(Facebook Photo/Shannon Woodruff)

PHOENIX Approximately 40 million American adults roughly 18% of the population have an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

People are focusing on their mental health more than ever and small, mindful practices can do wonders for overall well-being.

Mindfulness is being aware of what your mind is doing and kind of keeping it in check, Shannon Woodruff, modern mindfulness advocate and certified meditation instructor, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.

Woodruff owns and operates a local business, ManifesTEEN, that offers meditation workshops for both adults and teens who want to improve their mindfulness.

Even the act of just meditating is mindful because youre saying, I am the one in control here. Woodruff said.

Sitting and knowing you are sitting and slowing down a racing mind can help calm you down. In return, it can impact your overall mental health.

It helps with things like anxiety, insomnia, and mental health in general just feelings of well-being and positivity and just being aware that you are not your thoughts, Woodruff said.

How can you start practicing mindful thinking?

Witnessing your breath, and once you start witnessing your breath, you are witnessing an internal motion you dont have control over, Woodruff said.

Woodruff added guided meditations can get adults to use their imaginations in a positive productive way. You can find free tutorials on her Facebook or Instagram or at ManifesTEEN.

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Mindful thinking, meditation can help with anxiety, depression - KTAR.com

As the sun set on Friday night, a group of certified wellness coaches held a guided meditation session on the UC lawn. Dinesh Kashikar, also known as Kashi, found meditation beneficial during college and now travels to campuses to help other stress-filled students.

The event did not include yoga mats, calm music or candles. Kashi and his comrades simply sat with students to focus on their breath and mind, and he mentioned the need to demystify meditation.

People think my mind is too crazy to meditate but once you follow the algorithm its easy, Kashi said. Meditation is for everyone, our goal is for people to learn they can do it with no intervention.

During Fridays event, Kashi informed students of how the mind handles stress. He said that people try to stop focusing on a stressful thought, but the more they push their mind to stop thinking about it, the stronger the thought become. Meditation can bring relief to this problem.

He also said that the basis of what people do begins with their state of mind. Meditation is a way to take more control of that state of mind, and is the best way to work with ones self.

When we have the key to the car (our mind) driving it is easy, Kashi said. Thoughts like clouds come and go, and the key to meditation is to be in thoughts.

Kashi has been meditating for more than 25 years and has guided meditation sessions for more than six years. He knew meditation was an important tool to share when he saw his need for sleep shrink two hours by adding only 20 minutes of daily meditation.

Kashis project is called The Art of Living and has benefited over 370 million people through SkyCamps, their system of bringing meditation resources and education to college students. The benefit of meditation is apparent through the stories of these students, including one instance where Kashi saved a life.

About 5 or 6 years ago two students came to me after a program and thanked me for saving their life, Kashi said. They were going through a traumatic break-up, but they got back together because of meditation.

Seated across from Kashi on Friday was his partner, Deepika Konakanchi. Konakanchi, a University of Memphis graduate, also discovered meditation during college and sees the practice as immensely valuable.

Konakanchi is part of The International Association of Human Values, and obtained a Ph.D at Memphis while raising young children. She credits meditation for her ability to stay focused despite her many responsibilities.

It was possible because of meditation, I made it without being stressed out, Konakanchi said. Theres a bigger high in meditation than any other recreational means.

About 38% of college students use marijuana during school, according to a 2018 study by The University of Michigan. Contrary to medicating, a 2016 study by Biological Psychiatry showed that mindful meditation can change the brain and lower the risks of inflammatory disease.

Konakanchi said there is always a need to relax and keep the mind calm. Like Kashi, Konakanchi remembered a moment where meditation changed someones life.

Seven years ago I guided 100 students doing meditation for the first time, Konakanchi said. I received an email six years later from an attendee who still remembered and valued the 6-minute practice.

The Art of Living has been in service for 37 years and has 3,000 centers worldwide. The group is open to starting a SkyCamp at the UofM via their website, artofliving.org.

One UofM student felt an impact from Fridays meditation session. Sophomore marketing major, Saran Panchakunathorn, grew up in the Buddhist country of Thailand, where meditation was common.

Since I was a child my parents would take us to the temple and monks would meditate, Panchakunathorn said. I just know the basics, but you get positive vibes and drop everything youre thinking, definitely worth trying.

Panchakunathorn also said that when he couldnt sleep or was struggling, he would meditate. He said that meditation could help recover both your mind and body, and that Fridays session was beneficial.

Skepticism around meditation still exists, but it is a healthy substance-free approach to handling stress. Free resources are available on YouTube and anybody can meditate according to Kashi.

Its a profound experience. Our vision is to bring more smiles and happiness to more people, Konakanchi said.

The rest is here:

Meditation group held outside UC to share practice with students - Daily Helmsman

Hundreds of students sang and meditated Tuesday evening during an on-campus celebration of Diwali, an annual four to five dayHindu festival of lights.

We want to be able to live a true life and be true to what we really are, event organier Hemali Patel said. We want to have integrity and stick to our values. We want to have simplicity because things in our society are getting more and more complicated, so its important to be simple and true to our core values.

During the event, students attended five information booths representing each of the five days of Diwali before participating in devotional songs and a question and answer segment. The devotional songs throughout the celebration called upon the presence of God and promoted practicing mindfulnessand meditation.

