Visualization - it’s one of those terms that brings up a lot of connotations of woo woo hippie communities, spiritual practices, and the law of attraction. “If you want a better life just visualize it and manifest it!” (Eye roll) I’ve always been very skeptical of visualization practices and their ability to bring the future … Continue reading Why you should start practicing Visualization (as backed by scientific evidence)
Meditation is a lot like the Powerball lottery
Imagine that your mind is like one of those lottery bowls. Like this - via GIPHY Each ball represents a thought. Swirling around and around inside of your head. When we sit down to meditate, thoughts, like lotto balls, will rise to the surface. I like to imagine that if I engage with the thought … Continue reading Meditation is a lot like the Powerball lottery
The mind is a good fisherman – don’t take the bait
The mind always needs to be thinking about something. Solving some problem. Remembering some memory or envisioning the future. It’s always coming up with some new thought. Trying to bait me into thinking. This was one of my biggest takeaways from the first time that I did a 10-Day Vipassana retreat - when you … Continue reading The mind is a good fisherman – don’t take the bait
The Feel Good Feedback Loop
Throughout my journey of meditation over the last few years, my biggest realizations has been that every memory has a feeling attached to it. When we think about a memory, when we visualize that experience, we FEEL it as well. So if we look back on a traumatic experience, we feel all of the emotions … Continue reading The Feel Good Feedback Loop
Now is the only moment that exists
I believe that from an experiential perspective, time is an illusion and it doesn't exist. The only moment in time that exists is NOW. Right here. This moment you are currently within, that blends into the next. and the next. and the next. The "past' and the "future" don't exist. They are just words to … Continue reading Now is the only moment that exists
Self inflicted Stress
The art of creating problems for ourselves It fascinates me how the mind can cling to a topic like a magnet and not let go of it. You read or watch something, have a frustrating conversation, perform badly, etc, and afterwards your mind is left reeling. Attached to the story of what just took place. … Continue reading Self inflicted Stress
My meditation for gratitude and self love
My favorite part of every 10-Day Vipassana Meditation retreat is at the end, when you learn to practice a technique called “Metta”, or peace loving kindness meditation. In a nutshell, I like to look at it as a meditation on gratitude, forgiveness, and love - for myself, for my friends and family, and for the … Continue reading My meditation for gratitude and self love
Trying to stop thinking is like telling the ocean to stop making waves
In many meditation practices there is a misconception that there is a need to “stop thinking” or “clear the mind” - that you will eventually reach a state of thoughtlessness with enough practice. I believe that this is an unrealistic goal and the primary reason why most beginning meditators get frustrated. Clearing the mind is … Continue reading Trying to stop thinking is like telling the ocean to stop making waves
Awareness is painful
Meditation has made me more sensitive - and I can't turn it off “People who are spiritually minded tend to suffer from anxiety and depression more. Why?... Because they literally have an increased ability to feel the emotions of people around them.” - Osho My journey in meditation began 5 years ago when I completed … Continue reading Awareness is painful
Pain brings us back to the present moment
Using discomfort as an opportunity for mindfulness I’ve been meditating for the last 5 years now, but there’s one thing that I have consistently avoided….correcting my posture. I can sit up straight for about 20 minutes or so, but after that, I gradually start to relax, and by the time I’m 30-40 minutes in I’m … Continue reading Pain brings us back to the present moment