Mindfulness Mode

Latest Episodes:

Mindful Marketing Strategies; Roger Choudhury Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

Roger Choudhury is an entrepreneur who has used mindful marketing strategies throughout his adult life. Turning 47 today, he has been an entrepreneur since the age of 19. Roger made his first million by 21 through direct marketing, working with various industries such as energy deregulation and credit card companies. He founded the Business Financial Network during the pandemic, a media company collaborating with publicly traded entities and retirement homes.
Additionally, Roger has experience as a cannabis consultant and master grower. Despite personal challenges, including two divorces, Roger is now happily married with three children. His holistic approach integrates mindfulness in both life and business, underscoring the importance of being present and purpose-driven.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Linktree: linktr.ee/BusinessFinancialNetwork
LInkedIn: Roger_Choudhury

Most Influential Person

My mom

Effect On Emotions

My mom is Hindu, and my father is Muslim. We meditate regularly. Eastern civilization is very spiritually advanced compared to Western civilization, and this is well documented.
The whole yoga revolution, for instance, began when a bunch of East Indian practitioners brought their knowledge here.
I strongly suggest that people not only take time out of their day but also make an effort to spend time with their breath, meditate, drown out the noise, and learn to be comfortable with their self-talk. Self-talk is a crucial aspect of this practice.
There's your foreground and background conversation, and the conversation you're having with yourself is essentially the conversation you're having with the universe.

Thoughts On Breathing

Buteyko is a Russian scientist who developed a breathing method. You can find more about it online; it's been really helpful for me.
Additionally, there are various frequency breath training techniques involving specific durations for holding, inhaling, and exhaling.

Bullying Story

Growing up, my father passed away, leaving my mom to run our restaurant on Bloor and Lansdowne. She was a great cook, but not a businessperson.
I spent my early years in Regent Park until age 10, then moved to Jane and Finch. My mom hoped for less racism, but we faced new challenges.
In Regent Park, I dealt with rockers and skinheads, and in Jane and Finch, it was a mix of Mexicans, Jamaicans, and other ethnicities. I encountered racism, being called names like “Paki” and “curry eater.”
I didn’t engage aggressively; instead, I’d ask, “Why are you doing this?” However, in Jane and Finch, I sometimes had to fight back for my belongings.
I believe facing adversity is essential for growth. My kids, aged 15, 17, and 19, have never been in a fight, which I find hard to relate to.
When I was younger, making plans involved uncertainty, unlike today's instant communication.
My son shows me how his classmates share their locations with him, thinking it’s an achievement.
While each generation faces different challenges, I believe that experiencing breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs. Building mental toughness is crucial, and while inclusivity is important, it should not compromise genuine personal growth.

Suggested Resources

Book: The Wealth That Money Can't Buy; Robin Sharma
App: n/a

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Elevating Indigenous Entrepreneurs; Geena Jackson Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Geena Jackson is dedicated to elevating indigenous entrepreneurs. She is the Creator and Executive Producer of Bear's Lair TV and the Founder & President of Sparkly Frog Clan Productions Inc. A proud member of theshíshálh (Sechelt) Nation on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Geena (Tsetasiya – Traditional Sechelt name) is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and a champion for Indigenous business and procurement. With over 30 years in broadcast and media communications, Geena has been a fervent advocate for Indigenous voices, rights, and business development. Her experience spans roles with the Squamish Nation, supporting over 750 Indigenous entrepreneurs and organizations. Geena also dedicates her efforts to initiatives like the Golden Eagles Rising Society, Right to Play, and Live Different, which aim to create positive, life-changing impacts in Indigenous communities.

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Website: GeenaJackson.com
LInkedIn: Geena_Jackson

Most Influential Person

My 94 year-old grandma

Effect On Emotions

As a 54-year-old woman going through menopause, I often experience a roller coaster of emotions.
To manage this, I turn to mindfulness practices like hiking and immersing myself in nature.
Breathing in fresh air and stepping away from my computer boosts my productivity and helps me feel more grounded.
Plus, spending quality time with my family is incredibly important to me.