The whole program is centered around truth, simplicity and integrity, so were gonna be pushing how we can live a life with those three values, said Meet Patel, who acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

The event was hosted by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha in the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center Ballroom. BAPS has organizations and universities all over the country and hosts Campus Diwali annually in several cities, including Houston and Los Angeles, Hemali Patel said.

Several years ago, economics senior Meet Patel and event organizer Manav Patel decided to help BAPS put on Diwali after the group was inactive for years. Manav Patel said they had a group of people willing to be involved but had not taken advantage of that yet.

The focus of this event is not aimed towards Hinduism its aimed towards everyone and how to incorporate the basic values of all religions, said Manav Patel, a government and philosophy senior. Were teaching people its okay that there are some failures in your life. The messages were trying to teach are universal. Were not trying to doDiwali just for Hindus.

Psychology sophomore Hemali Patel said that the turnout had been much smaller in past years. She said they were surprised at how organized and well-attended the event was.

Communications and leadership freshman Natasha Sagar, who was at the event Tuesday, said she appreciates that the event includes all studentsregardless of their religion.

Its really cool that its a cultural event as opposed to just a religious event, Sagar said.

Go here to read the rest:

Hundreds of students begin on-campus Diwali celebration with songs, meditation - UT The Daily Texan

In a world seemingly dominated by bad news, we all need a little escapism now and then. Yes, the video game space in general is good at immersing us in their digital worlds, but trying to save the world, again, can be a taxing business. It's refreshing, then, to see a game take a different tack, offering a way to put your real-world blinkers on in a manner that's deliberately crafted to calm you to your very soul. And that's exactly why we all need Lifelike in our lives right now. Go on, turn away from Twitter for 10 minutes.

Don't be fooled by its title either. Thankfully, Lifelike is anything but a reflection of our present reality, instead presenting a journey of discovering, gathering and learning about different particle groups, with the ultimate aim of reaching a level goal. Like thatgamecompany's Flower, though, playing Lifelike is less about the destination than the Journey. Created by developer Kunabi Brother, it's described as a particle symphony, and as silly as that might sound, it's probably the perfect way to explain it.

(Image credit: Kunabi Brothers)

Inspired by the meditation concept of 'undivided attention', or 'focused attention', Lifelike encourages you to get lost in the gameplay through an immersive spectacle of sight and sound. A low-fi chill beats soundtrack ebbs into your ears and I'd recommend playing with headphones for the purest experience reactively morphing and evolving as you move through the particle types.

You play as a ball of light that can connect and collect different particles. Some look like feathers or leaves, others like fish, but most are not unlike that of your own playable glowbug. Gathering up each of these different species will cause your screen to explode with colour. Part of the process, though, is finding out how the different particles interact.

Some don't like to be touched, for example, and will follow you but never directly interact, instead choosing to swarm around your dot like a swarm of bees. Others will happily mingle together with you, and other nearby particles, creating a blanket of colour that pulsates across the screen like a shoal of fish in the sunlight. Often you'll find them wanting to take flight, leading you from point to point instead of following behind, creating rivers of bioluminescent energy that you can ride to discover more about this strange yet beautiful landscape.

(Image credit: Kunabi Brothers)

Puzzle elements slowly seep their way in, too. In one level, particles are trapped inside a gelatinous blob, and you must force your own orb through its centre with enough force to release the captives. It's all simple enough to feel satisfying without taxing your brain in the way other mobile games might, which is exactly what Kunabi Brother is aiming for.

Lifelike is about absorption and immersion in its purest form. There's no real story here, just the immensity of synesthesia: beautiful calm beats that combine with the movement and tinctures of the particles. It's a sight to behold, and the kind of calm we should all be clutching to our chests to protect right now. It'll be joining the Apple Arcade roster very soon, so look out for it on a mobile or tablet device near you in the coming weeks.

Until you can play Lifelike for yourself, why not check out our pick of thebest Apple Arcade gamesright now?

More here:

Turn off the news and play Lifelike, Apple Arcade's latest dose of mobile meditation - GamesRadar

Games often struggle when dealing with grief, and this is especially true for bombastic shooters. The oft-memed press F to pay respects moment from Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is a prime example of this, because when the rest of your game is built around the generally limited verbs of shoot, throw grenade, melee attack, it can be hard to involve the player in moments of emotional depth in satisfying ways. Because of this, many shooters tend to avoid this subject matter altogether. This lineage is why one of the weekly quests in Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, involving the player helping an NPC work through the grief of losing people close to her , has been a surprisingly pleasant balm to what is, on average, a more hamfisted approach.

---- Spoilers for Shadowkeeps Campaign and Post-Campaign Quests----

Shadowkeeps campaign begins with Eris Morn, an ex-guardian whose tragic backstory and constant black tears have earned her the title of Destinys Resident Goth (sorry, Peter Stormare) while exploring the depths of the Moon. Eris has a long history with the moon; her and a fireteam of five companions were the first to venture into the depths of the Hellmouth, but Eris was the only one to escape alive. She found a Pyramid ship, an ancient enemy that has been teased as being Destinys mysterious Darkness, the often mentioned but never portrayed evil that caused human society to collapse. The Darkness are the reason there are abandoned outposts on just about every inner planet of our solar system, and the only reason we werent completely wiped out is because the Traveler somehow managed to...fend them off? The Darkness has always been framed as a mysterious entity, a past trauma repressed by the collective psyche of humanity in an effort to focus on rebuilding.

