Your Mindful Life

Today we are getting to know awe—what it is, how we experience it, and what good it does us. I hope you enjoy the show and I hope that you’ll download the episode, share it with your friends, and review it on Apple podcasts.  Just after the new calendar year began my friend and colleague Chris emailed me. She asked, “What’s your word for this year?” “My word?” I thought and quickly replied with th...

Have you ever been surprised when hatred has reared its head in you in the heat of the moment? When it arises how do you care for it? Have you ever been on the receiving end of hate? How did you respond? Today our topic is hatred, how it poisons us, how mindfulness can free us from its clutches, and how we can apply compassion in its stead.  Hatred abounds in the world today. Perhaps there always...

What does it mean to you to be wise? Are you consumed with yourself or do you let go? When you are compassionate, what does it feel like? Are you expecting something in return, even if it is just that feel good feeling? Today we’re exploring the two wings of mindfulness — wisdom or clear-seeing and compassion. Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, mindfulness needs both wisdom and compassion. Wis...

In today’s podcast we begin again at the beginning, remembering and reviewing the four foundations of mindfulness. These give us stability and strength but they are not things. They are processes. Simply they are mindfulness of the body, of feeling tone, of mind, and of mind phenomena/objects. They build on one another and enrich one another; their practice leads us to wisdom and love. Just being...

How does it feel when everything feels like an affront and you can’t shake the tendency to “want to get even?”  Or, how does it feel when you respond with generosity even when your day is not going the way you’d like? Today we’re exploring how our mind states affect our actions and our well-being. We distinguish between two general categories of mind-states—those that promote health and well-being...

How does it feel when adversity strikes from out of nowhere? What do you do then? Hello! Today we’re exploring what happens when the arrow of misfortune or adversity strikes and how we react or not to it. I hope you enjoy the show and I hope that you’ll download the episode and share it with your friends. You may also be moved to become a member of the podcast via Patreon by clicking here . We sta...

Have you ever noticed how when your mind starts comparing yourself to others, the wind leaves your sails? Today we’re delving into the comparing mind and its usual hyper-critical focus on all the ways we don’t measure up and how mindfulness helps us to step out of the endless cycle of negative comparison. Whether you are new or a regular listener, I hope that you find the podcast meaningful and wi...

When conflict arises how does it feel inside? Do emotions erupt? Do you run away or run headlong into it? Hello and welcome everyone. My name is Mary Slocum and today’s podcast is about working with conflict. Whether you are a new or regular listener, I hope you find the podcast meaningful and will be moved to support it. Subscribe or follow where you listen; download the episodes; share it with y...

When things don’t turn out as you expect, how is this for you? How comfortable do you feel with change? Today on the podcast we are exploring uncertainty and how through mindfulness we can feel more comfortable with change, especially change that is unexpected. Whether you are new or a regular listener, I hope that you find the podcast meaningful and will be moved to support it. Subscribe or follo...

Does bias ever pop up and suddenly you are asking yourself, “Why did I say that?” “Why did I do that?” Today on the podcast we are exploring bias and how mindfulness can help us become aware of automatic bias responses and give us the space and time to change the ones that don’t serve us. Whether you are new or a regular listener, I hope that you find the podcast meaningful and will be moved to su...

Do you ever find yourself saying, “Yes,” when you mean “No?” Do you ever worry that if you say “No” that you will hurt someone’s feelings or will be judged by others? Today on the podcast we are talking about how to feel comfortable saying “No.” If you find something meaningful in the podcast and feel moved to support it, you can do this in three ways: (1) by following or subscribing to the podcas...

What do you think about when you think about boundaries? Do you think they restrict you or hem you in? That they are helpful? Or, are you unsure? Today the topic is boundaries, what they do for us, and how we can nurture them so that we can navigate our worlds with comfort and integrity. First though… Maybe this is your first time listening or perhaps you are a regular. If something here inspires...

Do you ever have a hard time listening? Do you easily get distracted? When someone is talking are you busy thinking what you will say in reply? Today on the podcast, we’re exploring listening—listening deeply. First though, an invitation to support the podcast. Maybe this is your first time listening or perhaps you are a regular. Either way, if the podcast inspires you or helps you to live a happi...

