Spring Cleaning with Oprah & Deepak, “Getting Unstuck: Creating A Limitless Life”

With the start of spring on March 20th, I decided to do some internal spring cleaning and today I started the latest free mediation experience with Oprah & Deepak. “GETTING UNSTUCK: CREATING A LIMITLESS LIFE”

Just like magic this Oprah and Deepak meditation came to my inbox.  March 2021 marks one year since the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed daily life, with many people remaining “stuck” at home to help participants cultivate presence, tap into potential and unlock creativity to release stagnation and improve mental health.

 I’m not new to meditation, I’ve been doing it pretty regularly for fews years. I try to meditate every day, but my focus has been off for the last couple of weeks. This 21-Day Mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak , came to the rescue. It’s free, easy to use and always provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.

The Challenge starts today March 18, its not too late to join Oprah and Deepak experience more energy, creativity and light in every facet of your life, sign up today or access on the Chopra App. 

Be Well!

Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection

For many people, new "stay-at-home" orders are going into effect daily. Here in Truckee we've reverted to distance learning until January. So my kids are home full-time, again, and with the cold weather and early nightfall, it's hard to get outdoors. All this time at home can be a good thing, but it also means more getting on each other's nerves, more eating, more preparing meals for everyone, and more stress   With COVID-19 still spreading across the country and around the world, my family and many others I know  are looking for ways to create greater peace in our lives.   

 I was happy to discover that Chopra Global and Oprah Winfrey have re-released their popular 21-Day Meditation Experience “Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection" in response to this trying year and amidst the divisive election, health pandemic, and social unrest. 

The free, 21-day meditation experience is available now, and will help participants resolve conflict and make a connection with their true self, hopefully leading to a greater inner peace, which will naturally extend to family, friends, the community and the world. 

Most of us are restricted in terms of where we can travel and who we can visit Thanksgiving holiday. I know a lot of family won't be able to be together this year.  My sister and I will not be able to share a meal. But we can still be there to support one another. I am thankful for this free meditation and the power of connection

 You can sign up for the meditation here or if you have the Chopra app on your phone, it appears in the Free Mediation section.

Finding Hope in Uncertain Times with Deepak and Oprah's Free Guided Meditation

With the rapid spread of Coronavirus around the globe, it is understandable that many of us feel helpless. So how can we keep ourselves sane in these unpredictable times? 

Join Deepak Chopra and Oprah and millions of meditators around the world to find peace of mind in the midst of turmoil and do your part to help our global community find hope and optimism and become more mindful.

I completed the 21-Day Meditation Challenge, "Hope in Uncertain Times," from Deepak and Oprah, in 2017. Today, with COVID-19, the meditation conveys a whole new meaning. I am grateful that Deepak and Oprah have re-released this mediation so we can all join the #HopeGoesGlobal movement. it is free, easy to use, and provides a wonderful source of inspiration.

I personally have been feeling overwhelmed lately and this could have not come at a better time. This challenge has a focus on how to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity to grow and evolve. I am only on Day 3, but I’m feeling more centered already. I try to meditate first thing in the morning before my kids are up and start their distance learning.

You can still sign up for the challenge here or if you have the app on your phone, it appears in the Free Meditation section.

Mindfulness and Healing in a Time of COVID-19 - Free Live Stream with Jon Kabat Zinn

Looking for some support in this time of need.? Jon Kabat-Zinn offered a Free Live Stream that explored how to address, anxiety, depression and mental health issues as we all “stay at home” or “shelter in place.”

More than ever, it is important to create a home practice of mindfulness and meditation. Learn how to better care for yourselves and how to care for others in this difficult time. There will be a mediation by Jon Kabat-Zinn followed by a talk and Q & A.

Thanks Jon Kabat-Zinn and Wisdom 2.0 for hosting a free live meditation on Wed. March 25rthat 1pm (PST) and 4pm (EST)

 Great news: Wisdom 2.0 will also be holding more of these with Jon.

Have Friends Who Want to Join?

Feel free to spread the word! They can Sign Up Here >>>
 

Learn more about Zoom access and adding to calendar below.

https://zoom.us/j/92482566387

Time: Apr 20, 2020 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
        Every day, until Apr 24, 2020, 5 occurrence(s)
        Apr 20, 2020 11:00 AM
        Apr 21, 2020 11:00 AM
        Apr 22, 2020 11:00 AM
        Apr 23, 2020 11:00 AM
        Apr 24, 2020 11:00 AM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Daily: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJYpf-utqD0pEtPD3PZ2MVekZTC6jmTUsw4K/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCqqjMoH9KTsxGARowQBoqga-_wpiFej7dtuEzVOXJ-VAb9DNZhZLhyJO3D

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92482566387

Past Sessions

The full sessions can be accessed here >>>. You can also see them and various highlights on our Youtube page.