Screenshot courtesy of Bungie

But now, that threat is back, and its using the past as a weapon. Throughout the Shadowkeep campaign, youre tasked with taking what the game calls Nightmare Hunts, where you track down and kill physical manifestations of past enemies created by the Pyramid ship.

We even get enemies from as far back as Destiny 1, with a specific mission recreating the boss encounter from the Crotas End raid. These hunts are pretty fun missions, but the weight theyre meant to carry fell flat for me. Id already killed Crota a million times, and the reference was neat, but it didnt feel like I was being haunted by my past. And for players that began playing with Destiny 2, I can only imagine their confusion at the encounter of a boss theyve never met being talked up as part of the collective pain that the Pyramid ship is taking advantage of.

Luckily, the storys focus becomes less about you being haunted, and more about Eris and her past. As the players go on these hunts, the ship sends phantoms of Eris old fireteam to haunt her. As you complete missions and quests, new ghosts continue to appear. She attempts to ignore them, but you can tell through her demeanor that the stress continues to build. Even when offered help from Ikora Rey, the only member of the Vanguard she considers a friend, Eris brushes it aside, replying that we have work to do, while gesturing to the player.

Screenshot courtesy of the author.

This piling of responsibility, ignoring stress, and then ignoring help is an all-too-familiar cycle, one many folks will be familiar with well outside of Destiny. Even though it feels like depression and therapy are in the process of being destigmatized, theres still a lot of work to do before its widely accepted. Ive personally seen the effects of that stigma, close friends that once refused to go to therapy for fear of being weird. Too many people still fall into the trap of thinking they dont need help and can pull through on their own, and sometimes that means throwing themselves headfirst into work. Eris typifies this dangerous cycle, never stopping to take stock of her own well being as she continues to help the player with their mission while the Pyramid ship continues to haunt her.

Ikoras response to being brushed off is also feels typical of people unequipped with responding to friends with depression. Instead of sticking around and trying to talk to her friend, she sends Vanguard robots to stand watch and protect her at her outpost on the Moon, an area shes already warded enemies from entering. It all proves to be an unnecessary gesture that misses the forest for the trees. When the forest is a manifestation of Eriss old fireteam that follows her everywhere, you have to wonder why Ikora thought Robots With Guns would help at all.

Screenshot courtesy of the author. The first weekly memory quest.

After the campaign ends, youre sent on a quest to find an old trinket from one of Eris fireteam members. As you fight enemies and explore the Moon, you find pieces of an old necklace that you begin to string back together. Eventually, through completing a series of combat objectives, youre able to recreate the necklace and bring it back to Eris. She tells you about that fireteam member, how they joined her and what they were like. She works through her grief in front of you, and then, only then, is that phantom finally dispersed. Its a touching moment in a game made up of mostly combat and people talking in your ear.

There has been a new quest to help Eris each week since the launch of Shadowkeep, each dealing with the memory of a different member of her fireteam.The fact that theyre weekly quests not only works within Destinys weekly reset schedule, but also motions towards the fact that facing trauma and grief takes time. Theres no easy and quick way through, its an ongoing process.

This is by no means the best depiction of working through grief in games, but for a game whos verbs are all combat-focused, Shadowkeep has managed to make such moments land with a tenderness and weight you dont normally expect, especially so from a game whose main player motivation can be making the numbers go up.

Read more from the original source:

One of the Best Quests in 'Destiny 2' Is an Unexpected Meditation on Grief - Waypoint

Podcasts are a great way to listen to health experts on the go.

When it comes to health and wellness information, there's no shortage of content, thanks to social media, websites and news these days. And even though all of the information can seem a bit overwhelming, the good news is you don't have to read it all to stay in the know.

Podcasts, one of the most popular media platforms of the moment, let you listen to the top experts and thought leaders in the wellness industry whether you're taking your dog for a walk, driving to work or hitting the treadmill at the gym. And no matter what topic you're interested in or want to learn more about, chances are there's a podcast about whatever subject you're into.

The 10 podcasts listed below are currently the most popular podcasts in the Health and Fitness category on Apple Podcasts. They cover a full range of topics from healthy eating and nutrition, meditation and happiness. Plus, they're hosted by some of the most interesting, thought-provoking figures of the moment, such as Jay Shetty (a monk turned motivational speaker) and Dave Asprey (founder of Bulletproof coffee and a leader in the "biohacking" craze).

Read more:The best-sounding true wireless headphones of 2019

This list is ranked in order of most popular according to Apple Podcast's Top Charts in the Health & Fitness category.

On Purposehost Jay Shetty is a former monk turned inspirational speaker. Shetty is often tapped to lead inspirational talks at companies such as Facebook and Google, and has coached top executives on social media strategy. In the podcast, he distills the knowledge and lessons he learned as a monk into actionable advice you can incorporate into your everyday life. Expect interviews with big-name celebrities such as Khloe Kardashian and executives such as Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph in this top-rated podcast.

