Kind Mind

The lotus flower grows in murky ponds which is a metaphor for making life beautiful regardless of the circumstances. And its leaf sits on top of the water but does not get wet. I was amazed when I took a lotus leaf and dunked it in water and watched all the drops roll right off like little balls of mercury. So it grows in that water but is unaffected by it. This episode explores the deeper meaning...

Beautiful people are not always good, but good people are always beautiful. This claim is supported by a recent social psychology study in which three groups of subjects were asked to rate the attractiveness of the same faces of strangers. Group 1 was given negative descriptors about the people they were looking at - like mean, cruel, etc. Group 2 was told nothing. Group 3 received positive descri...

Mindfulness involves paying attention to aspects of the present moment with openness, curiosity and flexibility. Mindfulness practices have been shown in clinical trials to reduce pain by an average of 57% and even much more in many cases. This podcast episode explores the significance of pain, how mindfulness helps and what to practice. Learn more at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com

Surveys reveal that audiences cannot tell the difference between musical compositions written by humans and those by artificial intelligence and often rate the AI compositions as more "inspiring" and "soulful." However, there are some timeless principles for how to appreciate beauty, such as those elucidated by the heavily Buddhist-influenced yet culturally endangered Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sa...

Death is the great mystery surrounding existence, and the nature of belief about the beyond forms the core of each religious philosophy. But imagine if we could replay the unfolding of the universe and the emergence of life on this planet never included a physical death in the equation - would there have even been religion? It seems the ephemeral aspect of the human body is what ultimately creates...

Many people may think of stoicism as putting on a strong face during adversity and forcing oneself to endure without complaining.  But stoicism is also a system of philosophy with a set of mindful principles that were carefully studied and practiced by big thinkers of ancient Greece. When a seeker deeply contemplates and scientifically experiments with these precepts, the inner resources to p...

We use the word "awesome" very loosely in conventional speech - typically to describe someone, something or a situation that's agreeable or favorable in any way. But the genuine feeling or experience of awe is rarer, much deeper and less understood when compared with other emotions. However, emerging research, such as that conducted by psychologists Keltner and Haidt, is helping to unravel this my...

The spinning wheel can be dizzying, but, in the center, there is stillness. Similarly, the formidable waves are only found on the surface of the ocean, not when one dives deep. Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise or disturbance but to find calmness within the heart despite outer circumstances. This episode unwraps some ancient contemplative texts, including passages from t...

Beyond the clouds, the sky is always clear. Similarly, most diamonds have flaws known as cloud inclusions, which reduce the clarity of the otherwise precious crystal and limit its brilliance or shine. A diamond is the most concentrated form of pure carbon on Earth, and the flaws are often hard to detect with the naked eye. The human mind also has subtle clouds that obstruct mental clarity. In psyc...

It flies and heals. People try to make it, buy it, save it and kill it. Yet, there is never enough of it, and it might not be real. It is T I M E. Many cultures personify and deify Time. Kronos is the father of Zeus in Greek mythology and therefore older than god. Hindus may worship Mahakala or the lord of time. In America, we have the expression, “Father Time is undefeated.” Even if only imaginat...

Trees care for each other in very special ways. They have family relationships. Sometimes, the offspring of a felled tree will continue to keep the parental stump alive with its roots, even for centuries. There are bonds beyond family as well. For instance, Fir trees and Birch trees take turns supporting the other in winter and summer. Nutrients and information are shared underground via root syst...

Centenarians are the fastest growing age segment of the human population. This episode explores the secrets of longevity around the world in places like Okinawa, Japan. It also highlights some of the findings of the longevity project in the United States and the case studies of centenarians by Dr. Mario Martinez. (Music by E. Fink and Chris Russell) More info at http://www.michaeltoddfink.com

"What is a good man but a bad man's teacher. What is a bad man but a good man's job."  -Lao Tzu The first day of winter is known as the solstice and is the shortest day of the year.  But it also indicates the return of the light and each day from that moment will be longer until the first day of summer.   This episode explores the problem with the notion of absolute good and evil wi...

Humility is often defined as meekness and refers to having a modest opinion of one's importance and yet, it is practiced as a virtue in spiritual traditions around the world as a way to manage the ego and part of a path to self-actualization and transcendence. Now, we have new scientific evidence and research from Duke University that shows how being intellectually humble actually expands one's in...

This episode explores the basic brain science behind attraction, new research into the functions of hormones, and some meditative insight that will hopefully shed a little light on the great mystery of love. (Music and editing by E. Fink, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records) Read more in Elephant Journal: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/02/the-chemicals-between-us-what-hormones-can-teach-us-abo...

Is silence really silent? Ordinarily, we have minimal access to and even avoid silence until it's time to retire for sleep. This episode explores the deeper significance of silence as evidenced in the work of two legendary musician philosophers of the 20th century - one trained in Western Classical music and the other in Eastern Classical music. (Music "Through The Prism" courtesy of and written b...

A mirror neuron is a brain cell that fires both when someone acts and when he or she observes the same action performed by another.  So, the neuron "mirrors" the behavior of the other, as though the observer were acting.  That may be why we get a dream like feeling looking at a Monet painting.  Perhaps, we can actually experience in our brains, to some extent, the inspiration of the...

Intention reconnects us with purpose and authenticity. Yes it can help us get better results out of the most meaningful areas of our life but the real blessing is being able to live our values even when others don't. And that is true self-empowerment. (Music by E. Fink, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records)

Gratitude has been called the mother of all virtues and the key that unlocks all doors. This episode explores the etymology of "thank you" and the modern science of the grateful brain. Specific gratitude practices are shared that are scientifically proven to grow key regions of the brain, increase life satisfaction and enhance overall well-being. (Music "Mindful Zone" by Chris Russell) Learn more...

What we are speaks louder than what we say. This episode explores the legend of Buddha transforming Mara's arrows into flowers and how we can cultivate that power in modern life with the acronym PETALS.  Each letter stands for a mindfulness-based strategy for resolving interpersonal conflicts: Posture | Energy | Timing | Assertiveness | Language | Space   There are many social pressures...

This episode explores the basic brain science behind habits and routines and how to utilize those scientific insights, along with techniques from wisdom traditions, to experience more fulfillment.  “You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life.”  -Walt Whitman

Psychological resilience typically refers to the ability to regain emotional balance and stability after encountering stressful or traumatic events.  This talk explores how emotional maturity, positive attitude, and creativity influence this life skill.   Also included are recent studies and scientific evidence that expand our conventional understanding of resilience and demonstrate...