The Path from No to Yes

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I am a truth teller.  I always have been and I always will be.

What do I mean when I say I am a truth teller?

I see the the light and dark in others and the world.  I can see it and hold it with a large ocean of compassion.

When I was younger the sharing of my truth was clumsy.  I repressed my true feelings, needs, and knowing.  Much of the time I wasn’t even in touch with what my truth really was because I was so outward focused and disconnected from myself.

Does this sound familiar?

At the age of 19, I found meditation, the dharma (defined as truth)  and the phenomenal practice of turning inward.  For the last 20 years, I have been committed to the practice of meditation which has enabled me to see the truth in myself and others more clearly.

My path to truth has been deep listening towards myself and others, honoring what I hear, embodying my No and Yes in action, and from this place I can more easily know and share my truth.… READ MORE...

3 ways to ignite your mind, body, and heart in nature

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Being, Beauty, and Belonging

I hope you had a great summer.  This summer I spent a lot of time writing (I am birthing my book :).  I also had some time for family, friends, some reflection time, and being in nature.

I don’t know about you, but my happy place is in nature.  I was called to the Hawaiin islands this summer. I collected some seashells of wisdom while I was there and I want to share them with you.

Most of us live a lot of our lives indoors.  In the summer time we may get outside more, but depending on where we live it may simply be too hot and humid to spend much time in nature.  However, evidence shows that nature offers effective medicine for our “over-doing” minds and bodies.

There is a Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, which is translated as taking in the forest atmosphere or “forest bathing.”  … READ MORE...

How to Choose Self-Compassion

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When we listen to the nagging, negative voice inside our heads, we push ourselves too hard—and we push ourselves away, too. When you learn to love yourself, your relationships will improve for the better.

Try a loving-kindness day: pick a day, don’t schedule anything, and just see what you want to do. It could be reading a book, writing, or spending some time in nature.

I recently taught my annual women’s meditation retreat in Mexico. Every year at the retreat is beautiful and has its own flavor. This year’s retreat brought out the powerful themes of self-love and healing. The choice to take a week to slow down, really listen, and turn toward oneself when we often want to run or flee is an act of self-love, and in my opinion, courageous.

We often distract ourselves with negative habits that leave us depleted instead of nourished. At these times, I have found that the thoughts we feed our minds are directly linked to how we take care of ourselves.

… READ MORE...