Thoughts On Breathing

It's interesting because I recently read about the Wim Hof Method, which involves cold plunging and learning proper breathing techniques. I realized I'm not a natural breather—I'm quite uptight in that aspect.
Even when I try to sleep, I often catch myself tensing up. I got checked for sleep apnea, but it turns out I'm just so tense because I'm always thinking about what I need to do next, rather than being mindful of the present.
To help myself relax before bed, I have a routine: I go through the alphabet and think of three words for each letter. By the time I reach E, I'm usually fast asleep. It's a simple exercise, but it really helps me wind down.

Bullying Story

As I reflect on bullying and mindfulness, I've learned that success often attracts negativity, and I've faced attempts to bring me down to a “normal” level.
To manage this, I avoid reading negative social media comments, with my team promptly removing harmful posts.
Growing up poor in an abusive household with a single mom, I've become reactive and emotional, so I practice mindfulness to pause and breathe before responding.
I aim to prevent the cycle of poverty in Indigenous communities by promoting education, self-confidence, and economic sovereignty. We deserve ownership in projects, not just token participation, to truly uplift our people.

Suggested Resources

Book: Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan
App: Calm

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265 Mindfully Blend Traditional and Alternative Healing; Michelle Chalfant

Naked In The Now; Marijke McCandless

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Beyond Religious Boundaries; Mohamad Jebara Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Mohamad Jebara is a visionary thinker, artist, entrepreneur, and public speaker. From delivering newspapers and recycling discarded items as a child to fund his Islamic education, he has journeyed through diverse fields to become a senior Islamic scholar and a best-selling author of 109 books. Completing his memorization of the Quran by age 12, he developed expertise in Semitic languages, history, Biblical studies, and Islamic jurisprudence. At 13, he founded Cordova Academy to make classical Arabic and Quranic learning accessible to a Western audience. He has served hundreds of communities globally as Chief Imam, taught over 40,000 students through various academic institutes, and been hailed as the “coolest Imam” for his charitable efforts. His work bridges cultural and religious divides, and his biography, “Muhammad the World-Changer,” has received critical acclaim.

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Website: https://www.mohamadjebara.com

What Were You Like As A 5-Year-Old?

I've always been very curious. As a five-year-old, I explored the world, trying to understand rainbows and trees. One funny memory involves me spending more time with my friends' parents than with my friends, learning from their experiences. I would chat with them for hours about the world, science, and weather.
Even though much of what they told me was made up, I discovered later on that my curiosity drove me to understand how things work beneath the surface. This curiosity led me to pursue a career in research and writing as I strive to uncover the deeper roots and underlying causes of various subjects.

The Message of Mohamad's Teachings

If there's one lesson, I would say it is the importance of forming a healthy mindset. This is a lifelong struggle because we're always working on keeping our minds balanced. Achieving this involves being open to diverse ideas, sharing, and staying flexible. Prophet Muhammad’s formula for a healthy mindset includes three stages: gathering knowledge from diverse sources, analyzing and dissecting this information, and then creating something impactful.
This process of learning, analyzing, and transforming information into groundbreaking actions is central to a healthy mindset. These principles are reflected in my works, including “Muhammad, the World-Changer” and “The Life of the Qur'an.”
This approach underscores the core teachings and my ongoing efforts to develop and maintain a balanced and impactful mindset.

Words of Advice

Be open to ideas. You will be surprised. Sometimes, we limit ourselves by our judgment, misconceptions of the world, or prejudices.
It's important to keep yourself open to learn from anybody. Anyone can teach you. And I've learned so much from people that you would think don't know anything.
Regular people, people cleaning the street, and children have taught me so much wisdom. You can learn from anyone

Suggested Resources

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Unlock Spiritual Intelligence; Yosi Amram

Bridging the Gap Between Spirituality and Science; D. Neil Elliott

Learning the Language of Spirit With India Leigh

Resilient Leadership Lessons; David Brennan Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

David Brennan is a source of resilient leadership lessons, an innovative entrepreneur, and a dedicated advocate for female founders. Hailing from the Yukon Territories, David’s leadership qualities were honed through sports and later refined through personal and professional growth. Despite early academic challenges due to ADHD, he achieved a significant transformation by completing an online MBA with distinction, which reignited his passion for lifelong learning.
As the founder of Arkeo AI, David is revolutionizing business operations with a SaaS co-pilot that integrates AI to enhance efficiency. His leadership philosophy is rooted in mindfulness, using his running practice to stay grounded and focused. David is committed to fostering diverse teams and empowering female leaders, recognizing the unique balance they bring to the business world. Connect with David on LinkedIn to follow his inspiring journey and learn from his wealth of experience.

