsy Delzer, Mindfulness Coordinator for The Middleton Plains School District just outside Madison, Wisconsin. Betsy is a former public school art teacher of many years who now spends her days helping students, teachers and administrators lead calmer more peaceful lives. She is a member of her district's leadership team and is full of advice for educators and parents as she is both of those. Betsy will share plenty of resources to help you, your students or your own children find more calm and peace in their lives. https://www.omyeahyogamovement.com/: Betsy Delzer's website.http://www.10percenthappier.com/: Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris. Links to his book mentioned by Betsy as well as his podcast and other helpful resources. http://amorebeautifulquestion.com/: A More Beautiful Question, book mentioned by Betsy.http://kellymcgonigal.com/books/: The Upside of Stress, book mentioned by Betsy.https://www.mindful.org/: Mindful Magazine and blog.http://www.contemplativemind.org/: The Center for Contemplative Mind in Study

Craig, Carroll and Juli talk with Betsy Delzer, Mindfulness Coordinator for The Middleton Plains School District just outside Madison, Wisconsin. Betsy is a former public school art teacher of many years who now spends her days helping students, teachers and administrators lead calmer more peaceful lives. She is a member of her district's leadership team and is full of advice for educators and parents as she is both of those. Betsy will share plenty of resources to help you, your students or your own children find more calm and peace in their lives. https://www.omyeahyogamovement.com/: Betsy Delzer's website.http://www.10percenthappier.com/: Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris. Links to his book mentioned by Betsy as well as his podcast and other helpful resources. http://amorebeautifulquestion.com/: A More Beautiful Question, book mentioned by Betsy.http://kellymcgonigal.com/books/: The Upside of Stress, book mentioned by Betsy.https://www.mindful.org/: Mindful Magazine and blog.http://www.contemplativemind.org/: The Center for Contemplative Mind in Study

Through relaxation you can break the vicious circle of pain and stress. This podcast takes you through some easy to learn methods of relaxation, helping it to become part of your daily life and improving your wellbeing. It also lists the benefits of meditation and looks at the supporting scientific evidence, examining why relaxation should be an integral component in your recovery.   Relaxation Relaxation is an integral component of cognitive behavioral treatment programs for chronic pain.1 Taking care of stress and anxiety as a chronic pain patient is crucial for your recovery.   Meditation   Meditation is also a great way to built relaxation into your daily life. There are many different ways of practicing meditation and you have to find what works best for you.   Many people enrich their lives through practicing meditation. When you read interviews with successful CEO´s, entrepreneurs or celebrities who have incorporated meditation routines in their lives it is astonishing to see the huge benefits they experience.   Personal benefits of people who meditate regularly: more happiness having more energy having more creativity living more efficiently a better understanding of ones own emotions more sensitivity to the feelings and emotions of others more control over ones own emotions less pressured by your experiences less stressed feeling more relaxed more calming thoughts control over your sensory filtering improved memory and executive function increased ability to concentrate increased emotional intelligence   Thinking about relaxation, mindfulness and awareness during our recovery can’t be done without looking at some important evidence and thoughts about meditational practices: Mindfulness meditation programs improve anxiety, depression and pain over the course of 2–6 months. The effects are comparable with those you can expect after taking antidepressants for the same period of time, but without the associated toxicities.2 47 placebo-controlled trials all found small to moderate improvements in pain, anxiety and depression. What is really great about this review (Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being from 2013) is that it demonstrates that the meditation group attained better results compared to the control group undertaking an equally intense treatment regarding focus and time, such as lectures, talks and art therapy sessions. If we consider this evidence, then it seems a good reason to check out mindfulness for yourself and see if meditation could be something for you to try.     A definition of mindfulness Mindfulness has been described as a “non-elaborative, non-judgmental awareness” of present moment experience.3 Maybe you have heard of Zen, it´s very closely related to the mindfulness approach. In general mindfulness techniques can be divided into two styles: focused attention "Focused attention is associated with maintaining focus on a specific object, often the changing sensation or flow of the breath or an external object. When attention drifts from the object of focus to a distracting sensory, cognitive or emotional event, the practitioner is taught to acknowledge the event and to disengage from it by gently returning the attention back to the object of meditation".3 open monitoring "By contrast, open monitoring is associated with a non-directed acknowledgement of any sensory, emotional or cognitive event that arises in the mind. Zen meditation is considered to be one form of open monitoring practice. While practicing open monitoring, the practitioner experiences the current sensory or cognitive ‘event’ without evaluation, interpretation, or preference".3   Many guided meditation programs consist of a mix of those two styles. Often changing from one to the other within a meditation session. I also think that it’s really important to know that clinical research into mindfulness has been going on since the early 1980s. For me this means that there is a good scientific evidence for using meditation techniques detached from religious beliefs or dogma for health purposes.   How to start There is plenty of good content on the Internet available for free, simply search for mindful meditation. Check out some talks about meditation on TED.com and be inspired, or check out www.mindful.org Here are some great resources: Free guided meditations from UCLA: Each week has a different theme, and usually includes some introductory comments, a guided meditation, some silent practice time, and closing comments. Presented by the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=107 http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22   UCSD Center for Mindfulness: Guided audio files for practicing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) from the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/mindfulness/programs/mbsr/Pages/audio.aspx   Basic meditation with Tara Brach Free meditations that you can stream or download. https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/   Contemplative Mind in Society Guided practices from Mirabai Bush, the center’s director, Diana Winston from UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, and Arthur Zajonc, president of the Mind & Life Institute. http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/recordings   Insight Meditation Society  Selected talks, podcasts, and audio streams, including various lengths of guided meditation. http://www.dharma.org/resources/audio#guided   John Kabat Zinn on youtube: Professor of Medicine Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HYLyuJZKno   Literature:  Morley S, Williams A. New Developments in the Psychological Management of Chronic Pain. CanJPsychiatry. 2015;6060(44):168-175. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga E, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being : a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357-368. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018.Meditation. Zeidan F, Grant J., Brown CA, et al. Mindfulness meditation-related pain relief: Evidence for unique brain mechanisms in the regulation of pain. Neurosci Lett. 2012;520(2):165-173. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.082.

