Meditation Mindfulness Spirituality
MINDFULNESS:
Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside ourselves. — Bessel van der Kolk
Defined as simply paying attention, mindfulness is part of your toolkit that can improve cognitive resiliency and prevent dementia. Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn is a scientist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work in discovering Telomerase, the enzyme involved in chromosomal division that portents our biological age. The more Telomerase, the potential for greater cellular division and health. The less there is, the more fragile cells become, creating more susceptibility to stress and disease. After receiving the Nobel Prize, she went on to study mindfulness and how Telomerase is increased when we practice mindfulness.
Mindful Resources:
Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn’s TED Talk The science of why cells never get old
Center for Mindbody Medicine, “Self-care isn’t complementary or alternative- it’s fundamental for good health.”—James Gordon MD
Krista Tippett's interview with Bessel Van der Kolk, psychiatrist, and expert in the study of trauma. His book, Body Keeps the Score, is an in-depth exploration of the effect of trauma on the Brain-Body connection.
MEDITATION:
Meditation has been shown to benefit brain-body health in many ways including reducing cortisol by interrupting our flight and flight response, reducing stress in our daily lives, slowing our overactive minds, and improving our emotional and cognitive resiliency.
Apps: Headspace, Insight Meditation, 10 % Happier. These are great tools for beginning and sustaining a practice of meditation.
SPIRITUALITY
He who can look at the loveliness of the world and share its sorrow, and realize something of the wonder of both, is in immediate contact with divine things. — Oscar Wilde
Spirituality Resources:
VULNERABILITY
Being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure. —Bob Marley
Vulnerability Resources:
1. Sarah Kay uses spoken word poetry to unlock our defenses and arrive in the land of vulnerability where we are all connected to one another.
2. Brene Brown studies our ability to empathize, belong, and love. In a humorous talk she explains her quest in understanding humanity,
