My Paddleboard Set Up for Photography and Video
Most mornings I head to the Potomac for a morning adventure on my paddle board. I’ve refined my system over the years and have it pretty much down to this for warm weather paddling.
Inflatable Waterman Paddle Board
I bought my inflatable paddle board from Potomac Paddle Sports at the end of their rental season. These are wide and big boards which are great for first-timers, but also for large people and those heading out on rivers and oceans. Inflatables have so many advantages I can’t imagine wanting a fiberglass board. Lightweight, perfect for bouncing off rocks, they break down into a small bundle.
This is a monster board but what you give up in maneuverability you make for in comfort and confidence.
https://www.c4waterman.com/iSup.aspx
Pakpod Waterproof Tripod
Pakpod is recent Kickstarter release. Rugged, lightweight, adjustable and waterproof.
http://www.pakpod.com
Manfrotto 49ARC2 Tripod Head (discontinued)
The Pakpod would be quite frustrating if I couldn’t make micro adjustments and the Manfrotto ballhead allows that. They update their ball heads quite often. Mine is very simple and solid.
https://www.manfrotto.us/products/supports/tripod-heads?p=2
Ribz Pack
What a great invention. Lots of trekkers use these and they are perfect on a boat. Large enough to carry big items and extremely convenient. I carry extra lenses and camera gear, lens cleaners, a windbreaker, my keys and an food bar.
http://www.ribzwear.com
Inflatable Belt Pack
Life vests are required and are usually awkward and restricting. Except for these.
https://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Manual-Inflatable-Jacket-Black/dp/B0032ALK72
Subscribe to Jonathan's podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/jonathan-foust/id455422434?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
Falling
Humiliation
That Book You Gave Me?
Greetings from Jonathan Foust: Intuition and Mindfulness, Conscious Relationships, The Still, Small Voice Within... Fresh Photos and More
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Welcome!
This was a month of travel and adventure.
I spent a week in Paris with friends where we got to watch the record-breaking floods almost swamping the famous bridges on the Seine. Tara arrived later in the week after leading a retreat in London. She gave a talk at the Apollo Theater in the heart of Paris and we met with many of the local MBSR teachers.
Trains to Zurich and Grindewald, Switzerland set us up for eight days of hiking in the high alps. The heavy rains continued, but skies did break occasionally, revealing spectacular vistas and sodden, but fresh spring flowers.
Then we were on to the Netherlands where we led a retreat for 200 folks in central Holland, days filled with silence, warmth, tears and lots of laughter.
I think it rained 18 out of 21 days, but equanimity opens us to find joy in any moment.
Here's to a great summer ahead.
Upcoming Events
July 6:
YLM8 Evening Session Learn More
July 11:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Guest Teacher Learn More
July 18:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
July 25:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
July 30:
Conscious Relationships: Daylong Retreat with Tara Brach Learn More
August 1:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
August 7:
The Still, Small Voice Within: Meditation, Focusing and Intuition Training at Kripalu Center (5 days) Learn More
Intuition and Mindfulness
When people tell me their relationship is ending I can't help but ask, "When did you know it wasn't going to work?"
Quite often I hear this: "I knew in the beginning."
How can this be? What overrides our inner sense of knowing?
Your inner voice often speaks in a whisper, not as a shout. To hear this still, small voice within you need to quiet the mind and the forces of doubt and judgement.
Meditation can help. Over time you develop your capacity to observe without judgement and you begin to see more intimately into the internal mechanisms that shut off your intuition.
In addition to quieting the mind, it's helpful to formulate questions that call the voice of intuition forward.
The mind responds to questions, whether we like it or not.
As Tony Robbins says, 'We ask ourselves questions all the time and the question is usually, "Why does this crap always happen to me?'"
Fortunately, we have some control over these questions.
What are you most excited about in your life?
What do you love?
What is calling your forward?
In August (the best time to be in the Berkshires), I'll be leading a five-day retreat dedicated to calming the mind and turning attention to the questions most important to you.
Follow this link for more information and to register for The Still Small Voice Within: Meditation, Focusing and Intuition Training.
Fresh Photos
A few visual highlights:
The banks of the Seine were dramatically challenged with record-setting rains.
We stayed in the Marais arrondissement, the old Jewish ghetto and home to LBTQ communities and progressive happenings. Heading back to our apartment one day, we stumbled into a street carnival celebrating diversity.
In Switzerland we slogged through mud and mist and enjoyed the contrast to Paris. The pipe and water trough in this image are made of wood.
Grindewald, Switzerland. At the base of a glacier.