The Contemplative Mind by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

A leading physicist and humanist, Arthur Zajonc is the former President of the Mind & Life Institute. He is also emeritus professor of physics at Amherst College, where he taught from 1978 to 2012, and former director of the Center for Contemplative Mind, which supports appropriate inclusion of contemplative practice in higher education, from 2009 to 2011.Arthur Zajonc delivered "Buddhist Technology: Bringing a New Consciousness to Our Technological Future" on October 18, 1997.If you would like a physical copy of this lecture or others like it, visit centerforneweconomics.org/order-pamphlets to purchase pamphlets of published works and transcripts. The Schumacher Center's applied work seeks to implement the principles described by these speakers within the context of the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts. Our work, both educational and applied, is supported by listeners like you. You can strengthen our mission by making a donation at centerforneweconomics.org/donate, or call us at (413) 528-1737 to make an appointment to visit our research library and office at 140 Jug End Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Mirabai Bush is co-author, with Ram Dass, of Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service. She has new CD program Working with Mindfulness from www.morethansound.net. She offers exercises from the workplace which she has taught at Google and other companies. Mirabai Bush was a co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and Executive Director there until 2008. The Center developed programs integrating contemplative practice and perspective into their lives and work. Mirabai holds a unique background of organizational management, teaching, and spiritual practice. For Seva Foundation, she co-developed Sustaining Compassion, Sustaining the Earth, a series of retreats and events for grassroots environmental activists. .Mirabai has organized, facilitated, and taught workshops, and courses on spirit and action for more than 20 years at institutions including Omega Institute, Naropa Institute, and Findhorne

Mirabai Bush has been at the forefront of building a movement known today as American spirituality. She is one of the people responsible for infusing the social change movement with contemplative tools for more conscious activism. Join us as she recalls her journey and studies with legendary teachers like Neemkaroli Baba, Shri S.N. Goenka, Anagarika Munindra, and others. We also discuss her work with Ram Dass and the Seva Foundation, as well as the inspiration that led her to cofounding the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. You don't want to miss this lesson in American spirituality and activism!

Mirabai Bush is co-author, with Ram Dass, of Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service. She has new CD program Working with Mindfulness from www.morethansound.net. She offers exercises from the workplace which she has taught at Google and other companies. Mirabai Bush was a co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and Executive Director there until 2008. The Center developed programs integrating contemplative practice and perspective into their lives and work. Mirabai holds a unique background of organizational management, teaching, and spiritual practice. For Seva Foundation, she co-developed Sustaining Compassion, Sustaining the Earth, a series of retreats and events for grassroots environmental activists. .Mirabai has organized, facilitated, and taught workshops, and courses on spirit and action for more than 20 years at institutions including Omega Institute, Naropa Institute, and Findhorne

In a world focused on increased productivity and instant gratification it's hard to imagine that businesspeople have much time for meditation. But huge corporations -- including Google Monsanto Hearst and National Grid --have discovered the benefits of meditation at work  including improved teamwork more effective decision-making and lower levels of employee stress. In this interview with Knowledge at Wharton Mirabai Bush co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society spoke with Katherine Klein vice dean of Wharton's Social Impact Initiative  about the benefits of contemplative thinking. (Podcast with transcript) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mirabai Bush, who co-founded The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, has worked with everyone from Google to troubled youth to the army, teaching the practice of mindfulness. If anyone needs more mindfulness, it’s the two Mindrollers, whose aspirations far over-reach their achievements...

Guest Charles Halpern, founder of the Center for Law and Social Policy and board chair of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, speaks with Diane Horn about his book, "Making Waves and Riding the Currents: Activism and the Practice of Wisdom."