From the monthly archives:

November 2007

How to Boost Creativity Through Meditation

Photo: Fernando de Souza What is the essence of creativity? What makes us feel so fully alive when we are in the presence of creativity? While watching a DVD of Lianne Carroll, a jazz pianist and singer from the UK, I saw her shambling across the stage, twinset flapping. “Dowdy,” I thought, settling back into [...]

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What Makes us Creative?

Photo: diluvi By Mary Jaksch Are you creative? More creativity means more fun, more buzz, more laughter in life. Scientists see creative innovation as the communication between regions of the brain that are not usually connected. A crucial ingredient of creativity is the ability to develop alternative solutions, known as ‘divergent thinking’. (From an interesting [...]

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Are Zen Rituals Relics of the Past?

Photo: o2ma Is there merit in holding onto the traditional Zen rituals–or should we ditch them? To find an answer it is important to understand what their function is and why rituals can be powerful agents of change. What is the function of Zen rituals? Most rituals in Zen mark liminal states. Limen is Latin [...]

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How to be at Ease: 3 Ways to Escape Self-consciousness

Photo: audreyjm529 To be at ease means to be in harmony with circumstances.   When we’re at ease we’re unselfconscious and confident. We feel connected. Our body is soft, natural, fluid, and graceful. When we are ill at ease we’ re self-conscious and tentative. We feel isolated. Our body is uptight and unresponsive. But the [...]

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Practising Gratitude: A Path to Contentment

Photo: johnelamper Are you grateful? Do you think that’s too sweeping a question? Maybe you prefer to give me a qualified response. Something like this: “Well, I’m grateful for my health, but I’m hacked off about my boss. My kids are doing ok at school, but they’re getting a bit lippy. The wife and I [...]

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Looking to the Future for Fulfilment: Are You Waiting for Your Ship to Come in?

Photo by Bruno Girin Spiritual practice can be like a cargo cult. There’s a widespread religious movement in Melanesia where people believe that one day their ship will finally come in, sent by the gods. It will be laden with washing machines, TVs, sofas, cars, fridges, and everything else they have always waited for.   [...]

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The Secret of Instant Calmness: 3 Ways to Quieten the Mind

Photo: Peter Kurdulija Is your mind in a spin? Do you feel stressed? Here are three ways to calm your mind in an instant. The deep breath. Take a deep breath. Fill your belly and your chest as your inhale deeply. Then release the breath, letting it flow out naturally. Notice how your mind changes [...]

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