Jon Kabat Zinn, PhD is an author, scientist, and mindfulness teacher . He is professor of medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society in 1995, and its world-renowned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Clinic in 1979. He is the author of 14 books, including the bestsellers Full Catastrophe Living; Wherever You Go, There You Are; and Mindfulness for Beginners, and the new four-volume update of Coming to Our Senses (2108/2019).

Please note: If you cannot join us live, we will share the video of the session after so all can enjoy, even if you are not free at this time.

The Science of Being Happy

I just finished an amazing free online course called the Science-of-Well-Being.  Since it’s free and focused on mindfulness, I had to give it a try.  Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University overviews what psychological science says about happiness in order to teach students how to lead a happier, more satisfying lives. The course also gives learners tips to apply wellness activities into their lives.

This class does not treat serious mental health issues like anxiety or depression. However, Dr. Santos’ class does provide space to have much needed conversations about mental health and happiness. And who couldn’t doesn’t want a free lesson on how to live a happier life?

So many of us are suffering from issues, such as relationship problems, substance misuse, physical health problems, job or financial problems, and recent crises.  Why not spend a little of your time to focus on well- being?

The class starts out by going over what you think makes you happy (but really doesn’t) and then in the later weeks, she reveals what actually makes us happy, based on scientific  research.  Spoiler alert:  Dr. Santos gives simple assignments that focus on such things as meditation and gratitude practice.  One week my assignment was to write down 3 things I was grateful for that day.  This simple assignment helped to focus my mind on the positive.  I was, also, so impressed with the questions the students from Yale..  Their insights and questions  made me want to be back on a collage campus.  

The multipart seminar-style series - filmed last year in Dr. Santos’ home - is available for free on Coursera.

The no-charge option for the course doesn’t include all the assignments and class materials — there’s a $49 tuition fee if you’d like all the available materials. I just took the free course and it gives you complete access to all the lectures.

So, 6 weeks later, am I a happier person for taking the Science of Well-Being?  Yes, I think it was time well spent for me.  I learned how to focus my mind and body with the simple tools that Dr. Santos shares in her course.  Thanks to Dr. Santo's and Yale for making this course available to the public for free.  I am grateful to be a student of the Science of Well-Being.

Free Meditations with Oprah and Deepak

Join Oprah and Deepak starting July 15 for three weeks of free meditations in Miraculous Relationships. 

I have done many of these 21-day mediation programs, and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use, and always provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.

The challenge starts, July 15th So, it's not too late to join Oprah and Deepak experience and become the love you seek. Sign up today!

Oprah & Deepak’s 21-Day Meditation Experience, Manifesting Grace through Gratitude

It is that time again.  Four times a year, through the Chopra Meditation Center, Oprah and Deepak offer a NEW completely FREE series of 21 online guided meditations. I love the programs in this series and use them myself. Manifesting Grace through Gratitude. Starting March 25!

In Manifesting Grace through Gratitude, Oprah and Deepak lead you on a meditation journey to experience true happiness regardless of external circumstances, and appreciate the joy of simply being.

Beautiful soundscapes harmonize with Oprah & Deepak’s daily messages, mantra-based meditations, and centering thoughts. Start your journey towards feeling genuine gratitude each day – and experiencing the gifts grace has to offer in return – with Manifesting Grace through Gratitude! 

I have done many of these 21-day mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak, and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use and always provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.

The challenge starts, March 25th So, it's not too late to join Oprah and Deepak experience and step into your greatness. Sign up today!

Be well!

Relax with a Sound Bath for a Healing Meditation

Last week, I went to a Sound Bath and Reiki session at Three Feathers Holistic for an intimate meditation. After a few minutes of shuffling, I settled in and focused on the transcendental tones of the Tibetan singing bowls, used to encourage meditation and relaxation.

Sound healing is a mind-body approach to wellness.  Sound healers work to release tension held in the body with the help of vibration of sound.  Sound has been used in many cultures for thousands of years for healing purposes.  Sound healing can use chanting, music, and other types of sounds to calm the mind and help the body to heal itself. The sound is transmitted as vibrations of energy in the air at a certain wavelength. 

