Few things in life are more frustrating than lying awake at night, unable to sleep. Dragging yourself out of bed after a long night of tossing and turning can be demoralizing, to say the least, and nights like this can leave you exhausted.

If you've been spending the night staring at your ceiling instead of snoozing, one potential remedy could be meditation.

But how does it work?

We turned to two meditation specialists, Dr. Darshan Mehta, Medical Director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, and Andy Puddicombe, CEO of the meditation app Headspace, for their insight.

"Top-line, [meditation] is a way of looking after and caring for the mind," says Puddicombe. It isn't about turning off your thoughts entirely, but observing the thoughts you have. You don't have to achieve any particular state of mind to be meditating correctly.

"Our job is to show up and witness the mind as it is, knowing that what we are looking for is already here," says Puddicombe, "not that we need to try and somehow intellectually create that idea of peace in our mind."

Keep in mind that there are lots of different ways to meditate and one doesn't necessarily trump the others.

"Culturally speaking, it has origins in many, many different religious and spiritual traditions around the world," says Mehta. Popular forms of meditation include mindfulness or calming meditation, insight meditation or Vipassana meditation, and transcendental meditation. Mindfulness meditation is intended to create a quieter, more peaceful mind while insight meditation aims to develop particular qualities like wisdom or compassion. Transcendental meditation is a popular branch of meditation founded on the techniques of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

"Weve learned many of these practices do have health benefits associated with them from improving symptoms of anxiety and depression to reducing blood pressure and having better control of other metabolic parameters," Mehta says of the scientifically proven side effects of meditation.

Science has yet to pinpoint which types of meditation can help with which specific issues patients are facing, but Mehta believes this knowledge will be the next frontier in clinical meditation studies.

"In the next five years, we should be able to 'prescribe' the form or type of meditation that might be best served for that individual, for that symptom," he explains.

When we feel stressed, our bodies go into a physiological response called "fight or flight." In this state of hypervigilance, the body makes you stay awake because it fears danger. If you can release stress in your life and practice a calm mind, you'll find yourself falling asleep much easier.

"A lot of people I know get very anxious and fearful around sleep," says Puddicombe. "All that thinking does is make us feel more stressed and less likely to go to sleep."

Both experts agree meditation can help with sleep, but maybe not in the way you'd imagine it's not like turning on some quiet music or white noise before you tuck yourself in.

"Most people assume mindfulness meditation will be done immediately before sleep," says Puddicombe. In actuality, he notes, "Most of the mindfulness research gets people to meditate first thing in the morning."

Meditation benefits our ability to sleep by setting up a calmer mind, decreasing the stress response, regulating circadian rhythms and allowing us to approach sleep differently.

While traditional meditation should help, Mehta also recommends yoga nidra, or yoga for sleep, as a popular form of meditation for people who struggle to get rest at night.

"It is a series of practices that permit sleep," Mehta explains of the guided practice. "Most of it is intentional relaxation of the muscle groups and ultimately finding a space of equanimity."

Unlike other meditative practices, Mehta advises it's best to practice yoga nidra when you're trying to go to bed: "The best way to describe it is a body scan. You are sort of scanning different parts of the body, but you are really going into intentional relaxation from one point of the body to another."

Early research suggests yoga nidra can help to reduce one's feelings of stress and anxiety and that it may help improve the quality of sleep in those suffering from insomnia.

The Headspace app also has an entire channel dedicated to sleep that includes guided meditation exercises and more immediate sleep aids like calming music.

Long story short, all of the health benefits you receive from meditation will play into your body's ability to get a better night of rest.

"Start small," says Puddicombe, "Its more about frequency than it is duration."

Puddicombe recommends meditating for 10 minutes a day to receive the maximum benefits from the activity, although he says it's best to work your way up to that amount of time. If you are new to meditation, even 3 to 5 minutes a day will make a difference.

In the beginning, Puddicombe suggests connecting meditation to something you do every day.

"Let's say you shower every morning or you have a cup of coffee every morning, tie it to one of those things," says Puddicombe. "Once you tie meditation to it, you are more likely to remember to do it."

Mehta also recommends asking for professional advice if you're having trouble getting started.