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Website: arkeoai.com/
LInkedIn: David Brennan

Most Influential Person

Stephanie, a spiritual leader and performance coach

Effect On Emotions

Mindfulness has allowed me to truly feel emotions. For a long time, as a man, showing emotions was frowned upon, so I just boxed them up and didn't feel them.
That's not a healthy way to live. As I've become more mindful and aware of what's happening around me, I've been able to actually experience my emotions.
This has been incredibly healthy and surprisingly fun because life is pretty dull without feeling it all.

Thoughts On Breathing

I struggle with meditation and am not very good at it, but running serves as my meditation. It helps me manage my ADHD and expend energy.
However, I've discovered some amazing breathwork exercises that everyone should try. For instance, Andrew Huberman talks about the sympathetic sigh, which can help relieve a cramp while running. I also practice box breathing regularly.
Just six weeks ago, I was in Zion National Park, feeling like I was about to fall off a 1,500-foot mountain. I sat down and did 10 minutes of box breathing, which centered me right into the moment.
Breathwork is one of the most powerful tools anyone can use.

Bullying Story

Bullying is a complex issue. I remember bullying someone as a kid and having a deep conversation with a teacher afterward. That moment made me realize that wasn't the kind of person I wanted to be, and it stuck with me.
In the oil and gas industry, I saw so much of this toxic behavior. The environment was so harsh that showing any emotion meant you’d be torn down.
One reason I left oil and gas was because of this toxicity. In the tech world, I can create safer, more supportive teams. It's crucial to foster an environment where inappropriate behavior is addressed.
Unhappy people often act out, leading to bullying and a toxic workplace. Being aware and connected with your team helps prevent these issues and promotes a healthier work culture

Suggested Resources

Book: The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
App: Othership Breathwork App
App: Sam Harris Breathwork App

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Offer From Bruce

Seeking relief from stress and anxiety? As a coach and hypnotist, I'm here to help you conquer your inner critic so you can confidently thrive. Email me at bruce@mindfulnessmode.com with ‘I Am Determined' for a free coaching session. Let me help you pave the way to a fulfilling life.

Digital and Savvy Success; Maha Abouelenein Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

Maha Abouelenein is the founder and CEO of Digital and Savvy, a success story in strategic communications. The firm focuses on creating value through powerful storytelling. Meeting Maha at the Collision Conference in Toronto recently #collisionconf was an honor. Maha has more than 30 years of global communications experience. She advises corporate giants and high-net-worth individuals across the world. The company is rooted in building meaningful relationships that yield incredible results. Maha launched some of the world’s largest tech companies in the Middle East from communications, policy, and business development perspectives – from Google and Netflix to Udacity and Careem (Uber) and more. She supported the largest IPO and the largest acquisition in Egypt’s history at Orascom Telecom. She also built sports marketing programs and strategic partnerships for the Olympics, NASCAR, the NBA, ATP Tennis, Golf, and the NFL at consumer product giant General Mills.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Website: www.DigitalandSavvy.com
Book: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance by Maha Abouelenein

Most Influential Person

My father

Effect On Emotions

When I feel anxious, upset, worried, or nervous, I take a deep breath and slow down.
I always take a deep breath and keep that moment to myself, reminding myself that everything's going to be okay. And you know what? It usually will be okay.

Thoughts On Breathing

Deepak Chopra introduced me to breath work a couple of years ago. I spent a lot of time with him, and he always talks about activating your vagus nerve. He taught me to practice inhaling and exhaling one side of your nose and then the other.
I believe that just doing that right now can completely change our demeanor.

Bullying Story

Growing up as an Egyptian brown girl in Minnesota, surrounded by blonde hair and blue eyes, I stood out as the only diverse student in my school. Throughout elementary and most of high school, I was different from my classmates.
Back then, without the Internet, many people didn't understand my Arab and Egyptian background. I was often called names like “camel jockey” or “towel head,” and when the song “Walk Like an Egyptian” came out, kids would mimic the dance at me. I faced a lot of bullying because of my ethnicity.
Nowadays, people embrace and celebrate my Egyptian culture, but back then, it was a source of pain.
I believe that mindfulness could have made a difference, helping people realize the impact of their words and actions on others' feelings. We've learned and unlearned a lot since then, and I think mindfulness plays a crucial role in that evolution.

