The Mindful Brain

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I find this podcast on Daniel Siegel's book, "Mindful Brain" very good. You can find answers/discussions to the following questions in the talk/article:

- What is the neurological basis of Mindfulness?
- How is Mindfulness related to 'secured attachment' in parenting?
- What's the difference between 'Mind' & 'Brain'
- What are the 9 benefits of activating the Mindfulness/Resonance Circuit?
- How is Mindfulness related to intra and inter-personal attunement?

Fri, 22 August 2008
#44 Brain Science Podcast: Meditation and the Brain

Brain Science Podcast Episode 44 is an interview with Daniel Seigel, MD about meditation and the brains. Dr. Seigel is the author of several books including The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being.

Transcribed article: http://docartemis.com/brain%20science/44-brainscience-Siegel.pdf

Direct download: 44-brainscience-siegel.mp3

Forum: http://www.docartemis.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?fid=03&topic_id=1219523030

Meditation & Bird's Nest

It's perfectly imperfect to have wandering or negative thoughts in meditation...and this can be a perfect offering to God/Buddha

How To Forgive Yourself?

Forgive for Good, Fred Luskin, Ph.D. lays out 9 steps to forgiving for you!

1. Know exactly how you feel about what happened and be able to articulate what about the situation is not OK. Then, tell a trusted couple of people about your experience.

2. Make a commitment to yourself to do what you have to do to feel better. Forgiveness is for you and not for anyone else.

3. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation with the person that hurt you, or condoning of their action. What you are after is to find peace. Forgiveness can be defined as the “peace and understanding that come from blaming that which has hurt you less, taking the life experience less personally, and changing your grievance story.”

4. Get the right perspective on what is happening. Recognize that your primary distress is coming from the hurt feelings, thoughts and physical upset you are suffering now, not what offended you or hurt you two minutes - or ten years -ago. Forgiveness helps to heal those hurt feelings.

5. At the moment you feel upset practice a simple stress management technique to soothe your body’s flight or fight response.

6. Give up expecting things from other people, or your life, that they do not choose to give you. Recognize the “unenforceable rules” you have for your health or how you or other people must behave. Remind yourself that you can hope for health, love, peace and prosperity and work hard to get them.

7. Put your energy into looking for another way to get your positive goals met than through the experience that has hurt you. Instead of mentally replaying your hurt seek out new ways to get what you want.

8. Remember that a life well lived is your best revenge. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, and thereby giving the person who caused you pain power over you, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you. Forgiveness is about personal power.

9. Amend your grievance story to remind you of the heroic choice to forgive.

From Refusing to Forgive: 9 Steps to Break Free
by Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D.

Books by Dr. Chan Kah Yein (PhD.)

Little Steps, Joyful Steps is the memoirs of a beautiful two-year spiritual journey. Chan Kah Yein writes on her personal experience, and the many trials, tribulations and the rewards of learning and striving to become a Dhamma speaker. Written from the heart, she humbly and respectfully hopes that this book would serve as an inspiration to motivate readers to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible it may seem to be at first. Little Steps, Joyful Steps is a tribute to all her friends who have travelled on this journey with her.

In A Kite in the Wind, Chan Kah Yein talks about how she practises simplicity in her life as a layperson who is caught up with the trivialities and complexities of life. She interprets the ancient and time-tested teachings in her simple way, and at the same time, finds truths in modern literature as well. In this book, she shares tips on how we can incorporate simplicity into our busy lifestyle, and thereby gain more peace and happiness.