"The biggest reason people come to see us is for sleep," he says. "Having some guidance is important and then it can be self-sustainable. You need to talk to your health care provider about this, having open conversations."

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Forget the melatonin meditation might be the trick to sleeping better - Yahoo News

Ever considered sleep meditation? Bedtime can be nothing short of a nightmare if you have little ones who just don't want to go to sleep, no matter how tired you know they are. Or maybe you have kids who sleep well, but could benefit from a little mindfulness and help to develop healthy sleep habits. Either way, research suggests that children and adults, alike, could benefit from a little downtime before bed in order to aid sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

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So, why meditation? Well, researchers suggest that meditation can help decrease heart rate and slow breathing, which is really important for helping children unwind after a long day at school, extra-curricular clubs or whatever else they have been up to.

After all, it makes complete sense that we need a little time to still our minds before we can even think about the benefits of a good night's sleep.

And if you don't know where to get started with kids' sleep meditation, no need to fear. Headspace offer specialised programmes targeted at helping kids unwind and enjoy the benefits of meditation, with options for children aged five and under, six to eight, and nine to 12.

Once you've connected your account to your smart speaker, simply say 'Alexa, open Headspace' and enjoy some quality time with your kids learning how to unwind and become more mindful. Who knows, you may even reap some of the benefits yourself...

For more advice, read our guide to how to sleep well.

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Try this kids' sleep meditation if your little one is struggling to wind down - Real Homes

As you start your days off ready to take on the world, remember that every athlete knows that rest is part of performance and even Olympians take a break.

Although you want to tackle everything at lightning speed, its important to take calculated breaks as part of this approach, before this approach starts to tackle you.

Although it seems paradoxical, unstoppable leaders know that stopping at tactical moments is a massive part of the success equation. They include rest, restoration and celebration as part of that equation.

This is not about steeling yourself until you can get to a holiday. Daily rest and recharging is a lifestyle, and just a few minutes of being mindful and present can make a world of difference. Studies show that just ten minutes of mindfulness meditation can reduce anxiety, improve your memory, and offer a plethora of other benefits.

Start a habit to unplug from the digital world and plug into your conscious thinking. I know that might sound terrifying or impossible but stay with me for a moment. Unplug to observe what you are thinking. Are you in the past or the future?

So pause, take a breath and focus on the now. Notice what distracts you. And why? Is thinking about the past of the future merely a habit?

Prioritizing making being present a daily practice allows us to become aware of our thoughts and where they come from and if they are beneficial or not. Then, we can change them. Our thoughts inform our decisions and actions, which ultimately determines our success.

Conscious rest during the day can have a dramatic impact on your success and feelings of fulfillment.

Ten minutes of meditation, or anything other than work or caring for your family, may seem like a lot to you. Fair enough. With the onslaught of a thousand things that need your attention, I get it. But daily presence work is an absolute necessity for unstoppable conscious leaders. So heres my challenge for you: Are you willing to practice training your mind to be present for one minute a day to start?

Pick a word you hold sacred and love to meditate on. Set your timer for one minute.

Get comfortable. Start. Close your eyes and meditate on your word.

As Gautama Buddha said, Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

If your mind wanders notice if you are in the past or the future. Then bring yourself back to present by refocusing on your sacred word.

As you relax into this and become more confident you can increase your practice for three minutes. And once you start to notice the benefits, it will become easier to chunk out time and make this an integral part of your lifestyle.

_____________

Looking for more information on how to be mindful and improve your leadership? Work with me directly in The StillPoint Experience.

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This Ten-Minute Habit Will Improve Your Life, According To Science - Thrive Global

LOS ANGELES (HOODLINE) From an album release show to a yoga and meditation practice, theres plenty to enjoy in Los Angeles this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

From the event description:

Lodge Room [and] Desert Daze present The Undercover Dream Lovers Album Release Show with special guests Video Age [and] Scott Gilmore.

When:Friday, Feb. 28, 8-11 p.m. Where:Lodge Room, 104 N. Ave. 56th Admission:$16 $44.5 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

From the event description:

Come out and join us for a night of good vibes, great entertainment and a chance to have a meet [and] greet with Royce Lovett.