Suggested Resources

Book: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance; How to Stay Low, Keep Moving, Invest in Yourself, and Own Your Future by Maha Abouelenein
App: Calm

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Offer From Bruce

Atomic Habits For Transformation Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Atomic Habits For Transformation – the topic of today’s episode. I’ve decided to share with you thoughts and ideas from James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits. The subtitle is, An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. This book has been recommended by dozens of guests who have been featured on Mindfulness Mode. Do you find yourself being challenged with unproductive habits? Do you set out to cultivate positive habits that promise to transform your life, only to find them slipping away? In Atomic Habits, James Clear illuminates the profound impact the right habits can have on your life. To truly harness this power, you need to delve into the mechanics of how habits work and how to reshape them. When you read this book, you’ll realize that James deeply understands habits and how they work.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Website: www.MindfulnessMode.com

Atomic Habits, the book, will help you uncover the critical importance of habits and the three mindsets essential for cultivating them. You'll also learn about the formation of habits and the four crucial strategies for altering them. Moreover, you'll find strategies to refine and enhance the habits you've already established continuously. If you read this book, you’ll learn about insights from other psychologists and experts on habit formation, exploring how Clear’s ideas resonate with or differ from theirs.

Law 1 – Make It Obvious

To build and break habits effectively, awareness is crucial. Human minds respond to cues, leading to automatic behaviors. For example, museum curators can identify authentic art due to repeated exposure and subtle cues. Harness this by using habit scorecards, checklists of daily activities categorized as positive, negative, or neutral. This helps identify patterns that aid or hinder progress. By listing and rating your habits, you can understand how your behaviors impact productivity and become more aware of their triggers. This awareness is the first step to making your desired habits obvious and actionable.

Law 2 – Make It Attractive

In his second law, James Clear explains that habits operate on a dopamine-driven feedback loop, where increased dopamine levels enhance the urge to act due to reward anticipation. He suggests using temptation bundling, pairing a desired activity with a necessary one. For example, designate work blocks and reward yourself with a favorite podcast during breaks. Combine this with habit stacking for greater effect: after completing a current habit, follow with a necessary task, then a desired reward. Surround yourself with positive influences to boost motivation. To break bad habits, shift your mindset from “have to” to “get to,” associating difficult habits with positive experiences.

Law 3 – Make It Easy

“The most effective form of learning is practice, not planning.” Repeating a habit solidifies it in your brain, leading to physical changes and increased efficiency. Clear emphasizes that frequency matters more than duration in habit formation. Humans prefer the path of least effort, making environmental shifts crucial. For example, when introducing new software, ease the transition with training and support. The two-minute rule suggests starting new habits with tasks under two minutes, like reading a page daily. To break bad habits, make them impractical; use tools like app blockers to limit distractions. These strategies simplify habit formation and disruption.

Law 4 – Make It Satisfying

You are more likely to repeat a behavior if it is satisfying. Clear explains that humans prioritize immediate rewards over delayed ones. The key to behavior change is that “what is immediately rewarded is repeated; what is immediately punished is avoided.” To make habits stick, you must feel an immediate sense of success. Applying Clear’s laws—making habits obvious, appealing, and effortless—increases your chances of repeating them. For instance, rewarding yourself with a smoothie after exercising links the activity to a positive experience, encouraging repetition. Use a habit tracker to visualize progress and consider an accountability partner to stay motivated and committed.

Summary

In Atomic Habits, James Clear emphasizes the importance of creating identity-driven habits for lasting behavior change. Unlike goal-driven habits, which often lead to temporary actions, identity-driven habits align with your self-image, fostering sustainable change. Clear argues that focusing on who you want to become rather than what you want to achieve ensures continuous improvement. For example, if you study two extra hours daily to ace a test, this goal-driven habit ends once the goal is met. However, by adopting the identity of a dedicated learner, you continuously engage in study habits, leading to overall academic improvement. This shift from finite goals to ongoing identity transformation is key to developing enduring, positive habits.
I hope these highlights from James Clears’ book are helpful for you and inspire you to get the book and read it.

