It’s always exciting to stumble upon movements that are encouraging people to self-care. Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters are doing just that. Creators of “The Outdoor Journal Tour,” they are responsible for a nationwide movement that focuses on helping women develop a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them through mindfulness and meditation.

Hiking on a brisk winter morning  in the American southwest desert.  Topping a ridge we see a line of low trees about half mile away – we investigate.  We first hear a gurgle of water and as we near a small seasonal flow, then see the gently flowing water, at times spilling through a riffle of stones, at other times forming small eddies with golden leaves floating in gentle circles, sometimes moving slightly and losing a few leaves downstream while capturing others in its new spiraling location. Dappled light, water gurgling over a lichen and moss covered log, the smell of recently dry vegetation, now musty with the new moisture.  A large flat igneous rock just above the stream, still cold from the recent near freezing dawn, offers a fine venue for immersing oneself in these wonders.

New York Times Best Selling Author Anita Moorjani and Grammy Award winning Producer Barry Goldstein have created the NDE Meditation to facilitate healing as you are cradled in the loving embrace of the divinely orchestrated music.

The Portland Insight Meditation Community (PIMC) is an experiment in American Buddhism. They welcome people of all faiths, orientations, genders, abilities, ages, and racial/cultural backgrounds. The purpose of PIMC is to improve the lives of participants, their families and the greater community through meditative practice and a lifestyle that supports liberation from suffering, the awakening of wisdom, and the manifestation of compassion. (more…)

At Go Zafu, we’re very excited to be working with our new partner, Meryl Arnett. Meryl is the host of the popular podcast, The Mindful Minute. The Mindful Minute is a wonderful meditation resource that helps us face our every day entanglements with a focus that can build resiliency.

What it means to “be present” is a bit esoteric but certainly knowable. During meditation, the idea of “being present” refers to having a focus that allows you full awareness of your surroundings without the distractions to take you away. Being present is about being in the moment and letting go, at least temporarily, of the worries and wonders that often occupy your mind.

During this time of social isolation, moms (and dads!) are spending a lot of time discovering new and creative ways to facilitate their children’s education while also creating space for fun and entertainment. It’s not easy!

Meditation makes you happier

People who meditate are often happier than people who do not practice meditation. It is known to create the opportunity of positive thinking and emotions, so even just a few minutes of meditating can make a difference in your day and general outlook on life.

These tips can help you get started with meditation and commit to continuing in the short term and the long term. Don’t feel like you need to utilize each of these tips at once, but revisit them as you continue to practice meditation and mindfulness.

There are several ways to go about outdoor meditation, whether sitting, standing, laying or walking. If sitting is what you prefer, a proper cushion is needed to sustain your good posture, wherever you choose to sit.