The Aware Mind

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss why we criticize ourselves and why we rather keep this habit instead of being compassionate towards ourselves. Could it be that on a deep level we do not want to give up our self-judgemental thoughts because we believe they are what in fact is keeping us from experiencing something bad in our lives? Sarah and Jacob also cover the many reasons wh...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss the ins and outs of internal conflict. Find out what typical internal conflicts look like and healthy ways to address them. Is your internal conflict about opposing needs or trying to be your true self? And is your internal conflict rooted in shame or past trauma? Jacob stresses about getting errands done, finding time for his self-care and spen...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss the possible hypothetical outcomes of Donald Trump learning the practice of mindfulness. Would he lie less? Would he treat women better? Would he still have run for president? How would a mindfulness practice change the thinking of someone like Donald Trump? Sarah also shares some revealing research about people with narcissistic traits practici...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah explains how we can become more mindful and aware of how much space and closeness we need in our romantic relationships and how to gain understanding of how those needs came into being.  Sarah shares Esther Perel's views on what it means to have boundaries in a relationship and how to be more mindful when we are making assumptions. Jacob and Sarah discuss ho...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah outlines five categories that make up a well-rounded mindfulness person. How well do you use language to describe your feelings and thoughts? How well do you move into mental neutrality? How well do you observe your physical surroundings? And how well do you pause before you react?  Take the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire at this link http://www.awakemind....

Send a text In this episode, Sarah challenges Jacob's knowledge of Buddhism by testing him with questions most of us don't know the answers to. You might be surprised to learn that reincarnation is not technically associated with Buddhism. And have you ever wondered if the original Buddha was a vegetarian? And have you ever thought about when Buddhist teachers are asked, "Do you bel...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss the proven benefits of both psychedelics and mindfulness for treating depression. You have heard a million times that psychedelics rewire your brain but what exactly does that mean? Sarah shares exactly how Ayahuasca affects our neurology and your mental health.  Learn the strikingly similar psychological effects mindfulness and psychedelics sha...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss the evolutionary reasons for anger and the underlying issues anger presents in modern-day relationships. Sarah explains a process called C.A.R.E. which couples can use the deescalate anger and create a safe space to work out conflict. The tool includes Checking in, Awareness, Reflection and Empathy/Validation. Validating each other's primar...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah shares some of the concepts Jon Kabat Zinn details in his Master Class. Even better, Sarah and Jacob provide commentary on his various mindfulness topics, including non-judgment, healing versus curing,  and acceptance.   Did you know the mindfulness definition of acceptance is not resigning to our experience, it is much more than that. Listen to find out. Also le...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah offers a variety of arguments against teaching mindfulness in the workplace. Some of these fears include employees having an existential crisis during their workday, or better yet, attaining enlightenment on the job. Jacob and Sarah manage to deliver the academic report between bouts of laughter. But seriously, mindfulness does offer a range of benefits in the wo...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob give their candid opinions about the misinformation and misconceptions journalists, social media influencers, and trained mental health professionals are spreading about mindfulness. Learn the correct meaning of the term mindfulness. Sarah and Jacob also point out the vagueness of the term "non-judgmental attention" and break down exactly what...

Send a text In this episode, recorded with a live audience, Sarah shares the research about the effects of watching graphic news coverage, including bystander video. She also explains the degree to which a 14-minute reel of news can affect your anxiety, level of sadness and catastrophic thinking. And Sarah and Jacob explain what drives us to watch the news in the first place. Whether you are a new...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah explains what someone typically experiences as a result of trauma, including anxiety, attention issues, difficulty with emotions and more. She shares information on the most popular ways people heal from trauma, including EMDR, therapy, yoga and of course mindfulness. Jacob shares his own personal experiences with these modalities. Sarah and Jacob both discuss in...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah explains how to develop your mindfulness skills during your sitting practice, specifically how to take a step back from your own thinking. Moving from being absorbed and engaged in your thinking to being a third-person observer of your thinking is one of the most important skills a mindfulness meditator can develop. If you follow this seven-step process for notic...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah explains our natural tendency to make mental shortcuts. We do this to save time and effort. Experts name twenty-four different ways we do this that all lead to irrational thinking and bad decisions. For example, if someone is listening to another person speaking or they are watching the news, they are more likely to process the information that is already in alig...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah shares how a little self-validation can go a long way when it comes to reducing stress. What if the next time you found yourself in a stressful situation, you paused to validate your stress response? "It's understandable that I am feeling stressed, there is a chance I am going to be late for my meeting." Jacob shares an emotional rating system he a...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah explains the practice of mindful eating. Paying attention to our sensations when we eat, as well, as our thought and emotions around food can have a significant impact on the quality of our diet, our health and our mental health. Sarah leads Jacob through a mindful eating exercise, during which Jacob is surprised by how mindfulness transforms his eating experienc...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah describes the seven TSD Unique Stress Types. She also explains which types of mindfulness exercise best support each of these stress types. Sarah diagnoses Jacob with "The Concerned" stress type and helps him see how his choice in mindfulness practices are both helping and hindering his ability to feel calm and relaxed. Sarah and Jacob also discuss peop...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore why pain changes our brain chemistry and heightens our emotions, and why this makes our pain worse. Sarah shares mindfulness techniques and self-compassion strategies that can reduce your pain experiences. Additionally, Jacob explains how his personal training clients reduce their pain with mindful breathing. And Sarah addresses and remedies the...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore why mindfulness, mental neutrality and humility support us to experience more flow in our lives.  Sarah admits she finds it difficult to move into humility personally and gives Jacob a test to see how much humility he practices. Sarah challenges our drive to be above average and redefines what makes us worthy.  Being in a flow experience does no...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore the question,  "Is enlightenment an isolated experience or a permanent state?" Sarah details her brief enlightenment experiences and argues that a mindfulness practice supports mental health more than "enlightenment" experiences.  Jacob details his personal quest to become more enlightened and how his insights from his practi...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore the questions,  "Are fear and worry the same?" "Are they different?" "Do they have a relationship?" "Can we decrease fear and worry with mindfulness?" Sarah explains how to identify the three components of our fear/worry cycles. Additionally, Sarah analyzes Jacob's fears of flying and snakes and share...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore the question "What if I sat and did nothing for a period of time, would I gain the same physical and mental health benefits if I were practicing mindfulness instead?" Sarah shares research about the differences in brain activity when we are sitting and resting versus when we are meditating. Experts claim the quality of our mental healt...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore research about the connections between procrastination and health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and lowered immunity.  Sarah also shares four driving forces behind our procrastination habits--optimism, fear, doubt and trauma.  Sarah shares strategies for becoming mindful of the cycles these driving forces cause and their c...

Send a text In this episode, Sarah and Jacob explore the differences between concentration and mindfulness, and what is important about each of these skills individually and jointly.  Sarah also shares some theories as to why we become distracted by our thinking during meditation that could transform your meditation practice. If you follow the strategies shared you could find yourself easily disco...