When:Friday, Feb. 28, 9 p.m.- Saturday, Feb. 29, 11 p.m. Where:Oeno Vino Underground Winery, 3111 Glendale Blvd. Admission:$20 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

From the event description:

We are pleased to announce the Los Angeles debut of the talented Kyle Kinch. This is going to be an incredible night of groovy house music.

When:Friday, Feb. 28, 9 p.m.- Saturday, Feb. 29, 2 a.m. Where:Madame Siam, 1723 N. Hudson Ave. Admission:Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

From the event description:

Games for Change is hosting a game jam [that] challenges students to create social impact games all in one day!

When:Saturday, Feb. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where:Pio Pico-Koreatown Branch Library, 694 S. Oxford Ave. Admission:Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

From the event description:

Join us for a 45-minute all-levels vinyasa flow yoga class followed by a 30-minute sound bath experience, led by Kelsey Cook [and] Natalie Valle.The physical practice of yoga helps you to bridge the gap between your mind, body [and] spirit, while the synergistic sound meditation techniques used during the sound bath teach you to enter a state of deep meditation, relaxation [and] rejuvenation.

When:Saturday, Feb. 29, 2:30-4 p.m. Where:Hallowed Ground, 114 Washington Blvd., Suite B Admission:$33 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

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Heres What To Do In Los Angeles This Week - CBS Los Angeles

MONT ALTO, Pa. A Buddhist monk will make his annual visit to Penn State Mont Alto to show people how daily life can be a powerful form of meditation.

The Venerable Bhante Sujatha will speak from 10:10 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, to the English 196 class in room 206 of the General Studies Building. From 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m., he will address the Honors 297 class in room 305 of the same building. Both free sessions are open to the public and the entire campus community.

Sujatha has visited Mont Alto every year since 2010 as one of many culturally enriching opportunities offered at Penn State Mont Alto. A native of Sri Lanka, he began the monastic life at age 11. The rigorous training he underwent, he said, taught him how to get along with people anywhere in the world and how it is easier to handle peoples issues and personalities when you can get a grasp on your own.

In 1993, he left Sri Lanka for Brisbane, Australia, where he taught meditation and Buddhism. Four years later, he accepted the invitation of one of his former teachers to join him in the United States. He relocated to the Midwest, where he helped establish the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara in Southfield, Michigan.

The next stop on his lifes journey was Illinois, where he pursued a degree in psychology at McHenry County College and started a meditation class at a Unitarian church in Woodstock, Illinois. There, the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center was established. Sujatha said he believes his job is not only leading meditation, but teaching people how to be happy. He said he aims to show how work can be a spiritual practice, allowing individuals to enjoy whatever they are doing in the moment, instead of worrying about the future or past.

For more information about the spiritual leader of the Blue Lotus Temple, visit bluelotustemple.org/bhante-sujatha.

Last Updated February 25, 2020

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The Venerable Bhante Sujatha will once again be visiting Penn State Mont Alto - Penn State News

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Stress is a modern epidemic 40 per cent of us Brits experience stress and burn-out EVERY day. Could gratitude meditation help? We explain how, along with other tips for combatting burnout.

From workload pressure to juggling family demands, stress-related sickness costs the UK economy more than 5 billion a year

But there are ways to beat our 24/7 culture. Its all about managing our life force, the Qi energy in our body, says Qi Energy practitioner Master Oh.

Stress levels and Qi energy levels are intrinsically linked. With high levels of stress come low levels of Qi energy, and with low levels of energy come higher levels of stress.

Most people think stress is due to external influences, but it really comes from within us, says Oh. It is our inability to manage the thoughts and emotions that are causing our stress levels to soar.

Over time, this lack of energy flow creates chronic pain and fatigue in the body which is essentially burnout, Oh explains. There is no quick fix, however Master Oh has five tips to help encourage positive energy and start the re-energising process.

Gratitude is the emotion with the highest vibration. When we appreciate what we have and feel deep gratitude, our mind is positive and our heart is open.

Try this meditation:

Sit in a comfortable position, either sitting on the floor or in a chair with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

Close your eyes and start by taking in deep breaths, bringing the air down to your abdomen. Feel your abdomen expand with every breath in and contract with every breath out.

Slowly bring your mind to someone or something that you are grateful for. No matter what, there is always something in our life that we can feel grateful for.