In my class, Gyongyi Ridenour, the founder of Gyoharmony, played the Tibetan singing bowls and gongs through channeling. As a participant I experienced full Body, Mind and Spirit relaxation, hearing the sound, feeling the vibration and receiving the wonderful healing energy.  Also, in this session, we had the added bonus of Reiki, with Tanya Fuller, RMT of Three Feathers Holistic. Reiki is a healing technique that uses touch.  The addition of Reiki to the Sound Bath was this very powerful combination.

The practice of Sound Therapy is getting more popular in wellness circles, with sound baths popping up at yoga studios and spas around the country. And, for good reason, using sound as therapy can help with various issues such as sleep disorders, anxiety, stress and pain management and more.

Check out your local listing for yoga studios that may offer sound therapy in your area.

For local Truckee folks the next Sounds Bath is Thurs . April 4th  at Three Feathers

Reiki Sound Bath is every 1st Thursday of the month, Feb-May, 6:00-7pm, $30

Mindfulness and Caregivers

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness and National Family Caregivers Month. Caring for someone with a form of dementia is stressful. According the National Alzheimer's Association, more than four in five caregivers would have liked more support in providing care for someone with dementia, especially from their family. With millions of Alzheimer's caregivers across the country, that leaves a lot of people in need of support.

I moved in with our grandmother to care for her when she was 94. At this point she had signs of dementia which would worsen over the next two years before she passed away. Symptoms include:

• Short term memory problems
• Confusion
• Repeatedly asking the same questions
• Becoming anxious and withdrawn
• Mood changes
• Becoming obsessive

When our grandmother began to experience these symptoms, she refused to see a doctor and was increasingly unable to move around, let alone leave the house. I would turn to meditation, to prayer, to yoga, and to my sister and friends for comfort and relief from the stress I was dealing with. My mindfulness practice deepened and it helped me to keep my temper and to find solutions to keep our grandmother comfortable at home as long as possible, as was her wish.

If you are a caregiver, try to incorporate more mindful awareness to your days to bring some semblance of calm when you need it most. Here's some information from our friends at Encore in the UK on Dealing with Dementia and important steps to take if you are a caregiver.

By Michele Garvey

Feel More Energy

With our busy lives, we often feel drained and have little time to for fun.  Taking time to breathe and re-center has become a crucial part of my daily routine, and I am a huge fan of Oprah and Deepak’s 21-day meditations. When I heard that Deepak was doing his own 21-day meditation, I knew I had to give it a try.

If you are looking for a way to reconnect with the youthful spirit, join Deepak on this journey to maximize energy, live a healthier lifestyle, and tap into your inner youth, no matter your chronological age.

The mediation stated today so I gave it a try this morning. I did miss Oprah at the beginning, but was grateful to be able to connect with Deepak as we explored our true nature and began to discover our path to health and happiness.

Check out this free meditation experience, Energize Your Life: Secrets for a Youthful Spirit. which started today, Monday, October 29. You have five days to listen to the mediation, so it’s not too late to join.

Thanks Deepak!  Wonderful way to start my morning, and I’m excited for the next 20 days!

Live Stream Monday Night Dharma Talks from Spirit Rock

Living in Northern CA for the last 20 + years I have been blessed to often visit Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  Spirit Rock is dedicated the practice of mindful awareness and provides silent meditation retreats, as well as classes, trainings, and Dharma study opportunities for both beginners and experienced students.

One of my favorite offerings is the Monday Night Dharma Talks. I make the trip to Woodacre, CA, at least a few times a year to listen to Jack Kornfield (and friends) give these talks. It is amazing to mediate with a large group. If you are traveling to northern CA, Spirit Rock is about a half hour from San Francisco and a must-see for mindful visitors.

Spirit Rock is visited by an estimated 40,000 peace-seekers every year and has become one of the most influential and well-attended meditation centers in the world. The teachings of the Buddha (Dharma) and the practices of Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and loving-kindness meditation (Metta) are at the heart of the programs.

These days living in Truckee, it is not easy for me to drive to Spirit Rock, but (hooray!) some of the Monday night Dharma Talks can now be accessed on the web or via Livestream on Facebook.  Due to my kid’s soccer game, I missed Jack’s Monday’s talk on Sept 17th, but could view it on Facebook later in the week for free. Here is the link if you are interested.

If you can't make it to the talks in-person, you can sign up for the livestream or follow Spirit Rock on Facebook.

Monday Night Dharma talks are an amazing gathering where you can quiet the mind and open your heart, and now you can do it virtually. Check out the live webcasts, they are held some Monday nights from 7:15 - 9:15pm PDT. "Spirit Rock Live: Monday Nights with Jack Kornfield and Friends."  

Choose Your Energy, Change Your Life!

