Contemplative Living

This week on the Contemplative Living podcast, we take a look at how to foster a strong mindset. Rather than clinging to less-than-positive ideas, just observe them without taking part in them. Meditation can make attaining this easier by allowing us to rest between our thoughts. Taking time to focus on the moment rather than getting caught up in anxious thoughts and emotions is vital. Accept your ideas as indicators that lead you back to what's happening. Let go of any worries and be conscious and relaxed in the present. A Confident Mind involves cultivating self-respect, accepting our natural cognizance, and intentionally turning towards it rather than letting our customary reactions take over.

This week’s Contemplative Living Podcast examines the Joy Within. Joy within us is inexhaustible and ever-present, even when we can't sense it. It is best understood through direct experience. Connecting to our inner life with kindness provides an opportunity for renewal and emotional healing. Our essential joy resides not only in us but also in all sentient beings; it is unconditional and allows for freedom and interconnectedness.

In this week’s Contemplative Living Podcast we look deeply into the bonds of companionship. Admirable friends complete our spiritual life, bringing the power of companionship when we share our sadness, joys, and fears with each other. Interpersonal connection is just as important for our health as food and exercise; it involves listening closely and showing genuine care through eye contact, touching, and expressions of encouragement. Realizing all our relationships fall within a spectrum of interconnectedness helps us to identify who needs uplifting, who needs direction, and who needs a good chuckle.

The ability to control our attention is key to achieving personal power. Our thoughts and emotions are constantly vying for our attention, but it's up to us to decide where we focus our mental energy. By intentionally directing our attention toward what truly matters, we can exert greater influence over our own lives.

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast explores ways to Cultivate Awe. A meaningful facet to our spiritual journey, awe is a powerful emotion that triggers prosocial behavior and can be accessed through appreciation of beauty. There is a magnificence to the world such that it can be conceptualized in any number of ways; try and let yourself recognize this complexity and allow it to fill you with wonder. By recognizing the wonders present all around us, we become humble and engaged in understanding reality. Don't overlook the practicality of cultivating awe - be thankful for even the spontaneous, as their presence will eventually bring about deeper growth within your practice. 

This week on the Contemplative Living podcast, we share our insight into living life fearlessly. We don't have to face the vast sea alone. Keeping our minds steady, clear and present-focused can help us in this endeavor. Choosing to focus on the good that comes with being alive helps balance out any difficulties we might face. When we live fearlessly, we develop a taste of limitless love, wisdom, compassion, and joy. Believing in our relationships with everyone gives us the confidence to take on challenges. To truly live without fear requires letting go of the ego's presence and trusting in a greater wisdom than our own.

On this week’s edition of the Contemplative Living podcast, we take a look at loving the world. Happiness and contentment come from cherishing your own joys and self-care, as well as looking out for the well-being of this world we live upon. We can give back to the world we all inhabit with our talents and energy; together, let us be agents of personal growth and global change. When we nurture a deep bond with Earth and share empathy among ourselves, a sense of strength and alertness will follow. Consider what you want for this world you reside in - it is yours to love!

This week’s Contemplative Living Podcast examines Happiness for Another’s Good Experience. Sometimes, we may not agree with someone else’s lifestyle; however, we can still grant them kindness by celebrating their successes and generous acts. Letting go of our need to dictate what is right opens up a space for us to appreciate instead of envy others. If we take the time to truly observe another person, perhaps something within them will begin to grow and flourish. Let us step out of the way and allow happiness when that happens.

This week, Contemplative Living will take a deep dive into the topic of liking yourself. Embark on a journey to discover your true self and embrace all of you. Acknowledge the difficult feelings and open up pathways to obtain deeper insight. Disregard any negative conceptions; they may be realistic but are not necessarily factual. Allocate some time daily to relax, reflect and nurture yourself. Refrain from trusting in your own thinking – it’s nothing more than mere thoughts! Self-acceptance is a crucial factor to becoming content with who you are – but what would you be if you had faith in yourself and liked who you are?