Focus on the deep feeling of gratitude, notice how it makes you feel, stay with this feeling. Allow the feeling of gratitude to grow inside you with every breath.

Feel how your heart responds, wanting to give something back. Let this feeling of love permeate your whole body.Try the Master Oh stress test to see who high your levels are.

Youll get a personalised recommendation on more steps to combat stress and re-energise your life.

* According to the Health & Safety Executive.

Living beings have three vital ingredients: mind, body and spirit. If you support your spirit by practising a positive, happy and loving mind, you will feel better. Thats because a positive mind enables your energy system to remain open, so Qi can flow freely, allowing you to better deal with stress.

Introduce a daily form of exercise to oxygenate your body, improve your circulation and bring down your heart rate. This also eleases endorphins which are happy hormones. Dont have much time? Try these 15 minute workouts.

Studies have shown that vitamin C is a highly effective stress buster, so treat yourself to a daily lemon, grapefruit or kiwi. Omega 3 can help with stress because it supports your nervous system. Avocado, linseed and olive oil are good sources.

READ MORE: Whats the difference between good fats and bad fats? The popular diet terms decoded

Use moments alone to reflect on what you need to change in your life. These may be deep patterns or lifestyle choices that are unsustainable. This can seem daunting in the beginning, but by recognising what needs to be changed, you will be putting your health first.

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How to practice gratitude meditation and four other tips to combat stress and burnout - goodtoknow

Gratitude journals are incredibly effective, but theyre not the only way to instill a sense of appreciation to your day. Whether you prefer a different creative outlet or simply find keeping up with a consistent writing exercise more stressful than rewarding, there are other small ways to practice gratitude on a regular basis. Researchers have found that the benefits of a tiny expression of appreciation like writing and delivering a thank you letter can last for an entire month. Gratitude has even been found to lower levels of stress and depression, and improve sleep.

We asked our Thrive community to share the small ways they incorporate gratitude into their daily lives. Which of these will you try today?

Set a gratitude alarm

About four years ago, I was introduced to Shawn Achors TED Talk, The happy secret to better work. His talk inspired me to set a gratitude alarm on my phone for 9:00 pm each night. When it goes off, I recite three things Im grateful for from the past 24 hours. Whoever is around me at the time participates too, and I always find that its really fun when the alarm goes off in large groups.

Blair Kaplan Venables, entrepreneur and marketing professional, Pemberton, B.C., Canada

Send handwritten thank you cards

I write notes each week to express my appreciation to at least three people. I prefer to write them by hand, so I carry thank you cards in my travel bag along with stamps. Its made me a better observer as well.

Sue Hawkes, CEO of YESS!, Minneapolis, MN

End the day with a family bedtime recap

We do a brief recap before bedtime with our kids to appreciate different things and events from our day. Bringing our kids into this practice allows us to connect with their feelings and thoughts, and helps guide them on whats really important.

Giancarlo Molero, happiness innovator, Miami, FL

Visualize the people youre grateful for

There is something special and powerful about keeping a gratitude journal, but I find it hard to maintain. Instead, I lean on the power of visualization to incorporate gratitude into my daily life. The first moment I see my wife and son when I wake up, I smile with gratitude. Before I go to sleep, I do the same. And during the day, whenever I think of them, I use this visual memory to spark my gratitude until the next time I see them. It works every time.

Joe Kwon, executive coach, Oakland, NJ

Start each morning with a tech-free breakfast

Most mornings, my husband and I wake up at sunrise, go for an 8 k.m. walk, and then return home to what we call our candlelight breakfast ritual. We light a candle at our little dining table and sit down to eat breakfast together. During this time, we put our phones aside, set our intentions for the day, and share what were grateful for. We first started this practice during our ongoing fertility struggles, and we have kept at it for two years now. Its a great way to begin the day feeling grounded in gratitude, conscious of the many blessings we have, and supported by one another.

Jodi Sky Rogers, author and fertility support coach, Johannesburg, South Africa

Help someone else

I have incorporated gratitude into my life by helping others, especially on days when I am struggling. In a world that is so busy and sometimes cold, others feel lost in the shuffle, and I have found that asking, How are you? or Can I do anything to help you? can be life-changing. For the recipient, youre acknowledging them, and helping them feel seen. And for myself, I feel a sense of compassion and healing. It helps on the days I need a gratitude boost.