Each episode in the Life Kitpodcast from NPR is essentially a how-to guide for different challenges or experiences in life. Topics range from how to sleep better to how to learn to love exercise (or at least like it). The podcast doesn't just cover health and fitness -- it also includes episode guides on finances, family issues and more.

Remember those bedtime stories you used to ask your mom or dad to tell you when you couldn't sleep as a kid? This podcast aims to be just that, except for adults. The Sleep With Mepodcast episodes are bedtime stories designed to get more boring as you listen to help you go to sleep.

Dr. Mark Hyman is a leader in the functional medicine space, which makes it not so surprising that his podcast is all about how food and the food industry can make a difference when it comes to health and chronic disease. If you're interested in food, food policy and functional nutrition (i.e. food as medicine) you'll be into this podcast.

Gretchen Rubin is a happiness and habits experts, and the bestselling author of The Happiness Project. If you like Rubin's books, you'll enjoy listening to her upbeat podcast with straightforward tips for cultivating happiness and improving daily habits.

If you've ever been skeptical about the benefits of meditation, but are curious about learning more, Dan Harris's podcast is a good place to start. Harris is known as the news anchor who had a panic attack live on Good Morning America, which is what led him to try meditation, even though he doubted that it would help him.

He eventually found so much success with it he wrote the bestselling book 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works. His podcastcovers various topics related to meditation, ambition and enlightenment.

The Rise Together Podcastis hosted by motivational speaker and best-selling author Rachel Hollis and her husband Dave Hollis. While not your typical "wellness" podcast, the couple discusses everything from relationships and sex to parenting and finances.

Tech entrepreneur Dave Asprey (best known for founding Bulletproof coffee) made it his personal mission in life to find ways to level up your body, mind and life. Through his own personal experiments, he's traveled the world and discovered some of the most interesting ways that people can do everything better.

His most notable takeaways are to do with his brand, but you can also hear more about his experiences in his podcast, where he interviews prominent doctors and leaders in the wellness space.

Interested in how famous people achieved high levels of success? Tune into The School of Greatness, hosted by Lewis Howes. Howes is a former pro athlete turned best-selling author, speaker and business coach. Howes' podcast covers all things related to personal development and features interviews with prominent executives, celebrities, and other leaders on the self-help space. Expect a good amount of content related to health, nutrition and fitness as well.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop editor Elise Loehnen take turns hosting episodes of the Goop Podcast, which covers topics related to holistic and alternative medicine, fitness, nutrition, spirituality and more. Expect interviews with leaders and interesting figures in the wellness space, including doctors, CEOs and spiritual leaders featured in Goop, Paltrow's newsletter and site.

Read more: Podcast mobile app Pocket Casts is free now

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The 10 best health and fitness podcasts, according to listeners - CNET

Ashfield

Al-Anon Meeting: Mondays at 7:30 p.m. 469 Main St., opposite St. Johns Church.

Celebrate Recovery: A 12-step program open to all seeking freedom from hang-ups and habits. Meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Athol-Orange Baptist Church, corner of Church and Walnut streets. For more information, call Mike K. at 978-894-5960.

Yoga Classes: Pure Yoga & Wellness Studio, 10C Elm St., offers classes in yoga, pilates, core fitness tai chi, reiki, seimei and massage. The first class is free. Contact Jody Fontaine at 413-824-9435 or info@pureyogawellness.com.

Movie Matinee at Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St.: Monday at 1 p.m. featuring Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Friday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m., RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsberg documentary. Call 413-772-1517 or stop by the front desk to reserve a seat. Space is limited. Free.

Greenfield Zen: Mondays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sitting and walking meditation. Cushions and chairs available. $5 suggested donation, but not required. Initial instruction for beginners at 7. All are welcome at the Community Yoga & Wellness Center, 16 Federal St. (second floor) Contact Paul Sonier at 413-665-0278 or prajna801@icloud.com.

GriefShare, a 13-week Christian support group, is now taking place at Living Waters Assembly of God, 450 Davis St. Encourages and helps those experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one, family member, friend, son, daughter, child, parent, relative or whoever, and helps to bring comfort, strength, healing and joy to their lives. Every Tuesday at 11 a.m. or 6:30 p.m.

The Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry, 3 Osgood St., is open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to eligible Franklin County residents. The pantry provides a free variety of healthy and nutritious food choices, including fresh produce and frozen meats. Call 413-773-5029 or email jcosta@communityaction.us for more information.

MEGAdanceZumba Fitness: Mondays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St. First class is free. For more information, call Megan at 413-552-6288 or visit MEGAdanceZumba Fitness on Facebook.

Cub Scouts Pack 3: Meets Mondays, 6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St. All boys in grades one to five are welcome; new members can join at any time. For more information, call Mark Maloney at 413-773-8618 or John Passiglia at 413-773-3757.

Debtors Anonymous: Tuesday, 6 p.m., The RECOVER Project, 68 Federal St. This is a 12-step program designed to help transform ones relationship with money. For additional information, call 413-773-5608.

Zen Meditation: Tuesday, 7 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Green River Zen Center, Studio B, second floor, 158 Main St. For more information, call 413-256-1549 or visit greenriverzen.org.

Yoga for Seniors at the Montague Retreat Center, Tuesdays at 9 a.m. First class for new students free. klarosmovement@gmail.com

PVRS Weight Room: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. to Northfield residents.

