Equanimity: Finding Balance in Difficult Times

These are times of uncertainty and concern. Since the presidential election, no matter who your chosen candidate was, we are all entering uncharted territory as a new administration, with no prior experience in government, is about to run the most powerful country on the planet. There are many people thrilled at the possible change of direction. And there are also many who are filled with anxiety, despair and other negative emotions. Especially for immigrants, People of Color, LGBT and other non-white, non-mainstream groups, there’s good cause for fear and concern given the “culture of othering” that is so prevalent these days. Whatever one’s party affiliation or non-affiliation, high-level appointments have to be cause for apprehension and worry for most dharma practitioners. These …

joy in difficult times

Finding Joy In Difficult Times

Dear Friends, Friday, March 20th is the annual UN International Day of Happiness. I hope you are in touch with all the blessings in your life and sharing happiness with others. The Awakening Joy course current theme is "Finding Joy in Difficult Times." I hope you enjoy this wonderful video clip of beloved teacher, Sylvia Boorstein from last year's AJ class talking about how the difficulties in life connect us all and can open the heart. It reminds me of the moving words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: "If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." Enjoy the International Day of Happiness. With best wishes, ~James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57w60nE-vcw

expressing gratitude

Expressing Your Gratitude

The third theme in the "Awakening Joy" course is Gratitude. The below 4-minute clip from Action for Happiness captured two people sharing the most powerful exercise recommended by Martin Seligman to activate authentic happiness in his Positive Psychology students:Write a letter of gratitude to someone you really appreciate and read it to them in person.Check out the clip here: You might try it yourself. Think of someone you appreciate and write them a letter of gratitude. If possible, read it to them directly. Notice how you both feel. By the way, March 20th is the UN's International Happiness Day. Share your blessings with everyone in your life.Wishing you all good things, ~James

mindfulness

The Many Gifts of Mindfulness

Our current theme is mindfulness which is really about being present for your life. With mindfulness we know what is actually happening right now without getting lost in our thoughts or judgments. It also awakens joy in several ways. First, mindfulness helps us wake up from our confusion by grounding us in our actual experience. Coming back to this moment interrupts that momentum of ruminations about the past or future or grumbling about the present. It’s like pressing the “clear” button on a calculator. It doesn’t matter how complex the numbers have gotten, once you press that “C” button you have a fresh start. When you begin to lose perspective and your mind is spinning out in fear or confusion, bring your …