Skillful Effort: Maintaining Wholesome States of Presence

A few years back, Tracy retired and thought to himself, “What would happen if I practiced at home with the same intensity as I would on retreat?”   He was inspired to practice the “Elephant Path,” a very disciplined approach that cultivated deepening concentration.   His journey was powerful, traumatic and brought him to his knees, but opened up vistas he could only imagine.    Here he shares his story, what he learned and what we might offer by way of encouragement and caution for those looking to intensive practice.

This conversation is with Jeff Fajans—a creative momentum coach, seasoned musician, and PhD‑backed creative performance researcher—who helps creative people bring their biggest ideas to life.    Whether you’re drafting a feature film script, launching a new business, or building a product from scratch, Jeff blends flow science, mindfulness, and creative productivity and leadership principles to move you past procrastination and into real, lasting creative momentum.   Here are some links: More info about Jeff’s coaching: https://jefffajans.com/creative-performance-coaching-creative-coach-jeff-fajans/   To book a free 45-minute coaching session: https://calendly.com/jeff-fajans/45-min-intro-coaching   30 Day Creative Momentum Challenge: https://jefffajans.com/30-day-creative-momentum-challenge/

As your practice deepens, you may begin to notice you are less identified with your thoughts.  'Observing without judgement' can open all kinds of new possibilities.     This talk explores some strategies for shifting your relationship to thinking.

Mindfulness practice can get dry and rote.  When you remember why you are practicing you'll reconnect with your passion and deepest intention.  When you can sustain your practice, you may notice a number of benefits.   Beyond the physiological and emotional boosts you'll feel, ultimately you'll notice the arising of two distinct faculties.  Wisdom is your capacity to recognize what is true.  Compassion is your capacity to allow and open to truth.

This talk explores how to manage your energy as you pursue your aspirations.   You’ll learn about four guidelines:  How to prevent unwholesome states before they arise, how to let go of unwholesome states when they have arisen, how to cultivate wholesome states that have not yet arisen and how to maintain wholesome states that are already here.

This interview with Ray and Tara explores how to work with the deepest challenges of sickness, old age and death.   You’ll learn how Ray and Tara are working with Ray’s diagnosis of glioblastoma a year ago.  They speak beautifully of how the practice deepens, how to find steadiness and how to open again and again to love.

The talk explores some fundamentals of a meditation practice and how (sometimes) saying 'yes' to what is present can dramatically shift your relationship to the here and now. You'll learn my favorite definition of mindfulness, the art of 'saying yes,' how every 'no' actually means yes - and the classic instructions to more intimately deepen your mindfulness practice.

The classic teaching "Be Here Now" requires that we "Let Go Now" - of everything and anything that is not present.  How do we do this?  I share some guiding principles of the art of renunciation with practical examples and teachings through the ages. This is the first talk on my podcast, from the fall of 2011.

This talk explores how to consciously direct the inner process of healing and release. Drawing on the classic teachings of Ho’oponopono, it introduces four phrases that guide your attention to: • Taking responsibility for your inner experience • Attuning to the process of release • Reflecting on gratitude and the opportunity to grow • Resting in loving awareness

This talk explores the power of self-observation and what lies beyond the sense of self. You’ll learn how the witness can free you from the tyranny of the mind and your reactivity as well as what can happen when you explore being aware of the witness and what lies beyond.