Shelby Sudnick, coordinator at Tribe Relations, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Express appreciation for the little things

Throughout each day, whenever I see people who have said or done something that I appreciate, I make a point to let them know that Im grateful for the specific ways theyve recently made a positive impact on me. Ongoing conversations like these can help start a cycle of gratitude.

Whitney Hopler, communications director, Fairfax, VA

Think of three good things

I started a three good things journal a couple of years ago, and it had such a huge impact on my mental health. I started to sleep better because I was going to bed focused on something positive rather than ruminating on my perceived failures from the day. It also encouraged me to look for more positives and be genuinely grateful for what I have, which impacted my mood and overall happiness.

Sophie Carefull, photographer, Bristol, UK

Shift from I have to to I get to

We often show gratitude for big things but neglect to give thanks for small, daily gifts. I find that one way to incorporate gratitude into your life is to remind yourself that you get to do things, instead of feeling like you have to do them. For example, be grateful you get to drive your kids to school, or make them dinner. When you do the laundry, be grateful that you have clothes to wash, have a washing machine, and feel healthy enough to do your own laundry.

Jill Liberman, author and motivational speaker, Palm Beach, FL

Say hello to strangers

When the day feels especially challenging, I make an effort to smile at strangers on my morning commute. Its my way of acknowledging them without saying anything. Then, when I enter the lobby and see the security sitting at the front desk of the building, I always make a conscious effort of saying good morning to him or her. I think its those simple gestures that allow me to express gratitude for others in the world around me, and they always enhance my day by smiling back or saying hello.

Cecilia Grey, client liaison and content creator, Santa Barbara, CA

Bookend your day with meditation

I do my daily meditations as a bookend to my day. As soon as I open my eyes in the morning, I close them again and meditate on all my blessings. In the evening when I close my eyes, I take the time to reassess the blessings that I received and gave that day. Then, again, I contemplate which blessings I will receive the next day and bring to others. This cycle of acknowledging all the good that surrounds me gives me inspiration and a clear path to what I want to accomplish.

Shahrnaz Nancy Southwick, producer and writer, Los Angeles, CA

Send a gratitude text

Find an accountability partner and text three things youre grateful for every evening. This is a wonderful way to get to know someone better as well!

Arlene Van Oss, community relations, San Castle, Florida

Use your shower time to reflect

For me, gratitude is being able to appreciate every experience: every touch, every word, and every thought that helps to create my lifes mosaic. I usually speak my gratitude messages out loud in the shower. Theres something about water that moves me. The shower water refreshes me. Gratitude helps me appreciate that I can live my dreams and help others do the same.

Gail Hayes, executive leadership coach and author, Mebane, NC

Think about a future gift

Right before my morning meditation, I think of five things Im grateful for, like the fresh blueberries in my morning oatmeal, or feeling thankful for my husband. Then, I list five things Im grateful for that I dont yet have. When I feel grateful for future gifts, it helps raise my vibration so I can attract more good things into my life. I always feel grounded and clear on my days purpose after this daily practice.

Katie Wolf, mindset coach at The Centered Creative, Nashville, TN

Take a moment for self-examination

Ive learned that authentic gratitude requires self-examination. With self-examination comes understanding and self-compassion. This leads to compassion for others wrapped in a spirit of gratefulness for ourselves and our fellow man. We can then look at strangers and send them waves of gratitude because we see them as ourselves, no gratitude gimmicks needed! Just earnestly examine yourself.

Demetria Bridges, voice and film actor, Boston, MA

Say thank you in advance

I like to say thank you before Ive actually received something. While writing an article the other day, I was struggling to find the right words. I stopped, took a deep breath, and thought to myself, Thank you for bringing the right words to me. After taking a break, I came back, and the words flowed through me. This practice reminds me that I always have everything I need whether I can see it yet or not.

Alissa Jablonske, blogger, Orange County, CA

Pause and reframe

I have a trick I use when I encounter something that might inspire annoyance. I repeat the phrase, Stop. Reframe. Gratitude. For example, rather than letting a pair of size-13 shoes absent-mindedly left in a trip-inducing position in a shared household set off a grumpy feeling, I remind myself that those shoes are a welcome sign that someone I love, with giant feet, is here, sharing this home with me, and I am quite happy that we are together messy shoe habits or not.

