Search results for: Cognitive Defusion in a Nutshell
15 Benefits of Cultivating Mindfulness
“The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.” – Pema Chödrön It can be tough to be mindful in a society that is fast paced and intent on getting as much…
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3 Fundamental Activities of Mindfulness
“People suffer because they are caught in their views. As soon as we release those views, we are free and we don’t suffer anymore.” – Thich Nhat Hanh What activities come to mind when you picture mindfulness? How do you “know” when you are truly practicing mindfulness? Many people experience mindfulness as a quiet sense…
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Taming the “Wild Horse” of the Mind
“Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.” – Aesop Mindfulness involves allowing yourself to fully open up to the present moment – all of it – with curiosity, acceptance, and nonjudgmental awareness. This is a simple concept that can be incredibly difficult to harness. The mind is generally filled with incessant “chatter” about…
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7 Steps to Bring About Lasting Change
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy When we begin new habits and routines, we are often simultaneously letting go of unwanted habits. Many people have realized firsthand that when you remove something unwanted from your life (e.g., a self-destructive habit), it is quite helpful to…
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Top 10 Instant Relaxation Techniques – Part Two
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” – Baba Ram Dass In my previous post, Top 10 Instant Relaxation Techniques – Part One, I explored five helpful relaxation tips highlighted in a recent WebMD article. During times of intense stress or heightened emotional states, it is important to feel capable of calming oneself…
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Top 10 Instant Relaxation Techniques – Part One
“Light be the earth upon you, lightly rest.” – Euripides There are moments in life when it feels like everything is hitting you all at once. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed by worrisome thoughts, intense emotions, or general overstimulation from the world. In stressful moments, it is important to feel confident in the knowledge that…
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How to Practice “Everyday Mindfulness”
“Nothing is worth more than this day.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p. 4). When we begin to make contact with the present moment using the tool of mindfulness, the world gradually begins to look and feel…
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5 Signs You Are In a State of “Flow”
People who learn to control inner experience will be able to determine the quality of their lives, which is as close as any of us can come to being happy. – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi When we are in state of “flow” there is often a sense of losing track of time and feeling completely immersed in…
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ACT on the Paradox of Depression
“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” – Francis Bacon Depression can manifest itself in a variety of forms and impact people’s lives in a multitude of ways. It’s quite different from feeling sad every now and then, or even grief-stricken in the face of loss. For some people,…
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5 Ways to Let Go of Judgment & Fear
“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” – Carl Jung Judgment and fear have a tendency to hold you back from living a rich and meaningful life that is based on your true values and establishing harmony in relationships. There is often a high price to pay for living…
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