Suggested Resources

Book: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
App: Insight Timer

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Special Offer

Experiencing anxiety and stress? I'm Bruce Langford, a coach and hypnotist. Let me help you overcome your inner critic and regain confidence. Book a Free Coaching Session now to start your journey toward a more fulfilling life. Email bruce@mindfulnessmode.com with ‘Coaching Session' in the subject line. Let's schedule a call to discuss your path to a better life.

Preschool Parenting Secrets; Danielle Lindner Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Danielle Lindner is an author who has released a new book revealing preschool parenting secrets. As a distinguished educator, she is renowned for her innovative contributions to early childhood education and literature. With a Master’s in Teaching and Elementary Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Danielle has over 18 years of experience in both public and private educational institutions. She founded the London Day School®, a leading preschool recognized for its innovation. Danielle's books, such as “Sofia the Snail,” “Arabelle,” and “Rupert,” feature enchanting characters and rhyming narratives that address everyday challenges faced by children. Her stories, inspired by real-life issues, provide valuable social lessons in an entertaining format. Danielle’s holistic approach to education emphasizes academic, social, and emotional development. Her new book is entitled Parent's Pocket Guide to Surviving the Preschool Years: One Challenge at a Time

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Website: www.DanielleLindner.com
Book: Parent's Pocket Guide to Surviving the Preschool Years: One Challenge at a Time by Danielle Lindner

How Did You Get Started?

I always loved writing poetry. I actually did it. For my last three credits in college, I did an independent study on poetry, and I had to write 40 poems. And I just really enjoyed that. But I also really loved kids and working with kids.
When I started having my own kids, you know, they were always afraid of the dark, and I thought about how I could explain to them in a really simple, easy, and fun way that they're safe and that the things they're seeing are not scary.
So I wrote this poem, basically about Sophia, this little snail who's afraid to go into her shell because it's dark in there, so she doesn't want to go to sleep. Then, after I opened my preschool and realized that, wow, there are a lot of kids who are struggling with this, I thought, let me try and self-publish it and get a book and use it as part of a curriculum in our school.

What is Socratic Questioning?

I encourage kids to be divergent thinkers by asking questions without yes or no answers, opening their minds. For example, I might have a brown bag with a rubber band inside during circle time. I’ll ask the kids to suggest uses for the rubber band other than holding things together.
Their creative responses, like making a fishing line, are amazing. I then ask them to explain how they would do that, prompting deeper thinking.
This method helps develop their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. The best innovators think outside the box, so I love fostering this in young kids.

Bullying Story

I believe that bullies are often kids who don't feel good about themselves. Feeling good about yourself includes feeling comfortable in your own skin and being able to self-regulate and calm down.
If more schools practiced mindfulness from an early age through high school, kids would manage their feelings better, and much of the bullying would decrease.
My daughter attended a public high school before switching to a private one, where meditation and mindfulness were required courses. This changed the entire school day and improved conflict resolution skills.
We incorporate mindfulness into our preschool gym program starting at 18 months. Waiting until adulthood to discover mindfulness, as I did in my 40s, is a disservice. It should be part of the curriculum.

Suggested Resources

Book: Parent's Pocket Guide to Surviving the Preschool Years: One Challenge at a Time by Danielle Lindner
App: Headspace

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Learn Mindfulness From Children

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Offer From Bruce

Naked In The Now; Marijke McCandless Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Marijke McCandless, author of the newly released book Naked In The Now, is a playfulness instigator and award-winning writer. She is recognized by prestigious outlets, including Spirituality and Health Magazine, Best Self, and Thrive Global. Through her dynamic online writing practice group, Write Now Mind, and a range of personal growth workshops, she empowers individuals to embrace the present moment with joy and authenticity. Her book, with the subtitle Juicy Practices for Getting Present, invites readers on an inner striptease journey towards self-discovery. With a passion for adventure, especially rock climbing, Marijke encourages others to step out of their comfort zones and live fully.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Website: www.MarijkeMcCandless.com

Most Influential Person

Joel Morwood (author of the book called The Way of Selflessness)

Effect On Emotions

Mindfulness taught me that emotions can be separated into physical sensations and stories. Once I was willing to focus on the physical sensations and allow the story to go away, I could transmute the experience of a very strong emotion into its native, more pure energy.
So, for instance, more anger is actually a form of clarity, but we experience it as anger, and it's an afflicted emotion. So I would say coming back into the body and learning to uncouple the story that I had told.
Like, you know, the typical thing, a racing heart, maybe means I'm scared, or maybe it means I'm excited. So, I'm really uncoupling the physical sensations from the stories.