C.B., retiree, WA

Do you have a go-to exercise for incorporating gratitude into your daily life? Share it with us in the comments!

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How to Bring Gratitude Into Your Everyday Life - Thrive Global

(Chris Baamonde)

Not only ought Gabriel Andrade resist implying there are parallels to be found by Peterson and Hitler, but he also should keep in mind how many lives have been positively changed thanks to his ideas.

In a recent Merion Westarticle, Dr. Gabriel Andrade asserts that Jordan Peterson needs to think harder about the detrimental effects of his Nietzschean/Randian-inspired philosophy and must try harder to disavow some of the tendentious readings that people make of his words. Andrade depicts Ayn Rand as a substandard philosopher and Peterson as an inferior version of Randmore aptly a self help motivational coach, whose ideas resonate with young males and also some of the worst individuals in society, such as members of the alt-right.

Although Andrade wonders what all the hand-wringing surrounding [Peterson] is all about and may prefer the Cliffnotes version of his ideas, many fans view the Canadian psychologist as a modern-day hero. This is something Andrade seems to recognize when he contends that Peterson has seized the mantle as the new right-wing intellectual guru. In doing so, Peterson, according to Andrade, is filling the rights thirty year intellectual vacuum that has been in place since the death of Ayn Rand.

Unlike some of his peers, Andrade is very careful in how he structures his arguments. Although he never directly compares Peterson to Adolf Hitler, his assertions are fraught with innuendo as he leaps from one unsubstantiated claim to another. He points out that Nietzsche was not guilty of the way his philosophy was abused by the Nazis but that he gives credence to the thesis that his ideas did sow the seeds of totalitarianism. Andrade is also concerned that underneath all the talk about responsibility, order, and anti-political correctness, there may be something more sinister going on with Peterson, presumably given the fact that some members of the alt-right and Men Going Their Own Way are counted among Petersons supporters.

Most unfair of all, however, is when Andrade suggests Peterson might be encouraging thinking along the lines of: If you worry so much about being a Superman, then ultimately it is not so hard to conclude that weaklings must simply disappear from the face of the Earth. As such, Andrade engages in the very tactic some commentators, including Conrad Hamilton, have accused Peterson of: suggesting various implications about a writers work, while allowing enough distance to disavow said implications if they are explicitly suggested by readers.

Attempting to invalidate anothers position on the basis of direct or indirect insinuations that there is a comparison to be found with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party makes for an exercise in one of the least excusable of the logical fallacies: Reductio ad Hitlerum. Rachel Maddow, for instance, was one of the mainstream journalists to most notably turn Nazi comparisons into a political strategy. In her effort to equate Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign with the advent of a well organized national fascist party in America, she asserted that fascism was not just a word or a way to insult one with whom you disagree with. Maddow continued, it is a specific thinga specific form of far-right politics that involves a sort of narcissistic cult of superman action around the party.

In contrast, Princeton Professor Gianni Riotta warned in a January, 2016 Atlantic piece that though xenophobic rhetoric, demagoguery, and populist appeals certainly borrow from the fascist playbook, there is no fascism without a rational plan to obliterate democracy via a military coup. Riotta said that the fascists who marched on Rome in 1922 were relentlessly, violently focused on a clear goal: to kill democracy and install a dictatorship, which was clearly not a part of the Trump presidential campaign.

Moreover, the frivolous use of the word fascism, not only belittles past tragedies but also obscured future dangers. Since Maddows prime time codification of the newest iteration of Reductio ad Hitlerum in 2015, it has become a favorite tactic of many on the left. Politicians such asAlexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Beto ORourke, and Tom Steyers willy-nilly Hitler references are a terrible insult to the actual victims of Nazi genocide, yet they have recently been joined by entertainerssuch as Linda Ronstadt. They have done it to Trump, and now they do it to Peterson, the latter of whom evendevoted many of his own lectures to explaining how the evil of Hitler was truly unparalleled.

