"Just Like Me" Talk & Guided Practice
 

"Every human being has everyday life experiences that we share common ground with one another, even if it's not an exact empathetic match to our own. Nonetheless, we are often being prompted to focus more upon our differences instead of what unites us as fellow imperfect human beings with stress-filled lives, who are also trying to get through the day – the week – the month – year.

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"This practice re-minds us how similar other people are to us, thereby cultivating a sense of inclusion and equality, as well as fostering other powerful, so-called "soft skills" like kindness, compassion, patience and non-reactivity, so vital when we are in stress inducing situations or interactions where we may at least temporarily forget our shared humanity."

Letting Go: Self-Awareness Exercise: Taking Stock/Personal Inventory

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"... when we finally take complete ownership for our impact, we must also muster the humility, courage and ethical fortitude to acknowledge we have to let go of these self-sabotaging behaviors in order to embrace a transparent and authentic life of integrity in both our personal and professional lives. We need to be radically self-honest about what we need to eliminate so we can create the room for new awareness and knowledge to take hold and expressed through our accompanying thoughts, choices and actions. There's no skipping steps in the process. "

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"The Empty Rice Bowl" Talk & Guided Practice

 

"We can become so full of ourselves with our own knowledge, ideas and opinions and so trapped by old mental patterns and conditioning that we've filled ourselves up to the brim and nothing else can get in. Mindfulness practice allows us to see that much of the mental conditioning and belief systems we've been taught, and how they keep us from seeing new possibilities and ways of being and doing. The state of beginner's mind that was first taught by Zen Buddhist teacher Suzuki Roshi in his book Zen Mind Beginner's Mind is what is often referred to as bringing an empty rice bowl to our practice."

The “Wabi-Sabi” Self Acceptance Practice

 

"A few years ago I put together this meditation for all of us imperfect human beings, which I call the 'Wabi-Sabi' Self-Acceptance Practice.

"For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, Wabi-Sabi comes from Japanese Zen philosophies borne in the 15th Century. A Wabi-Sabi aesthetic and approach toward life values and nurtures authenticity above all else and acknowledges three simple realities: impermanence, the profound beauty of continual process and change, and the embrace of perfect imperfection."

"Playing Big and Playing Small"

 

"Playing Big is about living a life of mindful, eyes wide open, accountable choice, always aware that none of us is certain how much time we have on this planet, and that every moment, every thought, every communication, every action matters in terms of our own personal evolution in the time we're given in this life. There is full acceptance that there is no certainty we will have another incarnation, another chance to "get it right." Playing Big in Life as a mindful human being is one of present moment conscious accountability and choice - where mistakes are readily owned up to and corrections made simply as a code of honorable behavior, as there is no room for egoic defense when fully embracing the path of integrity and honor toward ourselves, our fellow human beings, and the planet we all share."

"Owning Your Impact"

 

"As we grow in conscious awareness, we see that there is really no doing it half-way … and that gives us the ability to enthusiastically embrace our inner work with a spirit of adventure and a sense of realization that doing so is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our fellow human beings.

"I invite you to reflect upon the thoughts, choices, actions and behaviors that impact you and others, both beneficially – and not so much. My only request is that you be radically self-honest and equally caring toward yourself."

The Raisin “Mindful Eating” Practice

 

"The relationship we have with food is a reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves. Take a moment and think about this statement, as I know it's pretty bold. Let’s look at some of the reasons why this is. If you eat when distracted, under stress and without total presence, you are not fully honoring your body, mind and emotional well-being –and it can actually be unsafe to yourself and others.  

 

"If you find yourself eating for comfort when you are stressed, and then beat yourself up afterward, all this negative self talk is committing violence against yourself- a constant internal battle which creates more stress.  mindfulness empowers us to become more self-aware and thereby make wiser, more informed choices – and be able to regain a sense of self-control and balance. We must first acknowledge our habits, accept we are human and can grow and improve without trying to be 'perfect' as that is a toxic, impossible quest. We can see our old habits within the light of new, mindful alternatives, and know that anything of lasting value is worthy of being earned by a commitment to honor ourselves on a day-to-day basis. "

The Mango Tree & the Bamboo Tree: A Simple Lesson in Humility

 

"A facet of the Diamond Ethos, humility gives us the power to honestly acknowledge and own our mistakes and limitations, be open to new ideas, to cultivate patience and gratitude, and allows us to maintain a realistic perspective of our place in the larger world as no more important or less important than anyone else."
 

from The Integrity Habit: Embodying TrustWorthiness in Your Personal and Professional Life