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The Power of Presence
Have you ever gone to an event or celebration and by the end of it felt like you missed it? Shared a story with someone and thought the other person had no clue what you said? Went to dinner where it seemed your dinner dates were more interested in their phone than you? Or have you sat back in a crowded space and felt completely alone-like no one was paying attention? If you have, you are not alone. We are living a in time where many people, places, and things are competing for our focus and attention. Distractions are plenty. Staying focused is more challenging than ever. We long for…
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The Enlightened Couple
Thousands of years ago, the Buddhist Zen Master Yunmen was asked, “What is enlightenment?”. Yunmen’s reply was simple: “An appropriate response.” Seems easy enough, right? How does a couple live an enlightened relationship? Is it possible that if we simply have an appropriate response, that all of our arguments and relational angst will wash away? Maybe. If you’re like me, though, you might be taking note that you are only nominally familiar with Zen Buddhist teachings, though they seem peaceful and wonderful. And you certainly are feeling a little far from enlightened, and definitely a little less than polished when it comes to finding the appropriate response. What is an…
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Athletes and the Mental Game
Embracing a Mind-Body-Spirit Connection to Create Your Best Performance It was 4am. I had set my alarm early so I could eat breakfast, get dressed, and mentally prepare for my first triathlon race ever–which also happened to be a half IronMan: an intense day of pushing all physical limits, starting with a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride, and finally a 13.1 mile run. Four months–and for the record, not enough–training for this epic event had brought me, exhilarated, to Memphis, Tennessee, ready to heroically attempt something I had not dared dream possible. The day before the race, I entered the park, looked across the water…
