Category: Mindfulness

Chris Germer: The Power of Self-Compassion

Chris Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, lecturer at Harvard Medical School, and one of the cofounders of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. The author of many books and articles on mindfulness, Chris has partnered with Kristin Neff and Sounds True to launch the upcoming The Power of Self-Compassion online course in October. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Chris and Tami Simon talk about the practice of mindful self-compassion and the foundational questions it asks of us. They explore how this practice can be applied in the alleviation of pain and current research into other, everyday applications. Chris also details the ways in which self-compassion can help us ride waves of emotion such as shame and self-recrimination. Finally, Tami and Chris discuss how one has to adjust the messaging around self-compassion in order to reach a male audience. (62 minutes)

Elena Brower: I Lean on the Universe with My Honesty

Elena Brower is a New York-based yoga instructor, designer, artist, and author. With Sounds True, she has released the audio programs Grounded and Free and The Return Home. She also coauthored Art of Attention—a bestselling yoga workbook—with Erica Jago. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Elena speak on concepts of self-inquiry, spiritual discipline, and facing up to hard truths about the course of one’s life. Elena tells the story of how she faced her addictions to marijuana and tobacco, and the benefits that arose when she quit both. Drawing on prompts from Elena’s upcoming book Practice You, she and Tami also discuss how one needs to be completely present for the experience of learning. Finally, Elena leads listeners in a guided meditation for embracing our love and releasing it into the world. (62 minutes)

Lodro Rinzler: Meditation and Kindness: Two Keys to Cr...

Lodro Rinzler is an author and renowned meditation teacher who has led trainings at Google, Harvard, and the White House. His many books include The Buddha Walks into a Bar and How to Love Yourself. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Lodro discuss the Shambhala tradition of Buddhism that Lodro teaches in—specifically, its goal of creating an enlightened society. They speak on how to truly cultivate kindness and what it takes to be a mindful leader during difficult times. Lodro comments on what he calls “The Four Exhilarations” and “The Four Dignities,” and in a culmination of the discussion, explains his overarching mission in teaching meditation to the world. (62 minutes)

Miracles at Work

Friends –

If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that you are on a spiritual journey.

Me too.

And the most transformative insight I’ve gained over many years of spiritual study is that love is the foundation of our being.

This sounds nice, of course, until you apply it at work.

Then things tend to get a bit messy.

That’s because we are told we have to be “tough” to get ahead, and yet for many of us, being tough feels out of alignment with love.

On the other hand, being “soft” feels—well, soft.

If you relate to this struggle, perhaps you’ve also made attempts to compartmentalize your “spiritual” self and your “business” self, only to feel lacking in both.

This is where A Course in Miracles comes in and where you can use the Course’s insight to achieve a high level of career success while honoring your sacred path at the same time.

In my new book, Miracles at Work: Turning Inner Guidance into Outer Influence, I’ve taken the basic principles of A Course in Miracles and translated them into dozens of practical tools that will enhance your experience and influence on the job, regardless of whether you are a student of the Course or not.  

As a small sample of what you can expect, I invite you to try this experiment from Miracles at Work:

Instead of viewing “love” as a gesture of affection, try thinking of it as a rejection of any littleness within your own mind. In this sense, love doesn’t mean running around your office in a cloying state of sweetness; rather, it becomes a moment-by-moment practice of dissolving any judgment that can lead to emotional instability. As a result, the more you remove the judgment, the more you will find yourself becoming a clear channel for the expression of compassion and wisdom towards yourself and others.

Far from being soft or naïve, I would argue that this is actually the most sophisticated way you can show up in the world – and in Miracles at Work I’ll show you how it’s done.

Let’s get started,

Emily

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS – Order Miracles at Work today and receive more than six hours of free bonus interviews. Click here for details.

Jeff Foster: The Way of Rest

Jeff Foster is a spiritual teacher whose methods do not belong to any one lineage or style. He teaches a form of total acceptance—a dismantling of the armor of the heart so that we can live vibrantly in the here and now. With Sounds True, Jeff has published several books and audio programs, including The Way of Rest: Finding The Courage to Hold Everything in Love. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Jeff and Tami Simon speak on the obstacles that stand between us and rest, and how learning to abide in discomfort is a difficult but necessary step to achieving true rest. Reading an excerpt from his newest book, Jeff explains why it’s actually a daring act to choose to rest. Finally, Jeff and Tami talk about depression and the desire to die, and why that desire can be a gateway to a deeper, richer understanding of the self. (71 minutes)

Whatever Arises, Love That

The holiday season is a chance to offer gifts and goodwill as symbols of gratitude to those we love. Whether enjoying warm meals with family, watching marathons of classic movies that remind us of a more innocent time, or feeling the winter magic that allows us to be more open, generous, and kind to others, the holidays somehow make life a more precious gift to receive.

What if the magic wasn’t reserved just for the holiday season, but could be celebrated within you in every moment?

What if the perfect gift, which was created just for you, is to awaken the unconditional love that always resides within your heart? What if this holiday season became an opportunity to explore the joy of emotional freedom in the most profound and heart-centered way?

While so many yearn for the grace of unconditional love, many tend to be confused, overwhelmed, or frustrated at not knowing how to open up to it. This is why I wrote Whatever Arises, Love That.

This book has been described as “an owner’s manual for a new spiritual paradigm.” It acts as a wise and loving companion throughout the uncertainties of an ever-changing world.

Now available as an unabridged audiobook, Whatever Arises, Love That is a powerful catalyst of healing for all stages of spiritual evolution.

This holiday season has a new soundtrack, reminding us that no matter what arises in life, “You deserve more love, not less.”
Many blessings always,

Matt Kahn

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