On this week’s edition of Contemplative Living podcast, we take a profound look into the enigmatic aspects of ritual. Rituals are pervasive in the spiritual and religious practices of many cultures worldwide since ancient times. Not only do they provide us with a way to connect with the sacred or broaden our perspective, but they also help in weaving a sense of presence, unity, and purpose into our everyday lives. With rituals, it becomes easier for us to put aside negative habits and embrace growth and change. They promote focus and dedication towards our goals, enabling us to experience a feeling of being part and parcel of something greater.

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast examines what it means to be generous with what you have, regardless of how little. Back when I was young and poor, I never hesitated to give away whatever I had, unafraid that the universe wouldn't come through for me. The key to generosity is a profound feeling of gratefulness; when we recognize that what we currently have is enough, our ability to give increases exponentially. By acknowledging people in full without expecting anything in return, we open ourselves up to acts of fearless generosity seen all around us in nature - like the beauty of flowers and trees or the comforting sound of raindrops.

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast is devoted to regularly cultivating Sublime Attitudes of Goodwill, Compassion, Empathetic joy, and Equanimity. The first of these divine states is Goodwill - a desire for the ultimate well-being of oneself and all others. Compassion then comes into play when we encounter suffering, while Empathetic joy is experienced upon seeing happiness. Finally, Equanimity focuses our goodwill so that it can be applied more efficiently. Creating infinite attitudes in this way requires some effort. Keeping a positive outlook and mastering our intentions are both key steps toward success in doing so.

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast encourages us to look at our faults and mistakes as an opportunity for growth. Being unaware of our errors is the biggest misstep we can take. By rediscovering the present moment, we can return to a place without inadequacies. By investigating within to recognize why we may be troubled and disconnected, we can begin to address our dissatisfaction. Once accepted, our blunders become a platform on which to create positive change in our lives. Looking at missteps with compassion helps us let go of any guilt or shame that comes with them, providing us with the space to forgive ourselves.

In this week’s Contemplative Living Podcast - we look into what teachers and philosophers of all time have taught. It is said that the universe is in our hearts, yet we have to find out for ourselves. By looking directly into our own hearts, we find a clear experience of how things really are.

In this week’s Contemplative Living Podcast - we take a look at how we are connected to each other. Buddhist teachings tell us to see all living beings as precious jewels. We are linked together in the vast web of universal oneness. We connect to all the other jewels, even to those so distant that they are not visible. Each of us shines on all the others, no matter how faintly. We are all interdependent to learn from and better understand each other. Our jewel, of course, symbolizes our spiritual potential to become happier and wiser. We are mutually linked, interconnected, and interdependent to illuminate and support. 

In this week’s Contemplative Living Livestream, We look at our personal honor and integrity. Our spiritual practice is about resolutely pursuing our projects in the world and living authentically with personal honor and integrity. We can be authentic moral agents, by prioritizing in practice what we care about. Stand up to the stream of social expectations by living in your honor. We accept honor within our being and commit to living by it. Live up to the standards you set for yourself by doing what is right, even when it is hard. The most important step in living with integrity is, to be honest with yourself. Bring forth positive qualities that will see us live meaningful and dignified lives.

In this week’s Contemplative Living Podcast, We look at how connecting to ancestors of the past helps us live a better life. Practicing is about discovering ourselves to be in a great, flowing river connecting to ancestors of the past. We are shaped by our ancestors and also by the environments in which they lived. We think that our ancestors are behind us, but one of our tasks is to connect and discover how all our ancestors enrich our lives. When we connect with our ancestors, it can feel like they are right there with us.

In this week’s Contemplative Living podcast, We look at how our spiritual practice helps us experience Love and how it illuminates whatever we are creating. We are the brush that colors our world. Fill your palette with colors that positively excite your senses. Love illuminates whatever we are creating. We are neither the master nor owner of the love, compassion, and peace we create. We are here to participate in the creation and to embody who we are. 

In this week’s Contemplative Living podcast, We look at how our spiritual practice helps us experience the stir of the awakening mind. Through stillness, we begin to create space between ourselves and our thoughts. 

In this week’s Contemplative Living podcast, We look at how living our joyous life is tethered to our intentions. It’s a new year and with that comes the opportunity to start fresh. Take some time to reflect on what you want to manifest in your life this year. What are your deepest desires? What brings you joy? Begin living with deeper rooted intentions by setting aside time each day to connect with your higher self.