Halloween at Mahar: Trick-or-treating and Halloween games, with prizes, will take place at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School on Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is for grades kindergarten to 6 only and features approximately 16 stations for children to collect candy. Free. Parental supervision required. Sponsored by the Mahar Key Club, the Mahar National Honor Society and the Mahar Student Council.

NELCWIT Support Group: Creative Ways is a support group for survivors of abusive relationships to express their emotions through artistic mediums, facilitated by a NELCWIT counselor. It meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays at NELCWITs office in Orange. Free and confidential. Call for more information: 413-772-0871.

Free Weekly Tales & Tunes: Enjoy stories, songs and craft activities with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the M.N. Spear Memorial Library. Tales & Tunes will continue for the 2019 to 2020 school year on Mondays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Facilitated by Katie Tolles and intended for children up to age 5. Sponsored by the M.N. Spear Memorial Library and Union 28 Community Network for Children program. For more information, contact Gillian Budine at 978-544-5157 or budine@erving.com.

Weekly Playgroup: Enjoy time with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the Shutesbury Elementary School. For the 2019 to 2020 school year, playgroup will be Fridays from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. Facilitated by Joie Ciepiela and intended for children up to age 5. Sponsored by the Shutesbury Elementary School and Union 28 Community Network for Children program. Not held during school closures. For more information, contact Gillian Budine at 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.

Welcome New Baby: A special offer for new babies (up to 6 months old) and their families in the communities of Erving, Leverett, New Salem, Shutesbury and Wendell. Welcome Baby visits are a comfortable and comforting way for parents to connect with an early childhood expert and get information that you can use with your new baby and their siblings. Gift bags are free and made possible by funding from a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact budine@erving.com or 978-544-5157.

Union 38 Family Network Free Drop-In Playgroup for children up to age 5 and their caregivers. Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 am. throughout the school year at Sunderland Elementary School. Not held during school closures and holidays. Contact Amy Battisti at amy.battisti@frsu38.org or 413-362-9145 with questions. Funded by a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant.

Heartfulness Meditation: Every Sunday at 8:45 a.m. at the Heartfulness Meditation Center, 267 Amherst Road. For more information, visit heartfulnessmeditationpv.org or email heartfulnesspioneervalley@gmail.com.

The Womens Center at Montague Catholic Social Ministries is offering free sewing classes on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Snacks provided. Guided lessons, free fabric, other materials and the use of sewing machines supplied. The class is for beginners and women who already know how to sew. The goal is to allow women to learn a skill that could possibly support economic security. To register, call 413-863-4804, ext. 1003 or 413-325-4200 or email womenscenters@mcsmcommunity.org.

Parents Helping Parents Grandparent/Parent Support Group: Meets the second Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The United Arc, 294 Avenue A. For more information, call/text 413-834-4073 or email patkeith@unitedarc.org.

Basic Needs Program: The program, at Montague Catholic Social Ministries, is open Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, for resources and referrals. To leave a message or to make an appointment, call 413-863-4804, ext. 1002. To access Basic Needs, buzz 103 at the Moltenbrey entrance on 3rd Street.

Union 38 Family Network Free Drop-In Playgroup for children up to age 5 and their caregivers will be offered Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. throughout the school year at Whately Elementary School. Not held during school closures and holidays. Contact Amy Battisti at amy.battisti@frsu38.org or 413-362-9145 with questions. Funded by a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant.

Rep. Paul Mark Office Hours: Mark, or his aide, hold office hours Mondays at the Greenfield Community College Downtown Center, 270 Main St., Room 119, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursdays at the Charlemont Town Hall, 9 a.m. to noon; and Northfield Town Hall, 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment. For more information, call 413-464-5635.

Greenfield Salvation Army Free Community Meals and Drop-in Center: Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday. Coffee is always on.

A Free Community Meal is served Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Our Lady of Peace Church, 7th Street, Turners Falls. Sponsored by the Franklin County Community Meals Program.

Second Helping Supper: Mondays, Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, 8 Church St., Greenfield. Doors open at 4 p.m., supper served at 5:30. Sponsored by the church and Deerfield Academy.

Loaves & Fishes: Free hot meal, Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, Cheney Street, Orange. Sponsored by the Franklin County Community Meals Program.

Community Meal: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Court Square, Greenfield. Sponsored by the Franklin County Community Meals Program. Volunteer groups interested in assisting in the preparation of the meal or anyone who wants more information can call 413-772-1033 or write to: P.O. Box 172, Greenfield MA 01302.

West County Community Supper: Fridays, Trinity Church, 17 Severance St., Shelburne Falls. Coffee and tea at 5 p.m.; supper at 5:30.

Stone Soup Cafe: Meal at All Souls Church, Greenfield, on Saturdays at noon. As a pay-what-you-can offering, those who can afford to make a donation may do so while those who cant are never discriminated against or turned away. Food includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

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Talk of the Towns: Oct. 25, 2019 - The Recorder

While 2019s Celebration of World Faiths focused on the importance of taking care of the Earth in various different religions, many speakers conveyed another valuable lesson: the importance of getting in touch with ones spiritual side, regardless of religious affiliation.

The event featured the Assisi Declarations on Nature, formed when leaders from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism gathered to discuss how their faiths could help protect and save an ailing Earth.

