Trust
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, trust means “Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” In these days, trust seems to be in pretty short supply. Assured reliance on anything is in short supply – whether that reliance is on our families and spouses, our jobs, our government or even ourselves. God disappeared from that list probably in the 60’s or at least the latter part of the last century. And that may not be a good thing. In her book, Mind over Medicine, Lissa Rankin points out some interesting findings from a...
Read MoreMeditation – Gateway to Healing
I have been meditating, in some form or another, for about 45 years and I could not imagine my life without it. I set aside at least 20 minutes in the morning and again in the evening for meditation without fail. This practice gives me distance from my thoughts – the origination of most emotions – relaxation, mental clarity, an ability to focus, and, along with regular exercise and attention to diet, my good health at age 66. What is Meditation? Meditation is a process of stilling and balancing the mind. According to one medical dictionary, it is “a practice of concentrated focus upon a...
Read MoreMindfulness:
Mindfulness generally refers to the ‘practice and capacity of being fully engaged in this moment without any judgment of what is present, either in consciousness or in form’. There are also many mindful practices which stem from Buddhism, including compassion, generosity and reverence for life. Being mindful, or present, is a starting point to becoming more self- aware. Most people tend to carry on with their daily activities without much awareness of what is going on in their thoughts and emotions. Thoughts are very powerful and unchecked, can lead to anxiety and depression. ...
Read MoreHolistic Healing and the Mind
Holistic Healing: Exploring the ‘Mind’ Aspect of the Body/Mind/Spirit Connection Holistic Healing and the Mind The Mind encompasses a huge part of our experience – far more than we are often aware of. It is the Mind aspect of ourselves that controls our inner landscape and which is reflected in our outer experience. Our perception will be coloured by our thoughts, beliefs, emotions and past experiences and will impact the health of the Body and the spiritual direction we take. Holistic Healing must take into account what happens in the mind. What is Mind? The Webster’s New...
Read MoreHome For The Holidays
The Christmas season is not my favourite time of the year – all the frantic hustle and bustle. And yet, underneath all the parties, shopping, baking and decorating, there is relief for many that ‘I am not alone’. Christmas is a lonely time for many people because there is such an emphasis on family, and the busyness is a great cover for that loneliness. Those who are not with family often feel left out and depressed. But for those who do have family, it can sometimes be even worse. When I was a kid, I remember the excitement of ‘the big day’ and the anticipation of the turkey...
Read MoreSurrender
I spent the better part of 2007 in an ashram near Bangalore, India, trying to figure out how to surrender – without a lot of luck. When I returned to Canada, I did not feel much closer to even understanding what surrender meant, much less accomplishing it. Now, eight years later, from personal experience, I have a working definition and a modicum of experience and appreciation of the process. From the understanding that I have gained, I also have an appreciation – awe almost – of the healing magic that surrender can bring to one’s life. But before I get to all of that, perhaps we...
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