Thoughts On Breathing

After 30 years of coaching, I now love breathing meditation. It took me a long time to get there. I always slightly controlled my breath. One of the tricks I used to begin uncoupling the technique was secretly matching my breath to my husband's.
I didn't know what the rhythm of my breathing would be, so I had to pay close attention to another person's breath.
Also, I have done this with a pet. It taught me not to be in control of my breath. Then I started doing breathing meditation as if I were that other person. I had to completely follow the breath, and I couldn't be even a tiny bit ahead of it.

Bullying Story

I wasn't bullied myself, but I experienced childhood abuse at a very young age. My journey of healing has been alongside my husband, who was bullied. He often says that mindfulness saved his life.
Bullying can be an isolated incident, a weekly occurrence, or even a daily ordeal. The real challenge lies in how we internalize it—sometimes we take on inappropriate shame or hatred for the bully.
We often replay these painful stories in our minds.
While society must address bullying, it's also crucial for individuals to move beyond the victim identity. Focusing our thoughts and attention away from the negative energy—whether self-hate or hatred for others—can be liberating.
My husband, bullied for years, began to hate others and himself. Mindfulness taught him to sit with his feelings, no matter how difficult, and find peace in the present moment.
This practice helped him recognize that he also experienced love and kindness.
By bringing his attention back to the present, he could accept his past and choose to grow from it rather than remain trapped in a victim identity.

Suggested Resources

Book: There Is Nothing Wrong With You: Going Beyond Self-Hate by Cheri Huber
Book: The Direct Way: Thirty Practices to Evoke Awakening by Adyashanti
Book: The Way of Selflessness: A Practical Guide to Enlightenment Based on the Teachings of the World's Great Mystics by Joel Morwood
Book: The Way of Liberation: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Adyashanti
App: Insight Timer
App: Project Joy by Sheri Huber

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Improve Your Sex Life With Meditation; Dr. Cheryl Fraser

Sex and Consciousness; Heather Shannon

Mindfulness Through Gratitude; Frank Kilpatrick & Rayko

Offer From Bruce

Getting In The Flow; Joel Bouchard Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Joel Bouchard will discuss the topic of getting in the flow with me today. Joel Bouchard is a doctoral student in psychology at Liberty University in Virginia, a multi-instrumentalist record producer, author, painter, Army veteran, business leader, local government official, and host of the philosophy podcast From Nowhere to Nothing. His podcast explores complex themes such as the messy, misapplied, and contradictive nature of tribalism, commitment as a concept through ontological and ethical paradigms, and the life-encompassing yet nuanced concept of work.
Joel’s diverse background includes discussions on shadow from the perspectives of physics, mythology, psychology, and cultural tradition, as well as debates on substantivalism and relationalism in defining locations. His intellectual curiosity extends to examining Donald Hoffman's ideas on reality and consciousness from “The Case Against Reality,” and exploring metaphysical, epistemological, and ontological aspects of consciousness through documentary scenes. Joel also engages in abstract discussions on the ontological impact of the present and delves into the past from both metaphysical and historical perspectives. His multifaceted experiences and deep philosophical inquiries make him a dynamic and insightful voice in contemporary philosophical discourse.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Website: https://jbouchard.podbean.com/

Most Influential Person

My mom

Effect On Emotions

I would say that I've become better at expressing my emotions. My friends refer to me as the robot because I generally tend to be pretty unemotional. And, you know, that's good. It's good to be even-keeled, but it can also be negative if you freeze or shut down when in negative circumstances.
So, the biggest impact for me is that it's helped me express happiness and joy and also to be able to identify with emotions without getting caught up in them without being angry.
I can identify that this is an angry emotion and a justified emotion. Then I can decide how I should act with this information.

Thoughts On Breathing

As someone who's pretty new to meditation, breathing is something that I still struggle with a little bit. They tell you that you're not supposed to breathe loud, but I always find myself breathing loud because I'm using that to focus my attention.
In Zen meditation, this is a subject of controversy. Some Zen masters say you can count your breaths, while others say don't.
So I mix the two. You know, for the first 10, I count the in-breath and the out-breath, one, two, and then for the next 10, I only count the out-breath. So in one in two, then after that, I go to not counting.
But I find myself still breathing very deeply. I think it helps with relaxation and focus. Sometimes, it can steal attention away from the internal focus on what's happening in the mind.