Not everyone has to identify with the same religion:

Because she does not believe in the superiority in any one religion or faith, first-year graduate art therapy counseling student Daisy Yen said she finds it important to partake in events such as the Celebration of World Faiths.

Yen read the Buddhist Declaration in accordance with her personal beliefs at the event Saturday night. However, Yen said she did not do this in the hopes of converting anybody to Buddhism.

I personally dont feel like any religion is superior, or better, than any others, but I think its important that you have a belief its kind of the anchor for your soul, Yen said. So, I dont mean to promote Buddhism, it depends on what you feel you have a connection to. Thats why I came to this ceremony its not only for Buddhism, its not only for Christians, its for every religion, and I have respect for all of them.

On a personal level, Yen said she identifies with the Zen school of Buddhism, which heavily relies on meditation.

For meditation you basically try to have a clear mind, Yen said. One of the sayings is everyone is like a mirror. When the mirror is clean, its supposed to be able to reflect everything clearly. You can make a good decision if you have a very clear mind. However, when theres dust on the mirror, then its hard for you to see things clearly and you may not be able to make good decisions. So its very important that you polish, you clean, your mirror, which stands for your mind.

Yen said being mindful of both ones thoughts and actions is the core of her faith, and this stems from the belief in reincarnation.

For Buddhism, we believe that you have a past life. You have a past life and you have your future life, so whatever you are doing today, whatever happens to you today is a result from your past life, and all the good or bad things youre doing will contribute to your next life, Yen said. So, youre encouraged to be very aware of what youre doing right now. I think its very good to be mindful, and I think mindfulness would be the core.

No one faith is better than others:

Similar to the sentiments of Yen, Yolande Scholler said she also feels no one faith is more important than others.

I believe that were all spiritual beings, and I think on that level of being a spiritual being, theres no such thing as distinctions between different religions, so its all boiling down to the same essence basically, in my opinion, Scholler said.

This very belief inspired Scholler, a second-year social work graduate student from the Netherlands, to start Mantra, a meditation-focused group for those of all different faith backgrounds, even though she individually practices Hinduism.

Its a way to deepen your spirituality, Scholler said. So, you can follow a specific path and you dont have to change it, you can just stick to that, or you can have no path at all it would still be beneficial.

Mantra is currently studying the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu text from which Scholler read at the Celebration of World Faiths event.

Red Cedar Circlewelcomes all:

At the beginning of the event, the Red Cedar Circle performed Grandmother Song, a tribute to Grandmother Earth, and Tall Cedar Tree, a prayer for the plants. According to the program, these praises originate from the Pacific Northwest Coast Salish Lummi Tribe.

The Red Cedar Circle meets at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability at noon on the first Saturday of every even month. Member Kathy Matthews said the SiSiWis tradition-based group welcomes anybody to attend their gatherings.

We welcome one and all, Matthews said. We welcome all faiths. As long as you are of a peaceful mind, then you are more than welcome to join us and share your own stories and beliefs. We are open.

According to Matthews, SiSiWis means sacred breath, and the tradition originated as a means to bring different groups together.

Red Cedar Circle comes from the SiSiWis medicine tradition of the Pacific Northwest, Matthews said. That tradition comes from some of the core [families] in that area from way back. It was actually a tradition that came into being as a way to bring all those tribes in that area together.

Matthews said because of this, peace is at the very core of the tradition.

Thats how the tradition was put together, to bring peace to all those peoples up there, and so I believe that is the one base purpose for it being brought out into the world: peace, respect, love, Matthews said.

For more information on events at The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability, visit their calendar of events on their website.

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WIWYK: Different faiths have more in common than not - The Alestle

Compassion. Its an action of little effort with impacts that reverberate far beyond that singular moment.

From brightening up a strangers day to clinching a dream business deal thanks to an authentic connection, empathy often creates overwhelmingly positive ripples. Yet it often feels increasingly distant in our modern world.

So, why dont we give compassion the credit and attention it deserves?

Thats what Thupten Jinpa, a Cambridge University alumni, author of A Fearless Heart, longtime translator to the Dalai Lama, and former Tibetan monk wondered.

Thupten Jinpa

With a lifetime immersed in Buddhist philosophies, Jinpa inherently knew there were more perks to compassion than morality alone. But also as a scholar, he wanted to prove it through science.

Jinpa worked alongside Stanford University to design an 8-week course calledCompassion Cultivation Training (CCT).Now offered worldwide, CCT teaches students practical, evidence-based methods of integrating empathy and compassion into their everyday lives. So far, theyve guided everyone from school teachers to CEOs to Silicon Valley police chiefs on instilling conscious empathy.

He also established a nonprofit called the Compassion Institute. Here, Jinpa and his colleagues study the physical and psychological benefits behind mindful, compassionate living.

The more we can live consciously, Jinpa says, the happier we are.

Building a Life of Compassion

Before emerging as a leader in compassionate studies, Thupten Jinpa was a young Tibetan refugee growing up in India. And, it was actually as a child that he first met the Dalai Lama.

The legendary spiritual luminary visited Jinpas boarding school, which was run by Tibetan Buddhist monks. During this visit, the then six-year-old Jinpa was chosen to hold the Dalai Lamas hand and walk alongside him during his stay. Though he knew this man was an important figure, Jinpa didnt fully understand just how so.

