One of the common questions I get as folks are starting their meditation practice, particularly at the beginning of the year, goes something like this: “If meditation is all about being in the present moment, does that mean I can’t plan or set goals for my future?”

Happy New Year! I am so happy to be back to recording these meditations after a brief maternity leave. This week’s meditation is a short one inspired by a conversation I had with my dear friend Octavia.

In this final teaching in the Mindful Living series, I’m actually combining two teachings both of which have to do with connection. Connection with others and connection with self.

Happy Thanksgiving my friends! However you choose to spend today (in celebration, in remembrance, with friends and family or without) I hope you take time to connect mindfully to the moment.

Today, I’m introducing the second, simple teaching in this series on Mindful Living…

Wear nice clothes.

Hello Friends! Happy November!

As we move into the season of giving and getting, I thought it could be helpful to revisit some vital teachings that connect us to mindful living. Our meditation practice this time of year can be more important than ever, and, with so much clamoring for our attention right now, how wonderful to focus on the simplicity of these teachings. They keep us clear, mindful and awake to what really matters.

Some moments feel all-consuming, don’t they? Especially moments of profound hopelessness, despair, or fear. Moments when it feels like there is nothing to be done and nothing will change…. These can be difficult personal moments in our work life or our family life, and they can be difficult times in the state of our world – the ongoing trauma of hatred, the intense feelings of separateness.

One of the things I’m constantly thinking about/discussing/brainstorming is the difficulty in maintaining a consistent meditation practice. WHY is it so hard for us {myself included} to commit to something that we KNOW will help us enjoy our lives more fully??