zenwrit

Relaxation isn't just about peace of mind or enjoying a hobby. Relaxation is a process that decreases the effects of stress on your mind and body.

Learning basic relaxation techniques is easy. Relaxation techniques also are often free or low cost, pose little risk and can be done just about anywhere. Explore these simple relaxation techniques and get started on de-stressing your life and improving your health.

And scans show mindfulness may change the way our brains function and help us improve attention, reduce stress hormones and even bounce back faster from negative information.

“Intentionally paying attention to the present nonjudgmentally”

Forget self-improvement

Make tough stuff work

Love your commute

A Native American wisdom story tells of an old Cherokee who is teaching his grandson about life. 'A fight is going on inside me,' he said to the boy. 'It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil--he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good--he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The fight is going on inside of you--and inside every other person, too.

'Which wolf will win?' The old Cherokee replied, 'The one that you feed.'

Our being resonates with the sight of a flower, sound of birds, feeling of the breeze.

In the nature meditations, we focus our awareness on the experience of nature — sight, sound, touch, smell (and perhaps even taste).

Connecting to one's humanity is found not in fame and glory, but in an inner stillness that is best cultivated in the natural world. In nature, the calm external environment encourages inner peace.

I credit the woods behind my childhood home for being a lifeline to the magical brilliance in its leafy reality.

Everything in the woods made sense

Our brains can't do even two independent things that require conscious thought, especially if those two things involve different goals.

the problem... the brain isn't a computer, and in many cases the brain works much more slowly than a modern processor.

Use links page as possible starting point for 30 links; 10 can be borrowed from this list; 20 have to be culled using your own research and fueled (hopefully) by your curiosity; use Diigo to bookmark, comment and tag at least 10 sites for Project 2 by today

Cultivating mindfulness is the key to overcoming suffering and recognizing natural wisdom: both our own and others'.

Mindfulness meditation is unique in that it is not directed toward getting us to be different from how we already are. Instead, it helps us become aware of what is already true moment by moment.

Instead of struggling to get away from experiences we find difficult, we practice being able to be with them.

In mindfulness, or shamatha, meditation, we are trying to achieve a mind that is stable and calm. What we begin to discover is that this calmness or harmony is a natural aspect of the mind.

There are certain conditions that are helpful for the practice of mindfulness. When we create the right environment it’s easier to practice.

Often we just plop ourselves down to meditate and just let the mind take us wherever it may. We have to create a personal sense of discipline. When we sit down, we can remind ourselves: “I’m here to work on my mind. I’m here to train my mind.” It’s okay to say that to yourself when you sit down, literally. We need that kind of inspiration as we begin to practice.

is a spiritual or psychological faculty (indriya) that, according to the teaching of the Buddha, is considered to be of great importance in the path to enlightenment.

Enlightenment (bodhi) is a state of being in which greed, hatred and delusion (Pali: moha) have been overcome, abandoned and are absent from the mind. Mindfulness, which, among other things, is an attentive awareness of the reality of things (especially of the present moment) is an antidote to delusion and is considered as such a 'power'

Mindfulness exercises have been shown to help people stay on course and to better manage difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences.

When you are mindful, you are better able to take in information from your environment and choose an appropriate response, rather than reacting based from a history of bad experiences and old habits.

“TIME is but the stream I go fishing in”.

With acceptance comes a sense of wonder; each warm day passing to the timeless thrum of cicadas rather than the ticking of the clock.

I have found that getting away for a few days fishing recharges my batteries and helps me get through that boredom of work and some parts of life.

When I am fishing/camping I find all of my issues  seem to just fade away leaving me with a overwhelming feeling of peace

Wild Mindfulness offers a chance to attend mindfully to the wild interconnections that define us.