Today in Episode 36 of the podcast, we’re exploring Letting go. Letting go can be hard to do even when we know we’re not in control of an outcome. And sometimes, it is the hardest when we are doing a compassionate act—when we are purposely trying to alleviate unease, distress, or suffering. To show how clinging and letting go work in relationship to Compassion, I tell my own story, and how mindful...

When someone wrongs or hurts you in some way, how does it feel inside?  When you wrong or hurt someone, how does it feel? And, how does it feel to forgive another? Or, ask for forgiveness?  In this week’s episode we are diving into forgiveness. In our Western culture people who forgive are often seen as soft and weak. I’ve grown to understand and appreciate that people who forgive are brave, stron...

First, a question… Do you you feel moved to support the podcast?  I hope you do and  I hope you will by clicking here to go over to Patreon.com to become a member. As a member you not only support the show but also receive member-only content created especially for you. Become a member today. Hello everyone. Today we’re exploring desire or wanting. There are different kinds of wanting. Some are mo...

Hello everyone! Do you you feel moved to support the podcast? I hope you do and  I hope you will by clicking here to go over to Patreon.com to become a member. As a member you not only support the show but also receive member-only content created especially for you. Become a member today. And, announcing a new online mindfulness meditation class starting October 12th. Are you wanting to practice m...

Are you curious? Are you looking for a group to meditate with, to share with, and to deepen your practice with? Join the 10-class meditation class starting October 12th. Sign up here .  You’re here and I’m grateful. Do you you feel moved to support the podcast? I hope you do and I hope you will by clicking here to go over to Patreon and becoming a member. As a member you not only keep the podcast...

How do you respond when someone asks you, “What are your core values?” Does it feel too big and complex a question? Do you begin to stutter? Or perhaps race through a long list of descriptors? Or, maybe you have a one word answer ready to go? Or maybe something else. Welcome to this week's episode.  We’re delving into the subject of core vales. What’s a useful way to approach them? And, how d...

When conflict arises and is there right in front of you, what happens?  How do you feel? What do you do? Today, we’re talking about conflict and how to be with it. How to not push it away or jump into the middle of it but how to approach and enter it mindfully with equanimity and lovingkindness. First, though, an invitation. Do you you feel moved to support the podcast? I hope you do and I hope yo...

Have you noticed? There’s no advertising on the podcast. If you are moved to support the show become a member here via Patreon. Your membership helps us to keep going with podcast and also gives you access to member-only content—musings on mindfulness, audio talks and guided meditations. So, go on over, check it out, and become a member today. Do you ever find yourself worrying  "Am I better...

Something is here right now that I would like to share. You might have noticed that “Your Mindful Life” is not supported by advertising. Rather than accept advertising, we offer memberships to keep the podcast rolling forward, producing, and online.   If you are moved to support the podcast, become a member today by clicking here . Your support is important and as a thank you, you will receive mem...

Maybe you’re thinking, “I want to live more mindfully but I am going through a lot right now. My plate is full. I don’t have time or space now so maybe later on when things are better.” Or perhaps you feel like this, “My family needs me right now; I don’t have time for meditation.” Or maybe you feel you can’t do anything that is new, scary, or unknown.  Today we’re exploring how to begin living mi...

How does it feel when you meet someone and what comes immediately to you is, “I don’t like this person.”  Are you then able to listen to this person and hear what they have to say? When your mind is made up about someone or something, do you feel everything is black and white, and it can’t be any other way? Hello everyone and welcome, my name is Mary Slocum. Today we’re talking about letting go of...

Have you ever felt justified in holding on to anger? Or felt that you can’t shake it? Or, maybe you’ve  been unaware of anger smoldering inside but notice that you are constantly feeling irritated and dissatisfied with everything? Hello everyone and welcome, my name is Mary Slocum. Today we’re diving into the emotion of anger and what may lie beneath it. First, though, if you are moved to support...