At the top of Jungfrau, the set of numerous James Bond movies, the highest point in Europe. We blew off the touristy stuff and hiked two hours out on the glacier to the Mönchsjoch hut. We were so giddy we overlooked the fact we had no sunblock and both got badly burned.
Waiting for hobbits in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. 27 waterfalls line this valley. When the clouds clear, base jumpers and paragliders leap off the edges.
Tara hiking on Schynige Platte with a storm sweeping in.
Mürren, Switzerland, right at the base of the high peaks.
Trams and cog railroads get you up the highest elevations. In this case we hiked up and caught a tram back. Looking down on Mürren.
Tara and I led a retreat in central Holland. The kindest, most sincere people imaginable.
Upon returning back home I got a lovely escort down to the river from the locals.
Geek Alert: As an experiment I did all photography on my iPhone 6s+ and mostly used an 18mm lens from Moment lenses. Except for time-lapse images, which were shot with the native iOS app, I did all stills and video with the ProCamera app at a 16:9 aspect ratio and in their highest allowable resolution, an uncompressed TIFF setting. In many cases, I used the native HDR setting. Post-processing was done on the iPhone with Snapseed and the native iOS app.
Video: 1 Bag and 21 Days in Europe: Jonathan's Packing List
I put together this short video showing everything I packed for 21 days on the road in preparation for semi-formal city explorations, trekking through rain, mud and snow in the Alps and leading a meditation retreat. All in one slightly-than smaller-carryon. (PS: It worked!) Watch the Video and Check Out the Packing List.
Conscious Relationships
Years ago I told the resident guru I wanted to go to a long, intensive retreat that promised all kinds of spiritual insights and skills. He listened and responded: "You can go into a cave and learn all kinds of techniques and cultivate special powers. But what happens if you leave your cave, someone insults you and you get upset? Perhaps it's also helpful to learn to live in the world and be skillful in your relationships." A good point. I’ve found that I benefit from both times of retreat as well as times of looking closely at how I can bring more wisdom and compassion into how I relate to others. For a few years now Tara and I have been offering retreats on how to use relationships as a vehicle for awakening. Intimacy with others can be the ground for experiencing full aliveness and sacred communion. Yet as so many have experienced, our relationships are also often the source of insecurity, hurt and betrayal. During this daylong workshop we will explore the beliefs and feelings that separate us from each other and the meditative practices that enable us to cultivate genuine bonds of trust, understanding, intimacy and love. You are welcome to come on your own, or with a partner. Our time together will include short dharma talks, silent meditation, mindful movement, reflective inquiry and dyadic exercises. To learn more and to register: Click Here
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So Many Options
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High in the Mountains
Greetings from Jonathan Foust: The Key Elements to Practice, The Still, Small Voice Within... Fresh Photos and More
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iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
You Are Vast, Wide Sky
More Images from the Road
After Paris, on to Zurich and some time in the high Alps. Then on to central Holland to lead a retreat with Tara.
The morning view in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
It rained. And then it rained a little more. The water her is flowing through a hollowed out branch into a hollowed out log.
Cow in profile.
On the glacier on Jungfrau, offering a message to fellow trekkers.
Lauterbrunnen. 27 waterfalls along this valley and base jumpers floating through whenever the clouds broke.
Completing our retreat in central Holland with 200 participants. A love-fest.
The trip was completed with an chance to practice relaxation and equanimity. Both our flights were cancelled from Amsterdam, forcing us to switch to Amtrak from Newark. A direct flight was converted to a 24-hour growth opportunity.
Amtrak sunset ….
iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
So Many Options
Images from the Road
We are on our way to Amsterdam to lead a four-day retreat with a few stops along the way.
First Paris, where I got to engage my brain again with French, stayed with friends and Tara gave a lecture at the Apollo Theater.
We stayed in the Marais Arrondisment... Just down from the Pompidou Center.
Top of D'Orsay
Epic flooding on the Seine.
Apartments
Peak flooding
A surprise march. About 100 mounted soldiers ... followed by a street cleaner.
Another surprise in the Marais. Carnivale!
Seven days of rain.
On to Switzerland for some hiking where we understand there is rain and then a bit more rain with a chance of snow.
iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
High in the Mountains
Greetings from Jonathan Foust: The Key Elements to Practice, The Still, Small Voice Within... Fresh Photos and More
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Welcome!
