Posts Tagged ‘mental health’
The gift of held space
Held space is a gift that can be challenging to give and also rarely consciously received in the moment that it’s happening. The silent practice of allowing a person to thrash with their thoughts, hunt for clarity in their emotional labyrynth, and test a perspective without passing judgment or jumping to solutions is often the…
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The five stages of listening
1. Blocking out ie, noise cancelling headphones, removing ability to receive any input 2. Perception: ie, hearing but giving no attention, hearing a car drive by but not paying attention to it. A child can hear a mom call their name, but pay no attention. 3. Attention Physically showing interest, but cognitively thinking about something…
Read MoreSeeing ourselves in nature
The more we spend time in nature the more we see ourselves as a part of it. The more time we spend on our mobile devices the more we stop seeing ourselves at all.
Read MoreIntermittent abstinence
The first time I tasted a croissant from Ariscault in SF, I was mind blown. When I went back the next day, it was still amazing. When I went every day for a week at one point, it was really good. Too much of an incredible thing can desensitize us to the stimulus. Purposely inserting…
Read MoreWhen we’re bad at meditating…
It’s still worth it. If you go to see the Sistine Chapel, and it’s a crowded day, it’s still worth it. If you go eat at Tartine Bakery in SF, and the line is around the corner, it’s still worth it. To even recognize that there is something on the other side of the distractions…
Read MoreThe concept of anger is either hated or loved. It is both blamed for the worst violence in the world and also praised for the most inspiring protest against such violence. And like most things that draw out such intense emotions, it is mostly often misunderstood. To uncover the gift of anger is to see…
Read MoreFinding presence
Lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Holding my son when he cries at night. Floating in the moment before I adjust someone after learning that they had just lost a parent. There are many moments in life that are made better when experienced with presence. And by no accident these are the most difficult…
Read MoreBudgeting for health, not survival
We put a significant portion of our health care budget toward keeping people alive during their last two years. We put almost no money and energy toward teaching our culture how to cultivate and maintain their health throughout life in an effort to avoid such an enjoyable couple of final years. Imagine if budgets swung…
Read MoreRise and fall
Nights and days fall victim to the sun as it rises and falls. Remember that the sun barely moves and it’s the Earth that spins. Emotions also come and go. Perspective can change everything.
Read MoreIt’s not robot food.
Try this exercise with a loved one. Sit across from one another. Take one bite of dark chocolate. Don’t chew. Remember, it’s not robot food. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Notice the changing sensations of the flavors releasing, the softening of the chocolate, the gathering of moisture, and the breath. It’s just…
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