Intention: curiosity and lightheartedness. Lightening up is, ironically, sometimes one of the hardest things for me to do. I spend a lot of my life in a relatively serious mode of inquiry; being honest and open often means to me “baring my vulnerable parts,” which is inherently a little scary. Not to mention, my vulnerable … More Travels, Day 9: Mandalay Day Trips
Intention: presence. Presence. This word to me sounds amorphous and, frankly, a little annoying. How many times have I heard presence touted as the Modus Operandi of all those questing toward “mindful living?” How many times have I rolled my eyes at someone telling me that learning to be Here, Now, will be the key … More Travels, Day 8: Mandalay Monasterys
Intention: calm, reflection. Taking pauses in daily life is often a challenge for me. Pausing feels unproductive; an opportunity for my brain chatter to kick in full force. Sometimes, it feels in the moment that it escalates my anxiety, rather than quelling it! However, pausing is often the only tool that allows me to move … More Travels, Day 7: Bagan to Mandalay
Intention: wellness for both mind and body. From tummy, to feet, to sinuses, to our thoughts! All parts of our body and spirit deserve care and R&R; I’d go so far as to say we have an obligation to carve out time to experience deep and soul-nurturing pleasure. Traveling is admittedly hard on a body … More Travels, Day 6: Bagan
Intention: openness. Openness. To me, this implies peeling off many layers of reactivity and past conditioning, and inviting whatever experiences life may confront me with. I am reminded of a quotation I read recently by Geneen Roth: “Feelings are in the body, reactions are in the head; a reaction is the mental deduction of a … More Travels, Day 4: Yangon Pagodas
The Generosity Chronicles 