Thoughts & Ancedotes

I can remember that day. I was home from college for Thanksgiving break. I had picked up my best friend for lunch; we were going shopping, and then later, out for the evening. We had quite the day planned…

31 professionals came from as far away as Hong Kong to learn about MBCT and how it is taught, learning "from the inside out" in this amazing retreat format. Early morning movement and meditation practice and periods of silence (including several silent meals) punctuated our five days together in a way that allowed participants to ground their learning in the refuge of mindfulness.

If you are looking for a simple, yet elegant description of what mindfulness is, take a look at this short video by Susan Kaiser-Greenland, author of The Mindful Child. It's great for kids, but pretty effective for anyone!

A fascinating interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn from 2009 entitled "Opening to Our Lives" by Krista Tippett of American Public Media for her program "Krista Tippett on Being." Note that there is a small excerpt (and link) on the site of Jon reading Derek Walcott's wonderful poem "Love after Love:"

Shauna Shapiro and her colleagues (reference below) wrote about the mechanisms of mindfulness and highlighted "reperceiving" as a fundamental shift in perspective that arises out of the practice of mindfulness. This is not just an interesting theoretical point, it has real consequences.

If you accept the premise that the present moment is the "place to be" in regard to finding ease, well-being, contentment and equanimity, then the real question becomes: "How do I bring myself to the present moment?"

I have found that there is a very simple but very powerful question (that is also a little bit silly) that can serve as a terrific reminder to become present.

Ready? Brace yourself!

Here it is: Where Are My Feet?