I just knew he was my boss boss, Jinpa laughs.

Still, its hard not to think that this early bond somehow guided his future pathespecially since he soon adamantly wanted to become a monk himself.

Aside from his interaction with the Dalai Lama, Jinpa was also enthralled with the monks he regularly saw around him. As an incredibly bright, yet academically bored, student, Jinpa loved the intellectual debates that were commonplace within the monastic order.

There was also an undeniable aura that drew the boy in. They all looked radiant, he says. There was a level of serenity that you don't see in ordinary peoples faces.

So, despite his own fatherwho was a monk himselfbeing against his son joining a monastery, Jinpas strong will won out. At just eleven, he became a Tibetan Buddhist monka role hed remain in for the next eleven years. Those years were probably the best years of my life, Jinpa recalls. It was just amazing.

For the first time I was able to plunge into what inspired me. It was intellectually stimulating. My colleagues were very impressive. The combination of practice, intellectual scholarship, self-study, retreats, and debate...It was just perfect.

It was also during this time that Jinpa reconnected with the Dalai Lama who was seeking a one-off substitute for his regular English translator. With a reputation for his solid grasp of the language, Jinpa was given the opportunity. When people were taken aback by his talent, he was given the role full-time.

Since then, 1985 to be exact, Jinpa has worked closely with the Dalai Lama as they travel the globe to spread his message of peace, kindness and compassionthree things at the core of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there's a whole mythology of compassion, Jinpa says. If people talk about the attributes of individuals, compassion is seen as the best.

He also began realizing how radical the Dalai Lamas teachings were. Though no doubt rooted in Buddhist traditions, he ingeniously adapts his wisdom so its consumable within the secular, mainstream world.

He genuinely believes that theres something in the mental training techniques that the Buddhist traditions have developed, and that they can be adapted, says Jinpa. Basically, if it touches upon the fundamental human experiencehuman lifethen it should be translatable.

After years of inspiration by the Dalai Lama, Jinpa began feeling called towards a purpose beyond life as a monk. Two years of contemplation later, he decided to leave the monastic life behind in pursuit of higher educationand an opportunity to teach the value of compassion to a greater audience.

Though the change didnt necessarily mean hed have to leave his role as translator, Jinpa was still nervous to let his boss know. But as youd likely expect, the Dalai Lama showed nothing but grace.

He responded, Jinpa recalls, I would be lying if I said that I'm not saddened by your decision, and for the monastic community to lose someone of your caliber. But, I've known you for a long time and I know you did not make this decision lightly.

So, with the Dalai Lamas blessingand a scholarship to Cambridge University to study philosophy and religious studiesJinpa began a path as an advocate for a more practical, universal, and academic understanding of compassion.

The Science of Compassion

If compassion is so integral to humanity, why does it seem to be lacking within modern society?

As part of his studies at Cambridge, work with the Compassion Institute, and beyond, Jinpas made it his mission to explore and promote the fascinating intersection of psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, and kindness.

Alongside a team of scientists, psychologists, and even the Dalai Lama himself, Jinpa and his team have been analyzing the merits of mindful compassion for yearsand what theyve learned has been illuminating.

The beauty of learning to extend empathy beyond the normal circle is that even though you may have difficulties with another person, says Jinpa, your handling of that relationship never lets you forget the humanity of the other person.

That gives you tremendous stability and strength.

In life, we often dont have a choice in what happens. However, we do have a choice in how we respond. This is why the teachings of mindfulness and compassion are so powerful, he says. Mindfulness gives us the ability to take a step back and recognize our choices.

Though recognizing the humanity within everyone positively affects us and others within nearly every aspect of life, just imagine the benefits within the workplace alone.

Whether were the intern, the CEO, or the client, we all have flaws, strengths, histories, and motivations. By both acknowledging each others humanity, we can often reach an authentic, effective solution faster than ever.

Jinpas especially seeing workplace benefits within the healthcare industryan industry fraught with stress and burnoutand often lacking in compassion when people need it most.

Not only do physicians, nurses and other medical professionals deserve empathy for their too-often unappreciated laborso do the patients who are treated everyday. In fact, studies are showing that compassion makes patients feel better both emotionally and physically.

Jinpa points to various studies showing that, on average, it took physicians only forty seconds of compassion to make a marked difference on a patients overall well-being and decrease physician burnout.

By taking the short amount of time to build even a short, but genuine, relationship, both parties feel better about whatever challenges may lie ahead. At that moment, theres no doctor and patient. Instead, its just two humans working towards a mutual goalhealth.

Forty seconds can make all the difference, says Jinpa.

Were All Just Human

If compassion is such an important quality, why do humans ignore kindness?

Jinpa learned that so much of our modern culture has been molded by whats considered Darwinian evolutionary thinkingor survival of the fittest. The pursuit of self-interest is seen as the ultimate explanation of human behavior, he says.

Kindness too often gets in the way of that. With the complexities of todays concept of success, compassion often only kicks in during critical, painful or emotional moments. After all, if we dont receive compassion from others during a life-or-death situationwe die.

We too often ignore, overlook or even bury the impulse, says Jinpa. Until recently, compassion was kept within religion or morality. The Dalai Lama took it out, naturalized it, and made it part of the human experience. Now, Jinpas encouraging us all to do the same.

