Anger is a common human emotion, like sadness, happiness, disgust, and fear. Anger has a few different flavors. On one end of the spectrum, there’s fiery rage and seething anger. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s frustration and impatience, which are more subtle forms of anger. Anger has negative effects on both intrapersonalContinue reading “How Do I Work with Anger?”
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How Do I Get a Good Feeling During Mindfulness Meditation?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting good feelings. There’s nothing wrong with not wanting bad feelings. It’s very human! Most of us come to something like mindfulness meditation because we want to feel more calm, relaxed, and compassionate. We want more of those good feelings! We might also want to feel less of those bad feelingsContinue reading “How Do I Get a Good Feeling During Mindfulness Meditation?”
What is the Present?
In mindfulness practice, we are always talking about paying attention to the present moment, being in the present, and returning to the present. The present moment is such a central component of mindfulness practice. But what is the present, really? The present is simply what is happening right now. It is what you are doingContinue reading “What is the Present?”
How Can Mindfulness Help with Healing?
Healing happens in this moment. Healing does not happen yesterday, nor does it happen next week. It only happens in this moment. Therefore, if we want to engage in healing and participate in healing, we have to meet it where it lives – in this moment. No matter how chaotic or hopeless our lifeContinue reading “How Can Mindfulness Help with Healing?”
Am I Doing Mindfulness Correctly?
Mindfulness is just paying attention to this moment. There is no right or wrong way to do that. Just like eating, each person has their own way of eating and there is no right or wrong way to eat. That said, most people would agree that no matter how you eat, certainly conditions need toContinue reading “Am I Doing Mindfulness Correctly?”
How Do I Focus My Attention?
Mindfulness is attention training. Although we might look serene and still on the outside, what we are doing on the inside is actually a very active process and endeavor. During mindfulness meditation, we are actively working with our attention, managing our attention, and redirecting our attention. Attention is like a flashlight. Where we point theContinue reading “How Do I Focus My Attention?”
How Do I Calm Down My Wandering Mind?
Being distracted and unfocused during meditation is very common. Having a wandering mind during meditation is very common. It doesn’t mean that you are doing it wrong, or that you are “not cut out for mindfulness meditation.” It’s OK that many thoughts come up and distract us during meditation. The mindfulness technique is to noticeContinue reading “How Do I Calm Down My Wandering Mind?”
How Do I Work with Strong Emotions?
Mindfulness practice is simply watching everything appear and disappear in this moment. Emotions, like everything else, appear and disappear on their own. With mindfulness training, we can just watch them come and go, without getting pulled in different directions. Emotions become difficult and create suffering when they are not able to come and go naturally,Continue reading “How Do I Work with Strong Emotions?”
How Do I Let Go of Thoughts?
First step in letting go of thoughts is to notice them. Being aware that we are wrapped up in thoughts instead of being in the present. Thoughts include all mental constructs/activities: Concepts Imagery Stories Fantasies Ongoing commentary Planning Worrying Memories Judgment Thoughts about thoughts In summary, thoughts are anything the mind does that pulls usContinue reading “How Do I Let Go of Thoughts?”
Why Do I Often Notice Tension in My Body During Meditation?
When we simply pay attention in a nonjudgmental way, we notice more than things about ourselves and our environment. Oftentimes, we may notice some tension in the body. Tightness in the shoulders and chest. Tension in the gut and abdomen. Tightness in the face, jaw, and neck. Tension in the back, hips, and limbs. ClenchingContinue reading “Why Do I Often Notice Tension in My Body During Meditation?”
Mindfulness FAQ 