It is that time again.  Four times a year, through the Chopra Meditation Center, Oprah and Deepak offer a NEW completely FREE series of 21 online guided meditations. I love the programs in this series and use them myself. Their newest program, Energy of Attraction, started today, July 23rd, 2018!

People from spiritual traditions throughout the world have long reported that regular meditation actually results in greater efficiency, productivity and abundance. Join Oprah and Deepak on a transformative meditation journey, as they reveal the secrets to attracting all the love, success, and happiness you desire. Tap into your true ability to co-create with the universe, let go of constricting beliefs to embrace all possibilities for success, and harness your power to manifest your best and most meaningful life.

I have now done many of these 21-day mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak, and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use and always provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.

The challenge started today, July 23rd. So, it's not too late to join Oprah and Deepak experience and step into your greatness. Sign up today!

Be well!

The Science-of-Well-Being

I just finished an amazing free online course called the Science-of-Well-Being.  Since it’s free and focused on mindfulness, I had to give it a try.  Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University overviews what psychological science says about happiness in order to teach students how to lead a happier, more satisfying lives. The course also gives learners tips to apply wellness activities into their lives.

This class does not treat serious mental health issues like anxiety or depression. However, Dr. Santos’ class does provide space to have much needed conversations about mental health and happiness. And who couldn’t doesn’t want a free lesson on how to live a happier life?

So many of us are suffering from issues, such as relationship problems, substance misuse, physical health problems, job or financial problems, and recent crises.  Why not spend a little of your time to focus on well- being?

The class starts out by going over what you think makes you happy (but really doesn’t) and then in the later weeks, she reveals what actually makes us happy, based on scientific  research.  Spoiler alert:  Dr. Santos gives simple assignments that focus on such things as meditation and gratitude practice.  One week my assignment was to write down 3 things I was grateful for that day.  This simple assignment helped to focus my mind on the positive.  I was, also, so impressed with the questions the students from Yale..  Their insights and questions  made me want to be back on a collage campus.  

The multipart seminar-style series - filmed last year in Dr. Santos’ home - is available for free on Coursera.

The no-charge option for the course doesn’t include all the assignments and class materials — there’s a $49 tuition fee if you’d like all the available materials. I just took the free course and it gives you complete access to all the lectures.

So, 6 weeks later, am I a happier person for taking the Science of Well-Being?  Yes, I think it was time well spent for me.  I learned how to focus my mind and body with the simple tools that Dr. Santos shares in her course.  Thanks to Dr. Santo's and Yale for making this course available to the public for free.  I am grateful to be a student of the Science of Well-Being.

Mindfulness at School

October is here, and my kids are in full back-to-school mode. Math, Reading, and Science are all part of the curriculum at our school, and so is mindfulness.

While there are many mindfulness programs aimed at adults, more and more schools are bringing Mindfulness, Kindness, and Social Emotional Learning into the classroom.

Why kids need mindfulness?

The school environment can be very stressful as kids deal with issues from home, bullying, and performance in class, etc. Having a mindfulness program in school can help change this environment. 

At my children’s charter school here in Truckee, CA, we are lucky to have a program called Life Ingredients, which empowers kids to navigate their days with a greater sense of calm. Life Ingredients provides daily audio lessons that teachers play for their students. Each morning my kids listen to a five-minute audio session to start their day. 

Life Ingredients founder Deb Kelly, lives here in Truckee, but you can sample her audio lessons for free here. Life Ingredients also provides an amazing mindfulness program for parents and kids to listen to together at home. By giving our students the tools to live a more intentional, purposeful, and self-aware life, we can change the future

Bring mindfulness to your school

Mindful.org offers ways to contact the teachers and administrators in your school to add mindfulness to your school’s curriculum, but, as always, the best way to teach children to be mindful, is to demonstrate mindfulness in our own homes and in our daily lives. 

Does your school offer mindfulness program?  We would love to hear about it.

Join Oprah and Deepak Making Every Moment Matter

With summer ending I am looking forward to the inward-focus that comes with the cooler days of Fall. It's a great time of year to start some grounding health practices.  I am so excited for the latest Meditation from Oprah and Deepak, Making Every Moment Matter.  Tap into your inner wisdom to let goof things that no longer serve you, and transform your perception of time to feel less stressed and more purposeful.

I have now done around 9 of these 21-Day Mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use and always provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.

The Challenge starts on Oct 30th. Join Oprah and Deepak to create a life filled with experiences, people and moments that truly bring you joy, sign up today!

Be Well!