It's lush here in Northern Virginia. We had rain 20 out of the last 24 days. It's an interesting visual experience. Given the incessant rainfall and cool weather, I've been exploring variations of grey, brown and green. No matter what's out there, even if it looks a lot like the day before, I strive to stay alert to the details and to expect the unexpected. I've enjoyed some pleasant surprises. Canada geese have for some reason this year decided to collectively raise their goslings, resulting in groups of twenty or so little puffballs. Pulling up behind a rock with the river just at flood stage to catch my breath, I came within inches of the largest Copperhead I've ever seen. The wood thrush are back and this morning about thirty cormorants flew upriver just a few feet above the surface - and me. May you be surprised with unexpected pleasures.
Upcoming Events
June 6:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
June 8:
YLM8 Evening Session Learn More
June 11:
YLM8 Half-Day Retreat Learn More
June 13:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
June 16:
Three-Day Meditation in the Netherlands Learn More
June 20:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
June 27:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
The Key Elements to Practice
I was immersed in yoga way before it hit the mainstream.
I once told someone I was really into yoga and he responded, "Huh? You mean yogurt?"
These days if you tell someone you like yoga, many folks will ask you what kind. The range of styles is quite staggering.
This morning at the post office I was chatting with someone who told me they did meditation.
"What kind?" I asked.
He looked at me a bit befuddled and said, "You know, meditation!"
Zen teachers have been known to use phrases like "Meditate like your hair is on fire!" and "Die on the cushion!"
Some Tibetan and non-dual teachers have been known to say, "Happiness is only available through deep relaxation and letting go. It's your search that's screwing things up. Let go and relax! It's already here!"
How do we integrate these views?
As Ram Das said, "All traditions are fingers pointing at the moon." Though unique, they point to the same goal.
I find meditation practice summed up nicely in three elements: Focus, Flow and Let Go. There are schools and traditions that cultivate each of these disciplines, but they work together.
* Focus: A willful practice of arriving again and again in the here and now.
* Flow: The arising of the witness - your capacity to observe without judgment.
* Let Go: Your capacity to simply rest in awareness itself.
In our recent Spring Retreat I offered a talk called "The Key Elements of Practice". It explores these factors as well as your capacity to investigate what is present in a way that can open you to new possibilities.
Fresh Photos
This was month of heavy rain, clouds and a river in flood stage. This was also month of babies and new life.
Geese on the move before another front moves in.
A rare sunset with color.
Socialized childcare.
Molting Copperhead. I didn't see it until I almost touched it.
Everyone needs a little yoga.
Conn's Meadow with a rainbow.
Happy for No Reason: A Dog and Her Fish
An eight second meditation on tuning into to joy. Featuring K.D. (which stands for Kute Dog.)
The Still, Small Voice Within: Meditation, Focusing and Intuition Training
August 7-12 (Five nights)
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
Kripalu Center is a spectacular environment for immersing in natural beauty and health and wellness as well as being surrounded by like-minded people. If you are drawn to five days in August in the Berkshire Mountains to explore the relationship between mindfulness and intuition, this is one of my favorite retreats to lead.
You'll return home not only enlivened, but with a set of skills that can dramatically help you in your journey.
Click the Pic to Learn More.
Spacious Awareness and the Immeasurable Heart
You might enjoy this meditation I led at the IMCW Spring Retreat. This practice is intended to help you sense the infinite space of awareness as well as the immeasurable qualities of the heart. You'll be guided through an 'open focus' meditation, sensing space inside and outside your body. You'll then contemplate four qualities of the heart that are beyond measure: Your capacity for kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. To listen: http://jonathanfoust.com/spacious-awareness-and-the-immeasurable-heart Note: If you feel disoriented during this meditation, you might open your eyes or stop the meditation until you feel more grounded.
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Mindfulness Strategies for When You are Really Really Busy
Embrace this Night
Forgive and Remember: Befriending an Enemy
Goslings
Copperhead
Transforming Through Your Transitions
Greetings from Jonathan Foust: 500,000 downloads, The Still, Small Voice Within... Fresh Photos and More
Insight Timer
Insight Timer is a great little app that can not only help you time your sits, but also provides guided experiences and helps you network with other people around the planet by joining special interest groups. One cool feature allows you to look at a map and see how many people around the planet are signed in and meditating with you. Insight Timer now offers guided meditations. I've just uploaded a few and will be adding more soon. insighttimer.com
To receive a monthly newsletter,
please signup here.
iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
Like this Breath
Embrace this Night
Goslings
Copperhead
Greetings from Jonathan Foust: 500,000 downloads, The Still, Small Voice Within... Fresh Photos and More
To receive a monthly newsletter,
please signup here.
