As we approach Mother’s Day, I would like to invite you to take a moment to contemplate, what is/was your mother like? What is/was your relationships with your mother like? What important lessons have you learned from her?
No relationship is perfect, of course. I’m sure there were some challenges, and some very beautiful moments you two spent together.
Some of us have a “mother wound.” I had a very tumultuous relationship with my mother growing up. […]
The Power of Thoughts
This is my secret ~ J Krishnamurti
This is a story about J. Krishnamurti, the great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher. For over 50 years he travelled all over the world, speaking, teaching trying to explain in words concepts and ideas that are beyond words. I read a story about him once surprising his audience by saying he was going to reveal his secret “Do you want to know my secret?”
So, as you can imagine, everyone was listening attentively. Everyone wanted to hear the secret of his wisdom. […]
The Tigers & The Strawberry
Someone I know brought up his fear of old age and death. It made me think of a Zen Parable I had read a long time ago. I always carry it close to my heart and it has been a source of inspiration for me.
Have you ever heard about the Zen Parables? They are called a Koans, a Japanese term that dates from the 7th century. These parables were used to produce doubt, […]
Two Components to Freedom
Indispensable elements for our Self-liberation
In the Buddhist tradition, there are two essential components to our freedom. The first one is awareness. It is the wisdom that comes from training your mind to see clearly and the second one is compassion for yourself and for others.
These components are compared to the two wings of a bird, without which the bird would be unable to fly and be free.
Awareness
The first wing is our conscious awareness that allows us to recognize what is really happening in our moment-to-moment experience. […]
Cómo Empezar el 2022 Emocional y Espiritualmente Fuertes
Comenzamos un nuevo año, y con él tenemos la oportunidad de comenzar un nuevo capítulo en nuestras vidas.
Nos hacemos promesas con respecto a lo que queremos lograr, pero pronto nos olvidamos de ellas.
¿Por qué es tan difícil cumplir con nuestras metas de Año Nuevo a pesar de nuestras mejores intenciones? Desde una perspectiva terapéutica, para que una resolución funcione es fundamental incorporar al proceso la autoconciencia y la autorreflexión honesta.
Podemos diseñar un cambio real y permanente si nos tomamos un tiempo para mirar hacia atrás, […]
Why am I Feeling Unsatisfied with my Life?
Believe me, you do have more control than you think over how you feel
An old friend I had not seen for over 20 years called me last week. It was wonderful to catch up and share the different paths our lives have taken.
Unfortunately, the turmoil he has experienced regarding his relationships has sunk him into deep anxiety and depression.
He has not spoken to one of his siblings for over 3 years, […]
Dealing with Our Own Difficult Emotions
The end of June wrapped Annapolis with a blanket of deep sadness as we could feel so close to us, what the seed of hatred, resentment and violence could be capable of. This was right in our neighborhood. It happened to people whose names were familiar to the Capital Gazette readers. We feel deep compassion for them and their families, and even for the perpetrator who is obviously seriously sick to commit such a horrendous act. […]
Laziness as a Personal Teacher
Also in Spanish ~
Rather than feeling discouraged by laziness, we could get to know laziness profoundly. This very moment of laziness becomes our personal teacher.
Traditionally, laziness is taught as one of the obstacles to awakening. There are different kinds of laziness. First, there’s the laziness of comfort orientation, we just try to stay comfortable and cozy. Then there’s the laziness of loss of heart, a kind of deep discouragement, a feeling of giving up on ourselves, […]
Falling below and rising above thought
When you are very tired, you may become more peaceful, more relaxed, than in your usual state. This is because thinking is subsiding, and so you can’t remember your mind-made problematic self anymore. You are moving toward sleep. You are moving below thought.
When you drink alcohol or take certain drugs (provided they don’t trigger your pain-body), you may also feel more relaxed, more carefree, and perhaps more alive for a while. You may start singing and dancing, […]
Why Is Mindfulness a Superpower?
Practicing mindfulness is one of the single most powerful and kind things you can do for your wellbeing. Dan Harris, anchor for Nightline, the weekend edition of Good Morning America, and the author of “10% Happier,” found out about the power of mindfulness when he, after having a panic attack in television, set out in a journey of exploration of mega churches, gurus and brain researchers for the key to wellbeing. What he discovered was that this simple, […]