Desire and Destiny - 21 Day Mediatation with Oprah and Deepak, starts July 17th

I am so excited for the latest Meditation from Oprah and Deepak.  Check out one of the most popular 21-Day Meditation Challenges,  Desire and Destiny.  This meditation explores your heart's deepest desires and learn the keys to making them reality. 

I have now done around 8 of these 21-Day Mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use and always provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.

The Challenge starts on July 17th. Start your journey to passion and purpose now, sign up today!

Be Well!

Hope in Uncertain Times - 21 Day Meditation with Oprah and Deepak

Spring is here, and this year Oprah and Deepak are working to build a wellspring of hope andbecome more mindful at at the same time.

Check out the newest 21-Day Meditation Challenge from Deepak and Oprah. Hope in Uncertain Times. I have nowdone around 7 of these 21-Day Mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use and provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.
 
I started the 21 day challenge this week.  I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed lately and this could have not come at a better time.  This challenge has a focus on how to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity to grow and evolve. We are only on day 3, but I’m feeling more centered already.   I try to meditate first thing in the morning before the kids are up and business of the day has started. I have to admit, waking up at 6am has not been easy, but once I am up and start the day with Oprah and Deepak, I am grateful for this mediation.
 
You can still sign up for the challenge here.

What’s Your Mantra?

A mantra is a word or phrase repeated while meditating to aid in your concentration. It helps train your mind to pay attention and focus on the present moment. Many people are fortunate enough to be gifted a mantra from a teacher or guru. However, you can choose a mantra for yourself based on the qualities you want to bring into your life.
 
While choosing a mantra, you should look for a virtue that you want to develop, such as happiness, self-love or balance.  Your mantra can be in the traditional Hindu, English or another language if you prefer. It should be short so that it can be completed with the in and out breath.

While I was on a yoga retreat recently, my teacher told stories of the many deities pictured on the ashram grounds and explained what each represented. He gave my group a list of mantras, many of which are based on the virtues of the gods and goddesses we talked about. He said that most people would connect with one of these phrases.  I’m sharing the list below and hope you find one that advances your practice.
 
Possible Mantras and the associated deities
 
·         Om – the first sound – connectivity
·         So Ham – existence
·         Om Dum Durgayai Namaha – Power (Durga)
·         Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha – Creativity (Saraswati)
·         Om Shri Maaha Lakshmyai Namaha – Beauty (Lakshmi)
·         Om Gam Ganaapatyai Namaha – Help (Ganesha)
·         Om Sri Anjanaya Namaha – Service (Hanuman)
·         Om Sri Ramaya Namaha – Duty –(Rama)
·         Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – Joy (Krishna)
·         Om Namah – Stillness – (Shiva)
·         Om Name Narayanaya – Balance – (Vishnu)
 
Sound out each mantra aloud. Do it again until one seems to fit with your needs and you feel comfortable repeating it. Try using it during meditation. If you like it, congratulations, you’ve found your mantra. If none of these resonate, continue to search for a better fit.
 
Namaste.

Taking Time for Yoga

Yoga Retreats

We all recognize the benefits of yoga and meditation, but it’s often hard to find time to practice. But what if you could devote days to this endeavor? Taking off time for a wellness retreat allows you to focus on taking your practice to the next level and provides the schedule for you so there’s no question about skipping yoga class today.
 
I spent time looking at a variety of yoga retreats, and you can find them all over the world.  You can find reviews everywhere.  Both Goop and Book Yoga Retreats offer a good look. You can go upscale at a swanky hotel in France or stay at an ashram with dorm room facilities in Boston. You can spend a weekend or a month. You can take special courses or just show up for daily yoga sessions and use the rest of your time as you please. You can even incorporate volunteerism into your stay. Some places are all-inclusive with lodgings and meals, and others don’t -- so think about what you want from the place you choose. Some have strict rules about what eat so take that into account when you are looking. Many offer silent retreats as well if that is something you are interested in.
 
Living in cold weather at this time of year, I’m thinking of going south to the Caribbean or Mexico for a few weeks. Two programs that look interesting are yoga at a program and at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat at Paradise Island in the Bahamas and Rancho La Puerta right over the border from San Deigo in Mexico. Unlike many of the retreats I researched, these two seem easy to get to from my location, and you can choose from different types of accommodations. They offer many different programs, or you can sign up for a basic Yoga Vacation package which includes of daily yoga practice, a healthy vegetarian diet, silent meditation sessions, and uplifting teachings.
 
Have you taken a yoga retreat?  Tell us about your experience!
 
Guest Post written by:
Michele Garvey – editor, bemindful.com