Mindfulness

In this final episode of our 1st season, we discuss powerlessness, control, value, purpose, and selfishness. Karen shares insights around how we use the term “selfish” as a way to control others, and talks about her experience of letting go of defining herself in terms of “value” or “worth.” Dave adds important clarifications and thoughts around power and releasing the need to make meaning out of this journey. We hit on some heavy topics and would love to hear what you think about it all! Email us at [email protected]

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If we're not our emotions, what do we do with them? In this episode, we discuss how to handle emotions and what to do with the especially difficult ones. Dave shares the acronymn phrase R.A.I.D. on A.N.T.S, as one approach to dealing with our feelings. We dive deep into the idea of compassion and the role it plays for ourselves and others, and look at how being detached or disidentified with our emotions eventually enables us to be more loving and understanding people.  Resources mentioned:  Mindfulness with Tara Brach  "Being aware of being aware" by Rupert Spira "10% happier" by Dan Harris "The End of Night" by Paul Bogard "You made it weird" podcast with Pete Holmes Teachings of Ram Dass  Jon Kabat Zinn R.A.I.N. (Recognize, Allow/Accept, Investigate, Nurture) R.A.I.D. on A.N.T.S. (Recognize, Allow/Accept, Investigate, Detach/Disidentify on Automatic Negative Thoughts)

We’re putting a spin on what it means to “surrender,” the role it plays in spirituality, and how our views and experiences of “surrendering” have changed over the last 6 months. There are practical tips on how to identify resistance inside yourself, what to do when it comes up, and how it frees you to grow in awareness. Resources Mentioned From Believing to Being podcast - episode 7 Karen's Blog post: https://www.inspiredtofaith.com/2019/03/15/be-still-doesnt-mean-what-you-think-it-does/ "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle "Resurrecting Jesus" by Adyashanti "Stillness Speaks" by Eckhart Tolle The Taoist concept of wu-wei

In this episode, we follow up on our last one by asking the question, "How can we know what to do with events outside of our direct experience, if we are not actually investigating the experience we ARE having?" We discuss the maturation process that is necessary to embrace the mystery of this life and how to lean into the uncertainty that is part of being human. Doing this intense self-investigation takes time and courage in this world of distraction, but we offer that the deep peace on the other side is worth it.  Resources mentioned:  "Dark Night of the Soul" experience, as described by St. John of the Cross Digital Minimalism & Deep Work by Cal Newport 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Integral Theory of Spiritual Development The Difference between Neo-Advaita and Advaita with Francis Lucille 

This week Karen & Dave touch on the current abortion debate and the Ukraine/Russia conflict, ultimately asking the question, "What do we do with events that are outside of our current experience?" We consider the concepts of neutrality vs. apathy vs. observing as we wrestle with some of the non-dual teachings and look at how our perspectives on social justice matters have shifted as we deepen into embracing the present moment.  Resources Mentioned  Justice Alito's leaked draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Rupert Spira's conversation with woman in Ukraine Sam Harris Adyashanti's Book "End of Your World" Eckhart Tolle's book "Power of Now" Mooji quote: "Live as though you don't exist; like you are two eyeballs floating in space with nothing behind them. No brain attached. Not even hair - Nothing. There  is a place inside your own heart, inside your own being that knows the kind of seemingly foolish things I speak of and it is totally thrilled to be reminded of this infinite expanse and infinite joy that it is. Find this place."

Do you think too much? Do you consider yourself an "over-thinker"? In this episode, we think and talk about our thoughts. Where do they come from? Do we have to have so many? Is thinking a cause of suffering and can we control what we think about? We offer up some practical exercises we've used to help separate ourselves from our thoughts, and touch on whether positive and negative thoughts should be handled the same. This episode will make you look at your mind differently and get you thinking more deeply and critically about all the things you think about!  Sources Mentioned Sam Harris (and his talk "Where do thoughts come from?") Waking Up - A guide to spirituality without religion by Sam Harris Pete Holmes podcast with Michael Shur Michael Shur's new book, How to be Perfect The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault The Cloud of Unknowing  The End of Your World: straight talk about the nature of enlightenment by Adyashanti

In this episode, we talk about "Self-help" practices and pursuits, and how they play into the spiritual journey: the pitfalls to be aware of, the benefits, and the paradox of building up an ego that isn't really who you are. Karen describes her struggle with anger and her frustration that neither the Holy Spirit nor the "self-help" techniques were helping...and how 85%+ of her anger dissolved after she let go of her religious beliefs and dropped her judgments. In contrast, Dave discusses the lessons he's learning from self-improvement books that are making a tangible difference in his life. Karen also shares an approach to personality tests and concepts that helps her coach women into "unknowing" themselves, and Dave gets insightful about how we all need to ask WHO are we trying to improve? and WHY do we think we need to change?  Resources mentioned:  The Enneagram The Strengths test Joe Dispenza and his book "Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself"  The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People 

Join us as we discuss what mindfulness is, how it can help us with "triggers," what it means to pay attention, and the wisdom of Harry Potter! We parse out this definition offered by scientist, author, and mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn: "Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally... And then I sometimes add, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.”  Resources Mentioned Jon Kabat Zinn Mindfulness with Jon Kabat Zinn Your True Home: Everyday wisdom of Thich Nhat Hahn ("365 days of practical, powerful teachings") Harry Potter lake scene from The Goblet of Fire (#4) Extra: “what if there is no next?” With Mooji http://online-satsang.com/hp_wordpress/?p=157&fbclid=IwAR27_ZNm4Cbn4GjCywU24zpZRMbyBdWIMBvX0vaGTHe2KA1ViI8G6Ws6l6o

This episode may strike a nerve. We discuss law of attraction and manifestation, and whether they are "pitfalls" that just seek to satisfy the ego. Do these pseudo-spiritual pursuits have a role to play in the spiritual journey? These concepts are so prevalent in today's spiritual circles, yet are they truly the way to find peace and joy? And, how does law of attraction fit in with the non-dual teachings that we are not our thoughts or our feelings? Finally, we consider how we un-enlighten ourselves by getting hooked into these ideas of abundance, and how LOA and similar ideas conflict with the actual lives and ways of being of the great spiritual teachers.  Resources mentioned:  "How to recognize spiritual bullshit" with Awaken Insight (aka Nada) "Creating your reality will prove itself to be empty" with Jac O'Keefe  A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle  Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth (Children's book of zen stories) The End of Your World: Uncensored straight-talk on the nature of enlightenment by Adyashanti Ego as a verb, talk by Adyashanti Draw the circle by Mark Batterson  Neville Goddard Extras: Promises and pitfalls of the spiritual path with Ram Dass If I am universal consciousness, why can't I manifest what I want? with Francis Lucille