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“Realize that this very body, with its aches and it pleasures… is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake, fully alive.” – Pema Chodron

I hope you enjoy this free 2o minute guided “body scan” meditation that I created for you to help you improve your body awareness – helping you shift your internal default setting from REACTING all the time – to more of a REFLECTIVE perspective.  Practicing “Feel” on a regular basis helps our mind slow down and become more relaxed in the body – so we can focus easier.  It shifts our attention away from our worries of the day and thoughts about the past and the future.  It dissolves physical stress and emotions that may be trapped within the body. It trains our attention to feel what’s really going on – in this moment – in our body.

So… “Don’t Think. Feel.”  – Bruce Lee

I hope this helps!

Peace IN. – Andy

(MP3 download) Right click and “save link as…”  to download it to your computer

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to play “The Brookline Buddha“.  I spent the day with the 8th graders over at the Lawrence School in Brookline.  As some of you know, I spend a fair amount of time helping students, teachers, and parents deepen their understanding of their own mental processes – their inner landcsape, so they can focus on the moment, relax and really reflect on a situation before they act.

In every class I teach, the curriculum begins with a basic introduction to the science behind mindfulness.  Personally, I was very skeptical about meditation at first, so understanding the science, that proof of how it worked was very important to me.  I also believe that once students become more familiar with key parts of the brain and how they function together, they see that everyone’s brain works in the same way.  This awareness opens up a new ability to understand how they’re feeling in that moment – so they can get real clear in their response – and change their response, IF they need to.

I get excited about new ideas that can help people calm down and focus so that they can concentrate.  In this class I tried a new analogy: Your Brain as Your New England Patriots.

Continue reading “Belichick, Brady, And Your Brain”

“Plans are useless, but planning is invaluable.” –  Winston Churchill

Yes, it’s that time again – so grab your calendar and start planing!  The Holidays are a time of joy, love, family, friends… and stress.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the Holiday season – nothing makes me happier than seeing the look on my kids face when they’re opening their gifts on Christmas.  But… between the physical demands of always being on the go – running from one party to another – and the extra emotional energy needed to catch up with family and friends (not to mention socializing with colleagues), the Holidays can be VERY stressful.  Add in some extra cookies, candy canes, caffeine, some Nog, and Cousin Eddie… you’re bound to get some heightened physical and emotional reactions to your stress.

In order to slow things down so we can really enjoy the Holiday season this year we need to start planning NOW.  Here are five tips that will help you manage your stress levels over the Holiday season.

Continue reading “5 Tips to melt away stress this holiday season”

Learn to Meditate!

Sunday, November 3^rd, The Boston Buddha’s own, Andy Kelley will be at Weymouth Club to teach you how to meditate.  Meditation is a great way to elevate your mood, increase health, energy, productivity and focus. Join Andy on Sunday, November 3rd, 11:00am-12:15pm in the NEW Mind Body studio. Please register through front desk, this class fills up very quickly!

There’s only one shortcut in life to being a good person – just be a little bit better today than you were yesterday.” – Lewis Young (The Milton Food Pantry)

This morning, as I whisked into Tedeshci’s hunting for my creamer, I was greeted with a “Good Morning” by a customer in line at the register.  I replied back and smiled but continued on at my typical frenetic pace toward the refrigerated goods.  I was on task and not about to be derailed.

Moments later, I trotted back with what I initially went in for plus newfound necessities, and stood behind this man waiting to pay.  He moved aside and said, “Please take care of her first… I may get just a few more things” and he turned to me, proceeding to lighten the load from my full arms.  I smiled and stopped this time.  You know when you are so in your head, you are almost startled by kindness?

As I walked out, he opened the door for me and slowly but clearly said, “Take your time, take your time…”  Now, if you know me, you know how important this sentiment is.  I = rush.

I began my drive home and thought about how fortunate I was to have my day altered by this gentleman – how this simple interaction shifted me.  I kept listening to his voice in my head, repeating his simple yet sophic advice to slow down.  I felt compelled to go back and tell him.  So I did.  We chatted for a bit and he shared more wondrous smiles, thoughts and stories.  He feels lucky and blessed.  When he wakes up in the morning, when he opens his eyes, he knows he has been given another day to spread joy.

I asked if I could take a video of him because I wanted to share his sentiment.  He obliged.

Here he is.  May I introduce 71 year old, Mr. Louis Young… “Forever” (which he added after shaking my hand).

How stunning life is when you take the time to recognize and savor the little things, the ingenuous joys… They can certainly brighten one’s day, even one’s outlook if you let them in.

So, today, feel free to heed his advice – “Take your time, take your time.”

Catharine =)

“The function of education is to help you from childhood not to imitate anybody, but be yourself all the time.” 

– J. Krishnamurti

1.  Start with focusing on the breath.

Mindful awareness is a concept that children don’t get very easily, and to be honest, I think most of us adults have issues with it too.  The more kids can experience breathing awareness the better off they will be handling stress.  I like to start by saying, Continue reading “5 Tips for Raising Mindful Kids”

“You will be your best self when you take time to understand what you really need, feel and want.” – Deborah Day

One of the biggest things that makes our willpower crash is relying on the brains promise of instant reward.  We want immediate gratification.  We want to feel better now and the ability to remember our long term goals gets foggy.  Meditation helps us get real clear in the midst of these stressful situations.

So, we have this reward system in our brain that makes us think something is going to make us happy.  When that part of the brain is activated it will tell us that chasing something down is the most important thing to do right now.  It’s a primitive part of the brain that’s adapted to make sure we don’t starve, so it’s really susceptible to food temptations.

One of the reasons that we give into these cravings is that we confuse the experience of wanting something with actual happiness and satisfaction. Continue reading “Increase Your Willpower With Focused Meditation”

The Boston Buddha and davidji discuss meditation for moms | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Wherever you are in your meditation practice and whether your desired outcome is finding clarity in your life, coping with stress/anxiety, emotional healing, or taking your life to the next level, you will awaken your inner healer and begin a powerful transformation.

The Meditation Healing Immersion begins on Friday evening (May 10) with a book signing and discussion with Davidji, author of Secrets of Meditation.

On Saturday (May 11), it will be a full day of intention setting, present moment calming techniques, mindfulness training, and reinforcement of your meditation practice through various types of meditation and yoga.  We will also explore the key principles of Ayurveda – the power of our emotional digestive fire – and how to make more conscious choices in our relationships and our daily interactions.

I love this type of workshop because we have a full day to really explore and practice a variety of meditation and mindfulness techniques. We’re able to jump right in and dive deep, stepping out of our ordinary weekend patterns and distractions – breaking away from those usual story-lines.  We’re able to let go and tap into a deeper connection to ourselves, our community, and expand our awareness – so when we leave we’re able to integrate what we’ve learned to our everyday lives.

If this sounds like something you’ll find value in, we would be honored to spend the weekend with you. $135 (includes signed copy of book). To register, click HERE  or call, 781-407-9642.

Workshop takes place at:

STIL STUDIO

781-407-9642

740 Legacy Place

Dedham, MA 02026