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Is time speeding up?

This season seems to have taken on the characteristics of the dragon flies and hummingbirds. It’s whizzing by. Almost a blur.

The antidote seems to be embracing ‘the pause’. Slowing down the breath, opening the senses and remembering this is all changing seem to increase my capacity for ecstatic appreciation.

By the way, an interview I did with Tami Simon, the founder of Sounds True just came out.

It was an honor to be interviewed by her for her podcast, "Insights at the Edge," on the topic "The Issue Are in Your Tissues".

You can listen to it here.

May your summer be filled with joy and new discoveries!

How to Cultivate Determination and Resolve

I recently asked a friend this question:

"Was there a time when you really wanted something and gave yourself to it fully only to realize it wasn’t what you really wanted?"

He paused for about one second and responded, “The first forty years of my life?”

As part of a series on the "Ten Perfections," I recently talked about the eighth topic in the series: How to Cultivate Determination and Resolve

The keys:

1. Know What You Really Want

You might be really good at climbing ladders. It’s important, though, to make sure the ladder is on the right wall. What do you really really want?

2. Set Your Course

What are the best practices that will move you toward your goal? Who would be a role model for you? What kind of support would you need?

3. Develop Grit

Studies suggest that beyond social intelligence, good looks and IQ there is factor that makes all the difference: Grit.

Grit is your capacity to stay the course. The good news is that you can learn how to develop grit.

4. Stay Open and Adjust as Needed

It’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking that moving toward a goal is a never-ending grind, when it fact it’s a balance of focus and deep rest and renewal.

If you lift weights and don’t provide enough recovery time, you won’t develop fully.

Where is the balance point between dynamic, focused activity and rejuvenating rest?

If you don’t pause and ask if what you are doing today is aligned with where you want to be down the road, you may find yourself living life as if you are in a pinball machine - caught in endless reactivity.

When you pause, reflect on what you really want, set the course, stay the course and savor the journey, life can open to new possibilities.

Podcast | Youtube

The IMCW Fall Vipassana Meditation Retreat: October 13 - 20, 2017

Do you Need a Time Out?

Imagine a week with no email and media, no speaking, no eye contact and training your heart and mind to be fully present in the here and now.

As the saying goes, “The more you’ve got going on in your life, the more you need to be on retreat.” In my opinion, there’s no better investment of time and fortune than stepping back and pausing in a formal meditation retreat.

I’ll be joined by a wonderful teaching team: La Sarmiento, Pat Coffey and Sebene Selassie. Jess Frey will be leading twice-daily Kripalu-style yoga to support your sitting and walking practice.

You’re supported in your practice with wholesome food from the farm, visits with the goats and chickens and walks in the Maryland woods west of Baltimore.

You’ll also have a few interviews with a teacher over the course of the week to help you stay present to your practice and your deepest intention.

For more information and to register.

Fresh Photos From This Month

June was a photogenic month with almost 2,000 images and video clips in the last thirty days. After a lot of branch-hopping, in the beginning of June the young eagle finally took flight. The image here reminds me of when I was 14 and miserable. Young deer before dawn for a river-side drink. The local heron rookery makes for a lot of action on the river. Up close and personal. Moving through the morning mist. Sushi. Wheres Waldo? Not dead yet. My annual birthday post proving I am still here. On the Colorado River.