LIFE IN FOCUS

Be here now. -Ram Dass TOWARD A CALMER WAY OF BEING The enigmatic practice of meditation, rooted in deep cultural and religious history as a pathway toward enlightenment, has found itself in modern times more commonly used to manage stress and induce relaxation. When you hear meditation, you often also hear the name of its associate or partner-  mindfulnes s . Whereas meditation is a system intended to bring about a heightened state of awareness and focused attention, the latter describes a specific manner of living that is cultivated through this system.   In essence, being mindful is simply about being aware and grounding in the present moment. It is a deep awareness of one's conscious surroundings, feelings, emotions, reactions, and physical sensations.    Meditation is a process that allows you to slow d own; to go inwardly, accessing deeper insights. In contrast to a time-out, it’s more of a  time-in .   Now  becomes the focus, and not tomor...

  Powerful questions play a key role in our personal growth.  The ancient Greek inscription   Know Thyself , carved at the entrance of Apollo’s temple, has inspired countless individuals throughout history to embark on an inward journey with the intended destination of self-understanding. Becoming more self-aware involves understanding your values, ethics, beliefs, and thought process. It requires knowing your personal preferences, likes and dislikes, and your strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, in modern times, few are taking even a few minutes per day to examine, connect, or reflect. "Busy-ness" has hijacked our souls, leaving us feeling empty, depleted, and directionless.  Breathing has become shallow and our minds distracted; with the unfortunate consequence of our bodies taking the hit.  Many find themselves seeking therapy when fatigue, physical illness, stress, and/or  an unfortunate life transition occurs.  A common theme in therapy i...