Not only ought Gabriel Andrade resist implying there are parallels to be found by Peterson and Hitler, but he also should keep in mind how many lives have been positively changed thanks to his ideas. For Andrade, who argues that Peterson, still has time to avoid going down the path of Ayn Rand and that his unchecked views may be promoting a world that few sensible people would want, I would counter that Andrade still has ample time toavoid going down the path of individuals whose negative fixations on Peterson have resulted in substandard scholarship.

Maybe, instead of belaboring a perceived failure of Peterson to disavow certain subsets of his readers, Andrade should disavow the absurd comparisons of thinkers one disagrees with (or disagrees in part with) to Hitler. So, Andrade writes that, many, many contemporary intellectuals who have far more interesting things to say than Peterson. Yet, after reading Andrades tired indulgence of a lazy logical fallacy,I am afraid that I can now say the same about Gabriel Andrade.

There is something Andrade can do to regain the credibility that he has lost in his latest article. It is to give Peterson the respect he deserves as a scholar and refrain from writing articles that reflect the very unhealthy conspiratorial thinking that Andradeclaims to oppose. Otherwise, Andrade risks continuing the collectivist drift of his thinking and accepting his destiny as a contributing author toEveryone I Dont Like Is Hitler: a Childrens Guide to Online Political Discussion.

But Andrade is correct about one thing; Peterson is someone truly resonating with people, and in turn, he is making some people very upset. All things considered, it is not Petersonthe person himselfthat causes many of his detractors to feel such revulsion and anger but, rather, the ideas he promotes, ideas that are a repudiation of the identity politics of the left.

It is not so much the messenger as it is the message. Peterson offers an alternative means of understanding the world for so many, thus diminishing the power of many on the left as a result. I believe that there is a faction within the left that supports a type of authoritarian progressivism as nefarious in all aspects as the kind that Peterson is accused of supporting. The left might not own the means of production, but it greatly controls much of the discourse in cultural institutions, the academic world, and the mass media. Anyone interfering with that process would be attacked similarly.

Free speech is just one of the ideas that Peterson and his detractors disagree on. It is an ironic twist of fate that Peterson is now the preeminent spokesperson for todays Free Speech Movement, which had its origins within the counterculture of the Left. Mario Savio was in many ways the Jordan Peterson of his era. He is considered to have been the voice of the Free Speech Movement, and, at one time, he wasunder investigation by the FBI.

In an address given at Sproul Hall, University of California in 1964, Savio asserted that:

Despite the protestations of those such as Andrade, for many (in the United States and around the world), the idea of the heroic protagonist is intrinsic to our identity. For those of us who strive to uphold the principles of individualism, Peterson is a genuine hero, a paragon of virtue, and a man of great moral courage. We are indebted to Peterson for drawing his line in the sandand doing what needed to be done in his effort to stop the machine. Little wonder that all his detractors have in response are the pettiest of cheap shots.

Tony D. Senatore graduated from Columbia University in 2017, at the age of 55. He is a well-known bassist and musician and can be reached attds2123@columbia.edu.

The artwork for this piece was contributed byChris Baamonde, who can be reached at chrisbaamonde@optonline.net.

Link:

The Travesty of Comparing Jordan Peterson to Hitler - Merion West

RELATED: How to get tickets for Jordan Peterson's 2019 Australian tour

Tammy Peterson (nee Roberts) was born on June 3, 1965, in Canada. She met Jordan Peterson at the tender age of eight, the two grew up together in Alberta, Canada. Jordan would claim that it was a case of love at first sight, going so far as to tell his father about his intention to marry her when he was just 11 years old. Sure enough, the two were wed in 1989, and are still together to this day.

Before Tammy Peterson devoted her time to supporting her husband as an advisor, she worked professionally as a massage therapist. Tammy has also been an avid foster parent since she was 30, housing many children from orphanages in and around Canada.

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He is the acclaimed author of 12 Rules: An Antidote to Chaos, reaching global fame as a clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. 12 Rules: An Antidote to Chaos has garnered a fierce following comprised of people who have enjoyed positive changes in their lives due to the teachings detailed in the book.

He further extends his reach by distributing his talks via his YouTube channel and has hosted an Ask Me Anything session on the popular social website Reddit. Jordan Peterson also provides regular updates about his life on Twitter. He teaches self-help lectures all over the world, going on tour to various parts of Canada and the United States, and even as far as Melbourne and Sydney in Australia.