Welcome!
I am entertaining the illusion that I have a personal relationship with some Bald Eagles.
I visit with them most every morning I get out on the river, either a pair who hang together or a younger one who just this year graduated to the white plumage.
They humor me. I think.
After our pre-sunrise visit I work my way further upriver then cross over to the east so I can float by an island just as the sun is rising. This way I can drift by the shoreline saturated with morning light and recently, Canada Geese nests every 50 feet.
The river is churning with life right now: baby geese, baby mergansers, blue herons, egrets, river snakes, otters and the constant traffic of birds up and down the waterway.
Above this scene of constant movement the eagles sit and watch. As beautiful as this is, it's clear why they are there.
Breakfast! Lunch! Dinner! Snacks!
This is the flow of things... We eat and are being eaten.
I wish you well in the flow of your life.
Upcoming Events
May 2:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
May 6:
IMCW Spring Retreat (7 days) Learn More
May 9:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Guest Teacher Learn More
May 16:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
May 18:
YLM8 Evening Session Learn More
May 21:
IMCW Meditation Mentor Training Learn More
May 23:
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Learn More
May 30:
NO CLASS / Memorial Day
500,000 downloads
My good friend Shobhan Richard Faulds once said that his personal mission was to "practice deeply and share freely." I immediately took those words to heart.
Monday night at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington is the perfect expression of that phrase.
We offer the Monday night class and podcast freely so no one is ever denied access to the teachings.
We're just passing 500,000 downloads of my talks and meditations through iTunes. I'm gratified to know they have been helpful for some and I'm equally grateful for the donations and support that help me continue to offer them.
Thank you.
Some recent talks you might enjoy:
I just completed a eight week series on "The Path." Here's the final installment:
The Path: Skillful Concentration
What happens when you develop your capacity to concentrate.
Last week's talk: "Beyond Sickness, Old Age and Death."
How embracing the Heavenly Messengers can dramatically transform your life. (And a few mildly offensive jokes.)
Fresh Photos
This was a cool month which refrigerated many of the early flowers and held back the usual Spring explosion here. Chlorophyll is starting to have it's way, finally.
The month began with early Blue Bells filling the flood plain.
Usually the Flox come in after the Bluebells depart, but with the cool weather they appeared simultaneously.
Geese begin to pair off.
Standing guard over the nest.
The long vigil.
A view upriver at first light.
Close your eyes and you'll be eaten.
Life! Pollen!
Five Breaths: April on the River
Here's a short video/slide show guiding you through five slow breaths and featuring some images from the river this month.
The Still, Small Voice Within: Meditation, Focusing and Intuition Training
August 7 -10 (Five nights)
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
I am fascinated by the relationship between mindfulness and intuition and have offered a variation of this program for the last fifteen years or so.
Consider this retreat if you'd like to take a deep dive into developing both mindfulness and your capacity to "see clearly' as well as techniques that help you access what I consider to be the most reliable form of intuition: the 'felt sense' of your body.
Albert Einstein said, "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."
To climb out of any rut, resolve problems, or sense your path from a new perspective, you must shift your awareness. This retreat is designed to immerse you in practices that generate such a shift.
Vipassana (insight meditation) teaches you to pause and recognize what is present, allowing you to see with increasing clarity into the nature of things.
Focusing trains the mind to investigate what arises from the field of direct sensation, offering access to wisdom and compassion. Combined, these two techniques generate a unique in-depth experience of awakened heart and mind.
Through practice, talks, presentations, exercises, and discussion, you dive into self-inquiry and develop skills for the rest of your life.
Note: This retreat is intensive and may preclude other activities. Much of the retreat is held in social silence.
Click the Pic to Learn More.
Latest from the Blog
Beyond Sickness, Old Age and Death
Just How Small is One Moment?
The Path: Skillful Concentration
And Sometimes You Leap
The Inquiry Intensive on April 30th
The Path: Skillfull Awareness
Waking
The Path: Skillful Effort
Greetings from Jonathan Foust: More on the Path, The Question That Can Change Your Life, Fresh Photos and More
Johns Hopkins study on Psilocybin and Long-Term Meditators
My good friends at Johns Hopkins are still accepting applications for this amazing study on the effect of psilocybin and long term meditators.
Please check out Roland Griffiths, the lead on this study, in this TedMed talk.
If you're interested and qualify, I highly recommend you explore this possibility. I continue to be touched and inspired by both the intellectual rigor as well as the deep compassion of this team.
To learn more and to apply for this study:
Long-Term Meditator Study
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iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