So, how can we all start integrating compassion into our own lives?

First off, Jinpa recommends that we think of integrating compassion into our life as a shift in perspective more than anything. Its not altering how you do things. Instead, its just viewing it all through a compassionate lens.

Its about becoming more aware about when your emotions are kicking in and being able to regulate them, he says.

He also suggests practicing awareness of your actions.

Awareness sets a certain standard for when youre confronted with a situation. Where you might be tempted to do something that is harmful, youre instead able to bring in your mindfulness training and say, Well, this is unbecoming of me. This is against my values.

That's one reason why regular contemplative practice is so powerful. It gives us the ability to bring mindfulness and awareness when it's needed.

Essentially, the more practice you have at mindfully stopping your mental impulses through methods and tools like regular meditation, the easier itll be when it matters most.

Then, when a moment emerges where youd once act impulsively without thought, youll instead stop, thinkand act with kindness.

Want to hear my entire conversation with Thupten Jinpa? You'll learn more about his life as a Tibetan Monk, the science and psychology behind compassion and kindness, how hes using compassion training to treat PTSD, what his relationship with the Dalai Lama was like, and so much more.

Listen to the entire conversation on my donothing podcast now and visit http://www.donothingbook.com for more information. Also, connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn and keep up with my company imageOne here.

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Why a Moment of Compassion Can Change Everything in Business (and Life!) - Forbes

I am overwhelmed by choice. As a recent college graduate, among other options, I have the opportunity to go to grad school, move for a job, or stick around and work to save. My parents and my girlfriend have their opinions, as do my friends, and I think Im just experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out). How do I know what I want?

S. Maddox

I applaud your ability to see that you have all these opportunities. Having the world laid out before you can be a very empowering and overwhelming feeling. Ive learned similar lessons about choices. Given too many, we are overwhelmed, and not given enough, we think something better is out there. Why do you think most marketing presents good, better and best options?

Aside from your fear of missing out, you probably know what you want; a short-term feeling or idea that youd like to maintain. Do you want to get out of the familiar and travel? Do you need more education to do what youd like to do? You must remember that the people in your life who are giving you their opinion, its not their life to lead. A lot can be said for the sage advice of someone with experience you trust, but youre going to have to walk your own path in order to become who you really are. Nana says, You can loan someone your map, but the way they decide to go is theirs. Dont be afraid to make those first few scary choices, even if the outcome is not exactly what you want. I can guarantee you will learn and grow from walking through it. Some of the dumbest choices Ive ever made taught me a skill that was invaluable to me in the future.

The key is to try to silence the noise and be as present as possible in order to listen to what that little inner voice is saying to you. It may be small, it may be weak, but it is there and you are aware of it. Have you ever heard that we all wear masks? Masks we present to the world to shield who we really are, our facades that allow us to operate in needed roles like parent, partner, leader, cheerleader. Masks that protect us, and help define who we are and our place in the world.

Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle described how the ability to make choices frees us. Choice implies consciousness a high degree of consciousness. Without it, you have no choice. Choice begins the moment you dis-identify from the mind and its conditioned patterns, the moment you become present. Nobody chooses dysfunction, conflict, pain. Nobody chooses insanity. They happen because there is not enough presence in you to dissolve the past, not enough light to dispel the darkness. You are not fully here. You have not quite woken up yet. In the meantime, the conditioned mind is running your life.

In a world of so many opportunities, choices are defining moments that continue to shape the ever-evolving you. Its easy to listen when the world agrees with you. The difficultly lies when youre challenged to go against popular opinion. It can feel taxing to muster up the courage necessary to make the day-to-day choices, much less live out your unique dream. Listen when your inner voice overpowers what everyone else is saying. This is your true self inviting you to be free to claim your individual path.

Some of the most famous and successful people did not begin that way. They each got there step by step, choice by choice. Theres freedom in knowing that while every choice makes change, it is the sum total of our choices that guides us to the present moment and carves the pathway of our lives. If you dont like a choice you made, change it. It you cant change it, change your attitude about it. Dont put off choices you know you need to make.

A simple way to get in tune with yourself is compiling pros and cons list. Draw that line and compare and see how you react. We love horoscopes and advice columns and self-help groups because we have something to react to, we can see parts of ourselves in anothers story. When faced with a choice, ask if it moves you closer to your vision for yourself. Does it increase your joy and your experience? Does it connect you with what you do best, allowing you to grow?

Growing pains are called such for a reason. Through the growth process, its important to feel those periods of transition, however uncomfortable they may be. Learn from the past, but do not define yourself by it. I doubt the butterfly scorns the caterpillar. You dont have to define your whole life story based on one chapter.

Try as best you can to observe the journey with the inner confidence that you are being the best you know how to be. Confidence is not, Will this work out or will they like me? Confidence is, Ill be OK if it doesnt or they dont. It is often said that when a person is figuratively shaken, they will see what spills out, their character and what theyre made of. Its not going to be a wrong choice that you make and trust me, there will be some it will be how you react to it and what lessons you take from it. Its OK to walk up to this challenge just as you are. You cant mess up just by being you.

Kimberly can be reached at sinceyouasked81435@gmail.com.

Read more:
Masks and mindfulness | Opinion - The Daily Planet