Mastering Mindfulness® is a proprietary E-Learning platform available for licensing to companies and organizations. The curriculum includes mentoring insights, mindfulness moments and guided meditations presented in unique and innovative formats designed to effectively integrate the practice of mindfulness into organizational cultures. All intellectual property rights to this material are specifically reserved. The following introductory media appears as a courtesy to SoCalGas.
Introduction
If we cannot regulate our emotions in the moment―responses to stress and anxiety, triggers to fear sourced in the past, unreasonable expectations and attachments to future outcomes―then all the psychology, philosophy and conceptualized behavioral theory in the world are out the window.
On the other hand, if we are mindful enough to maintain a steadfast mental and emotional presence, moment to moment, there are oceans of wisdom available to us. Indeed, this is one of the most powerful somatic truths of mastering mindfulness.
“Still yourself. Listen. Breathe.”
Take a deep breath. Match your inhale to your exhale. Repeat this deep, measured breathing and focus your attention on it. Notice the air moving. Touch your thumbs and fingertips together; wiggle your toes. Observe yourself in relation to the space around you. Just be present with yourself . . . in this moment. Let go of all resistance, expectation and judgment. Simply allow yourself to experience the here and now.
Unity Consciousness
Based on a growing body of evidence, the scientific community has begun embracing the ancient idea of a unified energy field linking all of creation in an ethereal bond, an innate consciousness. This is commonly referred to as String Theory, Unified Field Theory, Unity Consciousness, and the Quantum Hologram. Luminaries in the field of science such as Elisabet Sahtouris, John Hagelin, Gregg Braden and Nassim Haramein, among others, have published works and spoken extensively on the subject. In his book, ‘A Brief History of Time,’ Stephen Hawking called this phenomenon the mind of God.
The theory of unity consciousness is akin to the ancient eastern philosophy of prana, upon which tai chi, yoga and meditation are all based, and from which the practice of mindfulness evolved. Consciousness is considered a non-local constant of the universe, a shared sentience which we individuate through the senses. Yet we have more control over this process than we realize, the essence of which is the discipline of focused breathing.
So the core of mastering mindfulness is simple: deep measured breathing, matching inhales to exhales. Nonetheless, as with all disciplines, becoming deft at this requires repetition.
“Practice the three deep breaths: one for the mind, one for the body, one for the spirit.”
Visit the three deep breaths as a mindful reset, a way to bring yourself into the present and own your state of mind. Remember that in the context of mastering mindfulness, the spirit means unity consciousness, your connection to the living breathing universe.
In this brief video, which is an E-Learning tool designed to bring you and/or your team together in the present, we visit this concept in an inspiring mindfulness moment.
Somatic Truth
The unease we experience with focusing our breathing, the difficulties, distractions, worries and concerns that the mind stubbornly clings to and the difficulty in surrendering such ruminations―the challenges which we must overcome in order to genuinely be present in the moment―is a process known as somatic truth.
It is relevant to note that the practices of tai chi, yoga and especially meditation, which is where mindfulness originated, help us to develop the facility of focused breathing in ways that carry over into day to day life. In order to manifest our somatic truth, we utilize the three mindfulness questions:
- How Am I Breathing?
- Am I Connecting Or Separating?
- Have I Owned My State of Mind?
In this way, we explore and discover more about ourselves and the boundaries that define our individual somatic truth. These are the inward challenges we must meet in order to bring mindfulness to our external worlds.
In this brief video, which is an E-Learning tool designed to shed insight on the value of focused breathing, we visit somatic truth in a mentoring insight.
The Motivation Equation
Love and fear are elemental forces we are born with and experience throughout life. Behavioral philosophies and psychological theories, particularly child psychology, consider love and fear as our primary emotions with all other emotions being secondary. Physiologically, love and fear are tied to our survival instinct and the release of the stress (fear) hormones adrenaline and cortisol, and their anti-stress (love) hormonal counterpart, oxytocin. On a mental, emotional and physical basis, love connects us—within ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us—while fear separates us.
“Am I connecting or separating?”
Consequently, love and fear are also the primal factors of motivation. Love is the fundamental impetus for connecting to our world so that we develop and thrive, while fear compels separation as a means of protection for ourselves and our loved ones. Comprehending this innate relationship of love and fear as the motivational foundation of human behavior offers a tangible context for resolving conflict and inspiring transformation, both individually and collectively.
Mastering mindfulness parlays the dynamics of connecting or separating, and contemplates the basic equations of love and fear:
- Fear + Fear Escalates Fear
- Love + Fear Diffuses Fear
This brief video presentation illustrates how the motivation equation functions in our everyday lives, and reminds us that our perspective—and our influence on the perspectives of others can be altered by mindfully choosing compassion and empathy.
In The Moment
Much of the stress and anxiety we experience is directly related to our preoccupation with rehashing the past or rehearsing for the future. The ability to pay attention to our immediate experience, to truly be present in the moment, invites a pure awareness that diffuses the habituation of negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors—the things that hold us back.
In this brief mentoring insight we visit how practicing mindfulness leverages the problematic relationship of the past and future, propelling us forward along our life path.
The practice of mindfulness, of owning our state of mind, can only be achieved in the here and now, as we notice and experience—beyond preconception or judgment—ourselves and the world around us. We invite a deeper sense of dignity and nobility to occur in our lives, an empowerment of insight and meaning, a transcendence rooted in the physiology of focused breathing and the connection of mind, body and spirit.
We gain valuable perspective on why proper nutrition, exercise and quality of sleep are critical to our ability to be fully present. In our growing state of self-awareness, we begin identifying and eliminating obstacles to the effective practice of mindfulness.
Finally, the somatic truth we reckon for ourselves, the sanctity we create along our mindful pathway, involves seeking inspiration. This can occur in myriad ways but it is incumbent upon us to choose it; indeed, we must decide, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, how we wish to connect with our world.
In this mindfulness moment, we visit the inspiration of quiet communion.
Guided Meditation
Welcome to this guided meditation from our Mastering Mindfulness® E-Learning curriculum. By bridging chasms and passing through gates in the meditative state, you discover a wellspring of power and inspiration within yourself. Along this imaginal plane of gentle suggestions and subtle soundscapes, a deeper connective pathway is encountered and explored, reminding you of the natural healing properties and qualities all around you.
Focused breathing and progressive relaxation invites your deeper conscious awareness. Welcome and allow images to form naturally and remember there is no certain way this is supposed to happen; only what is right for you will occur. Do not worry if your mind wanders, as you will know when to return to my voice in an easy and effortless way.
Mastering Mindfulness®
A proprietary E-Learning platform.
All registered marks and copyrights reserved.
Written, produced and narrated by Shawn Quinlivan, C.Ht. and Cathexis Therapeutic Imagery. All intellectual property rights reserved.
Music
“Troposphere” courtesy of Purple Planet Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Soundbites (edited)
“Resonance of the Gods”
https://freesound.org/people/anankalisto/sounds/139050/
“Singing Bowl Chiron”
https://freesound.org/people/the_very_Real_Horst/sounds/268140/
All soundbites licensed via Creative Commons Attribution https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode