Category: Happiness

Sage Principles: The Misconceptions of Meditation

6/1/2022

Audio + pdf - Volume 1: Session 1 - Live your best life.

There is an expansive vista of life which can only be seen as we rise in awareness.
This audio session explores both the misconceptions of meditation and what can be gained with regular practice. Sage Principles audio sessions are the courtesy of DASA Meditation.

Save this session: pdf article with links to three relevant studies (read time 2 min 13 sec).

Could others benefit from this topic? If yes, share your comments and give us a "like" on the link below. Thanks so very much!

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Hope Rises

1/1/2022

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Image credit: Saffu

"There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud in order to make the lotus." —Thich Nhat Hanh

By Lorraine Alexander
Read time 2 minutes 5 seconds
Read the full article Hope Rises

Many of us focus on the broken, undone, or what's missing in life. This message offers hope and the opportunity for a new beginning.

COVID is by far one of the darkest storms we have encountered in our lifetime. And as the crippling effects carry into the third year, it's natural to pause and ask: What will the future hold?

During difficult times, we choose to look through one of two lenses. The first lens is fear, uncertainty, and judgment; the second is a lens of love, acceptance, and hope for the planet and humanity.

Look for a global rise in awareness.
Looking past the chaos of the media, we continue to see an abundance of online courses, books, videos, and articles, directed toward a movement to awaken our consciousness. We see more people speaking out—and reaching out to help their fellow man. This offers us hope that out of this mud, together we will rise to a higher state of being.

For the many of us who believe in a higher power, there is a simple yet profound quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, "No mud, no lotus." In essence, the lotus must transform by rising, struggling upward through the mud to reach a new beginning, a higher level of development, expansion, and growth of awareness.

Now is the time to comfort others by being fully present. Make them smile, say something special, gently reassure them. This is something known as being a "frequency holder," a term coined by Eckhart Tolle.

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The Rejuvenating Power of Gratitude

11/1/2021

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Image credit: Motoki Tonn

The Rejuvenating Power of Gratitude

Article courtesy of DASA Meditation
Estimated read time 2 min.40 sec.

"In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships." -- Harvard Health

The simple sage practice of gratitude can cultivate our happiness and satisfaction in life.

Long-term studies support the effectiveness of a gratitude practice, suggesting that a positive and appreciative attitude contributes to higher success in the workplace. Additionally, these studies indicate gratitude improves health, peak performance in athletes, accelerates healing after surgery, and deepens our sense of well-being.

While we acknowledge the benefits of gratitude, the practice can be challenging to sustain, because so many of us dwell on what's lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. First, we can begin by looking at life with fresh eyes and then put the word gratitude into practice.

A daily practice of gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Gratitude offers balance and hope.

Remember that gratitude is not blind optimism, in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It's a simple matter of refocusing our attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of balance and hope. By doing so, we naturally uplift others.

There are many things to be grateful for: the color and crunch of autumn leaves, good health, friends who listen and hear us, dark chocolate, fresh eggs with homemade bread, the warmth of down jackets, a deep belly-laugh with your best friend, reading a treasured book, a pet that snuggles up when you need it most, and butterflies that remind us to stop to appreciate the gift of life and the awe of nature. What might be on your list?

7 Ways to Practice Gratitude

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Learn the Top 12 Stress Management Moves for 2020

9/1/2020

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By Lorraine Alexander, September 1, 2020
Read time: 3.5 minutes

The year 2020 delivered countless hardships and disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, shelter in place social isolation, civil unrest, economic hurdles, record-breaking climate change including pre-season wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and the most heated presidential election of our time.

During these tragedies, we witnessed the darkest influences of stress take a stronghold in the US. These tough times drew out the best and worst in humanity. Yet our challenges are not behind us. That's why this article offers 12 uncomplicated, manageable strategies that will help you to "keep your cool," and release toxic stress during volatile times.

How can we restore balance in an unpredictable world?
Start with one person at a time beginning with you. The one thing that I'm sure of is this, self-awareness is the passkey to a balanced, happy life. Pay attention to obvious signals of stress. Your body may be calling out for help. Are you listening?

Stress can surface through emotions or manifest in a physical way. To determine if you are experiencing stress overwhelm, ask these following questions:

Do you have trouble sleeping?
Do you lack energy or focus?
Are you feeling unusually tense?
Have you become forgetful?
Are you short-tempered with others?
Have you lost your optimism or the ability to enjoy life?

You can successfully release toxic penned-up stress from the body by combining a variety of the following mind-body practices. The rewards of these 12 self-care practices will depend on the consistency of your routine.

Self-care is like putting the oxygen mask on yourself first, so you can care for others.

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The Vedic Way: Transform Your Life Path to a Place of Balance with Meditation

7/4/2019

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Image Pricilla Dupreez

The success of a student in their meditation practice may have everything to do with two single factors, the commitment of the student, and the awareness of the teacher.