Currently 53-years-old, Tammy Peterson enjoys a simple life. She has little to no presence on social media, and its no secret that her husband is definitely the more public one between them.

Her husband sparked great controversy when he went very public with his stance against political correctness. It all came to a head with his refusal to comply with a Canadian law that requires addressing transgender students with the pronouns of their choice.

Jordan Peterson is also infamous for his polarising interviews on various social media platforms, where he often critiques some aspects of the modern feminist movement. Peterson also speaks about a crisis of masculinity, providing critique on current trends that seek to feminize men.

Hes gone under fire for expressing his views on multiple platforms, such as a particular interview with Cathy Newman and a Q&A with the ABC that have gone viral. However, his stance is fiercely defended by his supporters.

His views have also impacted his professional life. After receiving a lot of backlash from students and faculty, Cambridge University rescinded an invitation for a visiting fellowship to Jordan Peterson.

One can only imagine what its like to be married to someone who is so scrutinised by the public. What does it mean to be Jordan Petersons wife? Is it intimidating to be so publicly known mostly by your other half?

Tammy Peterson seems to be in total support of her husband if we are to go by their enduring marriage. Her relative absence from social media and the public eye says very little about her real feelings about her husbands political stance, however.

The purpose of life is finding the largest burden that you can bear and bearing it.

Jordan B. Peterson

In the middle of 2019, Jordan Peterson released news that Tammy has been diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer. She underwent two surgeries, with the second one leading to a rare complication that damaged her lymphatic system. Through this ordeal, Jordan Peterson stayed by her side as she went from hospital to hospital, even going to the United States for treatment.

Tammy Peterson currently seems to be on the road to recovery, in a turn of events that her family sees as miraculous. Despite this, the stress of worrying and caring for his wife night after sleepless night has gotten Jordan Peterson into taking the anti-anxiety medication clonazepam and he has apparently fallen into a deep chemical dependency.

Jordan Peterson has recently checked into rehab in New York to wean himself from the drug as quickly as possible. His daughter Mikhaila Peterson reported on her YouTube channel that Jordan is having a miserable time dealing with the physical withdrawal, and is showing symptoms of severe depression.

Fun Fact: Both Mikhaila and Jordan are advocates of an all-meat diet which they claim to have helped them both with chronic health conditions.

In the age of social media and continuous connectivity, the fact that Tammy Peterson has kept such a low profile despite her husbands notoriety is strangely remarkable. Her struggle with a rare cancer is truly terrible news, and we can only hope that the Peterson family are able to put all of it behind them soon.

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Jordan Peterson Wife: The Truth About Tammy Peterson - Who

The controversial but influential comic will bring his new standup tour to town in August.

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Marc Maron just came to Tampa. Seems like a good time for another podcast comedy king, Joe Rogan, to follow suit.

Rogan, the controversial yet influential comic, actor and host of the phenomenally popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast, is bringing his new standup tour to Tampas Amalie Arena on Aug. 14. Tickets are $35.75 and up. Click here for details.

The fact that a podcaster is able to headline Amalie Arena should tell you something about how far Rogan has come since his days on NewsRadio and Fear Factor. Since launching in 2009, The Joe Rogan Experience has booked a diverse array of guests from Hollywood and beyond, from Robert Downey Jr., Mel Gibson and Elon Musk to figures like Richard Dawkins, Jordan Peterson and Gavin McInnes.

Rogans choice of guests and eagerness to discuss topics ranging from the controversial to the toxic (or at least toxic-adjacent) have made him a polarizing political figure. Bernie Sanders spent an hour on his show last summer, which led the Libertarian-leaning Rogan to endorse Sanders for president in 2020. That led some on the left to urge Sanders to reject Rogans (potentially impactful) endorsement over the comics history of transphobic and xenophobic jokes and comments.

Regardless, The Joe Rogan Experience remains one of the worlds most downloaded podcasts, so much so that theres every chance his Amalie Arena show could sell out. He has, in fact, also booked a show at Orlandos Amway Center on Aug. 15.

Two shows in Florida during the dog days of the presidential election? Rogan might well find a few things to say about that.

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Podcast giant Joe Rogan coming to Tampas Amalie Arena - Tampa Bay Times