Conversations with the Wise: Thanissara

Awakening Joy's James Baraz recently interviewed Thanissara, meditation teacher, social and environmental activist, mindfulness psychotherapist and co-author of Listening to the Heart as part of a series called "Conversations with the Wise": "If we’re going to take on forces that are trying to destroy the whole planet—and we should make no mistake about it, that’s actually what is happening—some of this consciousness is so devoid of humane empathy that they would rather take down and destroy everything before they let go of their power—shouldn’t we be responding collectively and standing for the values that we hold dear? "To feel anger when someone is overwhelming your boundaries is a natural reaction but when it turns into dwelling in hatred it’s like, as Nelson …

Conversations with the Wise: Guy Armstrong

The conversations continue.... In these times we’re called upon to bring as much consciousness, love and skillful action as we can into the world. We’ve asked some exceptionally wise voices of the mindfulness community how they’re navigating this difficult period as the forces of greed, hatred and confusion are creating suffering for so many and for our planet. This week's “Conversations with the Wise” is with Guy Armstrong: "The possible benefit is the unification of the groups that share aspects of a common vision of inclusivity and appreciation of the diversity of our people." Watch excerpt here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-D5dFD3Gew For the full conversation, visit https://awakeningjoy.info/conversationsArmstrong.html And please join us for this year’s Awakening Joy course, which is a way to stay in touch with …

Conversations with the Wise: Tara Brach & Rick Hanson

In these times we're called upon to bring as much consciousness, love and skillful action as we can into the world. We've asked some exceptionally wise voices of the mindfulness community how they're navigating this difficult period as the forces of greed, hatred and confusion are creating suffering for so many and for our planet. We're offering these "Conversations with the Wise" videos (the first two with Tara Brach and Rick Hanson) freely throughout the year. We hope you will find them valuable. And please join us for this year's Awakening Joy course, which is a way to stay in touch with the good inside and around you in these distressing times. The course aims to bring more peace within ourselves …

joy in 2018

Bring More Joy into Your Life in 2018

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Dr. Christine Carter, a sociologist, coach, and happiness expert at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, about how to bring more joy into your life this year. I hope you enjoy her blog piece based on the interview which I've included below. You can also read it on her blog site here. Dr. Carter also just released a great new book entitled The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work. I highly recommend it! Like a wise friend you can depend on, Dr. Carter takes you by the hand and, with gentle encouragement, shows you step by step how to create true well-being in your life. Honest, playful, unpretentious and chock …

joy in letting go

(Video) The Joy of Letting Go

One of the ten principles in the Awakening Joy course is "The Joy of Letting Go." Here's an excerpt from the 2014 course where I talk about the predicament of holding on that we often get caught in and the freedom that comes from learning to let go. Hope you enjoy it. Warm wishes ~James  To watch this video on YouTube, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7jGXsJ1NXM

Holding Hands Together: From Helplessness to Empowerment

Since the presidential election, no matter who your chosen candidate was, you will probably agree that we have entered uncharted territory as a new administration, with no prior experience in government, is running the most powerful country on the planet. There are many thrilled at the possible change of direction. But there are also many more who are filled with anxiety, despair and other negative emotions. Given the culture of “othering” so prevalent these days this is especially true for those so often marginalized: immigrants, People of Color, LGBT and other non-white, non-mainstream groups. For them this has been a traumatic experience, a seismic shakeup of reality. We’ve moved from “the audacity of hope” to a philosophy of fear and hatred. Whatever one’s …

choice makes all the difference

The Choice That Makes All the Difference

Have you ever said something hurtful in a moment of frustration and later felt awful about it with self-talk like: How could I have said that? What was I thinking?! Although it’s important to acknowledge and honor difficult emotions when they arise, if they run the show the results are usually disastrous. If fear or confusion is in the driver’s seat, you’re sure to be headed for trouble. That’s why integrity—acting in alignment with your values—is one of the essential components to awakening joy. A key to inner peace is learning the power of delayed gratification with regard to impulse control. We often don’t realize that we can choose a longer lasting well-being by foregoing the quick gratification of hastily acting …

self compassion does not mean playing it safe

Self Compassion Does Not Mean Playing It Safe

Most of us have high standards for ourselves. Whether wanting to gain recognition, feel like we belong, or achieve our goals, we can easily fall short of our ideal and in the process judge ourselves as being not good enough. Practiced over a lifetime, this striving for perfection hardens into self-judgment, unworthiness and low self-image. For the vast majority of people who come to meditation retreats this habit of self-criticism is a central issue. As someone who knows this problem first-hand I can attest to its debilitating power. When I was growing up I had a hard time just looking in the mirror. I wasn't cool. I was shy. I wasn’t buff. I was "pudgy cute." Though we didn't have a …