spirituality – Rebel Bush Doctor

Mindfulness: Kill Your Thoughts or Let Them Pass?

Two illustrated human heads facing each other against a cosmic background, with the head at left nearly empty and the one at right filled with a nebula of activity.

From the point of view of mindfulness, the logic is not to care about any of the interesting changes and experiences that come as a result of practicing in this way, because the underlying goal is to be more and more equanimous with changes. So it’s not to grasp at what’s pleasant or interesting andContinue reading “Mindfulness: Kill Your Thoughts or Let Them Pass?”

Exteroception vs Interoception: Getting Out of Your Head

A cup of tea pinning down a napkin that reads "mind full or mindful" on a table

Most people have an interoceptive bias—they’re focused more on what’s going on internally [mentally] than on what’s happening externally. I think that this is an issue because we hear so often about the need to do a meditation practice that allows us to focus inward and that we’re getting yanked around by all the stressorsContinue reading “Exteroception vs Interoception: Getting Out of Your Head”

Mindfulness of… Cleaning?

A woman cleaning the induction cooktop next to her kitchen sink

Mindfulness is always mindfulness of something… We can cook our breakfast mindfully and continue to produce the energy of mindfulness, concentration and insight. We do not have to go to a temple, to a meditation center in order to generate these three kinds of energies. You don’t have to set aside time to practice mindfulness—youContinue reading “Mindfulness of… Cleaning?”

Identity, the Self and Finding Your Higher Purpose

Too many things nowadays are outsourced—you are outsourcing maybe your happiness to outside circumstances. Once you spend time with yourself, investigating, the inside (Self) comes. Shi Heng Yi Some people go their entire lives without satisfying their fulfilling, true purpose. While they may reach contentment, it may be they have become complacent, and settled forContinue reading “Identity, the Self and Finding Your Higher Purpose”

Movement and (Mental) Longevity – Cognitive and Emotional

I’ve talked a lot of the benefits or stillness (both physical and mental) in the past. However, being sedentary for too long has detrimental effects.
On the flip side, movement can also be used to benefit the mind, like improving mood, memory, and attention.

The Keys to Life for Improved Mood, Creativity and Cognition

Closeup on a woman's chest with a hand over her heart, indicating self-acceptance

I discussed in a recent post how social interaction or close companionship and engaging in a pastime that brings you joy and allows an outlet for frustration can greatly improve mental wellbeing and immune function when stress, anxiety, depression or social phobia set in. While who and what you interact with – and to what degreeContinue reading “The Keys to Life for Improved Mood, Creativity and Cognition”

Emphasizing the Extremities in Practice, Breathing

Most times, the Dantian, (the body’s energy/gravity center) is the predominent area of breathing emphasis in most Tai Chi and Qigong exercises, including silk-reeling, the principle movement in Chen-style Tai Chi, among many others. Though heavily-centered on the Dantian (forgive the pun), my staple practices (Hun Yuan and Wudang Qigong and Tai Chi) all containContinue reading “Emphasizing the Extremities in Practice, Breathing”

Eating as a Tool for Self-Cultivation

“Lately, I’ve been rethinking my relationship with food.” A Friend Over the last several years, I’d devoted a good deal of consideration to food. As I lost balance in my life, more and more of the thoughts and impulses occupying my mind space would revolve around eating. I’m extremely fortunate that these concerns are entirelyContinue reading “Eating as a Tool for Self-Cultivation”

Alcohol, Other Attachments, and Acceptance

A man in a dress shirt and time sitting at a dinner table shelters himself from the glass and bottle of scotch in front of him that is shackled to his wrist

“As soon as I had the realization that sitting down and cracking an ice cold beer when I got home was all I was looking forward to after work each day, I knew I had to make a change.” Alan Heffelfeffer, Owner of Oak Park Records This statement, made by fellow music nerd and confidant,Continue reading “Alcohol, Other Attachments, and Acceptance”

Stillness: The Key to Success

For the sake of examining both sides of the coin, this post is meant to be complimentary to one I published previously, advocating for action-taking. Here I am championing non-action and introspection. Both have their place in the life of a balanced, centered individual. The key is to be a go-getter, but also pick andContinue reading “Stillness: The Key to Success”