By Lorraine Alexander, July 4, 2019

In today's complex and uncertain world, meditation is an essential daily ritual used to enhance personal stability, reduce stress, and preserve a balanced lifestyle. According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation ranks in the top three "must-do list" to improve health, along with eating healthy and exercising. Learning to meditate is like having a dose of the perfect health elixir, offering a blend of unparalleled benefits. And best of all, the practice can enrich one's life by improving self-awareness. The bottom line is this, life with meditation can feel amazing.

Americans paid attention to this ancient practice once meditation hit the cover of Time Magazine and Scientific American. Then, America's top CEOs, famed actors and actresses, and NFL football team members all came forth to proclaim their health and personal success was credited in large to their daily Vedic meditation practice.

The mind-body wellness of meditation
Meditation is a vehicle that can transport you from frenzied to calm, taking you back to your center, a position of balance. For creatives, the meditative state is the point of pure inspiration. To layer even more benefits, there is an absurdly long list of medically-backed health benefits for the mind and body, such as heart health, brain health, deeper sleep, lower stress, and the ability to flex easily with the occasional curveball that life may throw.

One single question that begs to be answered about meditation
Over the years, I find people continue to ask me the same question over and over, "What is the best form of meditation?" There are many useful meditation forms; some are simply more effective than others. This article explains two fundamental approaches to meditation.

Directive versus non-directive meditation
Within the practice of meditation, there are two primary categories, directive and non-directive. The directive form requires focused attention, while the non-directive form allows the mind to wander. Although the origins of both forms emerged from religious roots, many contemporary versions have risen—free from dogma and religion, with a primary focus on stress reduction, health, and happiness.

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Sounds of Silence: Why Silent Meditation is Good for the Brain

1/6/2018

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Image © John Blyth

Silence is essential. We need silence just as much as we need air, as much as plants need light. If our minds are crowded with words and thought, there is no space for us.— Thich Nhat Hanh

Written by Lorraine Alexander, January 2018

If you are thinking about learning to meditate there are hundreds of methods to choose from. The task of researching a sea of choices is a mind-boggling experience. To simplify your selection process, know that it is no coincidence most medical studies on meditation are based on silent meditation.

There are two primary categories, directive (also known as concentrative) and nondirective (no concentration is required). Both are beneficial according to a study completed at Harvard Medical School in 2013. The study found both meditation styles reduce stress and improve health.

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Recalculating...Redefining Happiness with Meditation

6/1/2017

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Recalculating...
Redefining Happiness with Meditation

By Lorraine Alexander

You've planned out your life perfectly. You've made all the right choices, calculating each move like a seasoned chess player. By all standards, you are a success. But somehow, life didn’t turn out exactly as you planned. Underneath lie feelings of dissatisfaction, with a yearning for something more. You have a beautiful home, a loving family, and the successful job that dreams are made of. Yet, there is still something missing—like a thirst you just can't quench.

The best-kept secret: Happiness, it isn't "out there."
It's been within you the entire time.

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Wisdom from Dogs

11/24/2016

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By Lorraine Alexander

There's a little measure of life's wisdom in each furry canine.

If you've ever owned a dog, or spent any quality time with one, you'll agree with one point. Dogs for the most part enjoy life by living in the moment - and there is a lot to be said for that. Yes, there's a little measure of life's wisdom in each furry canine. So what's the deep secret that we can learn from dogs? It's actually quite simple, when we live in the moment, as dogs do, we live a fuller, more rewarding life.

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Finding Balance with Meditation: Easy Natural Stress Reduction

10/23/2016

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Can we change our life experience?

By Lorraine Alexander

Americans have become accustomed to a stressful lifestyle. We know stress affects health, sleep, emotions and behavior. How can we change this pattern?

There is a quote by Charles R. Swindoll "Life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you react to it." Have you ever noticed that people often react to the same stressors quite differently? While one person is deeply affected by a stressful event, another may take it in stride. Why? The answer is simple. Some of us have found our way back to that place of balance.

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Meditation: The New Sustainable Practice

9/1/2016

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Sustaining the Body, Mind, and Spirit Through Meditation

NORTHBAY BIZ Magazine - September 2016
Meditation: The New Sustainable Practice
By Lorraine Alexander, DASA Meditation

Memory and learning naturally decrease as we age.
Meditation can help combat this trend.

During the past decade, I’ve heard the word “sustainable” used almost exclusively in the context of environmental issues. Yet the term simply means the ability to last or continue for a long time, without depleting resources. A personal resource is an available means that’s afforded by the mind, or by one's personal capabilities—a source of supply, support or aid, especially one that can be readily drawn upon when needed. Shouldn't health and brain function be considered a source of support?

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<<Previous

Sage Principles: The Misconceptions of Meditation

Hope Rises

The Rejuvenating Power of Gratitude

The Rejuvenating Power of Gratitude

Learn the Top 12 Stress Management Moves for 2020

The Vedic Way: Transform Your Life Path to a Place of Balance with Meditation

Sounds of Silence: Why Silent Meditation is Good for the Brain

Recalculating...Redefining Happiness with Meditation

Wisdom from Dogs

There's a little measure of life's wisdom in each furry canine.

Finding Balance with Meditation: Easy Natural Stress Reduction

Can we change our life experience?

Meditation: The New Sustainable Practice

Sustaining the Body, Mind, and Spirit Through Meditation

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