Category Archives: Focus & Clarity
This Holiday Season: Give Yourself the Gift of Hibernation
It is evening now, and as we head towards the shortest day of the year, it grows dark outside my window before dinner. I feel like staying inside and out of the cold winds and snow laden grass and hills. … Continue reading
Posted in Focus & Clarity, HIbernate, Hibernate, Observation, Preparing the Mind, Stillness, Time, Uncategorized
Tagged brain, Breathe, HIbernate, holidays, mind, Mind/Body, mindfulness, nature, present moment, rest, Social Media, Stillness, winter
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Gliding into Stillness after Thanksgiving
Black Friday. Deals extended!Cyber Monday. Cyber week!Lights flashing in our eyes. Our eyes darting to find great sales and our minds jumping from desire to desire – from a new phone to a new outfit.Sweets and food stimulating our taste … Continue reading
Posted in Focus & Clarity, Observation, Preparing the Mind, Self-Regulation, Stillness, Uncategorized
Tagged calm, clarity, Focus, mindfulness, Observation, Overwhelmed, Stillness, thankgiving
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Seeing Through Murky Waters
There is a beautiful stream that flows down the street from my home – it enters from one end, flows under the street bridge and emerges on the other side. I love going to stand on the side of the … Continue reading
Posted in Focus & Clarity, Observation, Preparing the Mind, Stillness, Time, unknown
Tagged calm, clarity, Curiosity, just being, Learning, mindfulness, nature, NewSchoolYear, Observing, OldHabits, present moment, Stillness, unknown
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Self-Regulation VI: Walking Into Longer Days
Winter solstice has passed and we are finally climbing out of our journey into progressively shorter days (and of course, by that I mean fewer hours of sunlight). As we moved into the darker days of the winter, we may … Continue reading
Self-Regulation V: The Mandala Practice
The mandala is an ancient symbol that represents the universe. It serves as a microcosmic representation of all that exists within us and in the external world. Mandalas have an intricate circular symmetry made of geometric patterns. Years ago, I … Continue reading
Self-Regulation II: Begins Before Bedtime
The world of sleep is mysterious and vast. We are conscious of ourselves just before we drift off to sleep. However, in between falling asleep and waking, we intentionally or unintentionally place full trust in the world around us – that … Continue reading
Posted in Focus & Clarity, Preparing the Mind, Self-Regulation, Sleep, Stillness
Tagged Anxiety, Balance, emotions, Focus, monkeymind, Relaxation, Self-Regulation, Sleep, Stillness
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Practicing Distraction & Practicing Focus Part II: An Ancient Tradition in a Modern Era
In the previous post, we deciphered the mind’s tendency to wander through and be pulled into an uninhibited stream of distractions. This was most evident as we watched ourselves, as outsiders, click around in a monkey-like fashion around Facebook (or … Continue reading
Posted in Focus & Clarity
Tagged ancient tradition, Balance, Breath, Meditation, Mind/Body, mindfulness, monkeymind
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Practicing Distraction & Practicing Focus: Part I
Distract your mind and it will frantically wander. Focus the mind and it will become still. Imagine yourself using Facebook. (If you don’t use Facebook, imagine yourself using another social media platform; if you don’t use social media, imagine yourself … Continue reading
Posted in Focus & Clarity
Tagged Balance, Focus, Meditation, Mind/Body, monkeymind, Self-Regulation
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Cultivating Academic Humility (Part II): Allaying Anxiety
Have you ever had the experience where you are so sure of an erroneous understanding that you practically persist and argue to hold on to it in light of counterarguments? Often, in the classroom, I observe students that are so … Continue reading
Posted in Anxiety & Struggle, Focus & Clarity
Tagged accept, Anxiety, embrace, Humility, Learning, openminded
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Cultivating Academic Humility (Part I): The Doorway to Curiosity, Innovation, & Passion
“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” –Albert Einstein. It is no coincidence that one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century spoke these words. Hearing Einstein’s name often conjures up the … Continue reading
Posted in Anxiety & Struggle, Curiosity, Focus & Clarity, Observation, Preparing the Mind
Tagged Curiosity, Humility, Learning, Observing, openminded
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Learning In Stillness 