Bullying Story

I believe bullying is a problem rooted in a lack of mindfulness on the bully’s part. I have a story about being mindful from the other side.
During my time in the army, we had an exercise in basic training where we used pugil sticks, like on American Gladiators, to fight each other. The drill sergeant insisted everyone participate, but I didn't volunteer because I didn't want to fight.
At the end, the drill sergeant singled me out to fight the biggest guy, nicknamed the Widowmaker, who was six foot five and 280 pounds.
Though I didn’t want to fight, I had been mindful and observed the fights closely. When it was my turn, I pretended to cower, turned to the side, and ducked down. As he came close, I jammed the end of my stick into his helmet, causing him to fall.
I won the fight. This experience taught me that mindfulness can help you navigate difficult situations, even when facing a bigger, more imposing opponent.

Suggested Resources

Book: The Three Pillars of Zen by Roshi Philip Kapleau
App: Headspace

Related Episodes

An End To Upside Down Thinking; Mark Gober

Emotional Intelligence Insights; Harvey Deutschendorf

Dream and Visualize For Authenticity; Mary Rechkemmer-Meyer

Offer From Bruce

Unlearning Silence; Elaine Lin Hering Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

Elaine Lin Hering is the author of Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully. A facilitator, author, and speaker, Elaine helps organizations and individuals develop communication, collaboration, and conflict management skills. Her global experience spans six continents, and she has facilitated executive education at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Dartmouth, Tufts, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. Formerly the Advanced Training Director for the Harvard Mediation Program and a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, Elaine has worked with diverse groups, from BHP Billiton coal miners to senior leaders at the US Department of Commerce. Her clients include American Express, Chevron, Google, Nike, Novartis, PayPal, Pixar, and the Red Cross. Her upcoming book is set for release by Penguin in 2024.[show-notes-bio]

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info

Website: www.ElaineLinHering.com
[show-notes-contact]

Most Influential Person

Sora Kim (Mindfulness Coach)

[show-notes-influence]

Effect On Emotions

I learned a very expensive lesson at Harvard Law School: Emotions are valid. I did not know this from my family of origin.
Mindfulness is the awareness of how I am feeling. What emotions are coming up? Can I give them names? Can I label them? Can I interact with them?
But any of that action first requires awareness.

[show-notes-emotions]

Thoughts On Breathing

We should breathe regularly. Yeah. And deeply. And intentionally, right, the breathing exercises I've learned from my own therapist have helped me. It's nothing novel; four counts in, four counts out. As a singer, we always talked about breathing from the diaphragm rather than the shallow breath. And that's really similar to mindfulness breathing exercises.
Again, the question to me is, why don't we do this more often, even if we know it is good for us? Even if we have experienced the positive impacts of the habit of breathing right, according to the pace around us.
And that's the opportunity for each of us to choose.

Bullying Story

As a parent, I've had conversations about whether my kindergartener is being bullied or is the bully. Bullying is all about impact, regardless of intention. Take the kid who took a pencil to my son's head; the narrative was he wanted to play but didn't know how to approach safely.
Bullying fascinates me because it's a disconnect between intention and impact. We often focus on our good intentions, saying, "That's not what I meant." But that doesn't absolve the negative impact or damage done to the recipient.
Mindfulness, to me, is aligning good intentions with awareness of their impact on others. Are you receptive to feedback, whether it’s someone saying "I'm hurt" or being silent? How do you reconcile your intentions with the actual impact? This intentionality is deeply interconnected with mindfulness.
[show-notes-breathing]

Suggested Resources

Book: Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully
Book: Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn by Omkari L. Williams and Layla F. Saad
App: The note-taking app on my phone
[show-notes-resources]

Related Episodes

Nourishing Your Truth and Finding Your Voice; Shauna Reiter

Intuition, Spirituality, and Our Inner Voice; Mary Ann Bohrer

Exploring AI-Enhanced Storytelling; Richard Rosser

Offer From Bruce

Seeking relief from stress and anxiety? As a coach and hypnotist, I'm here to help you conquer your inner critic so you can confidently thrive. Email me at bruce@mindfulnessmode.com with 'I Am Determined' for a free coaching session. Let me help you pave the way to a fulfilling life.

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