Seven Years Of Practice
Today marks 7 years of formal daily meditation practice for me. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined myself where I am today. I'm beyond grateful for each and every moment 🙏🏻.
Along the way, there have been over 100 days of retreat, a 2-year meditation teacher training, a yearlong somatic coaching training, a yoga teacher training, countless journeys 🌿, finding Ikigai thru mindful leadership coaching, living in the woods for 2 years, letting go of alcohol and caffeine, transitioning to a whole food plant based diet, sleeping more, and 4 hours every morning dedicated to peace...I estimate some 2,000 hours of practice since 2016 that have revived in me what my grandfather helped me begin cultivating at an early age, thru gazing at the water.
My practice is now, in addition to plenty of things on the inside, bringing this constantly changing new me and what I have learned into community and the world.
Deep gratitude to all of the practitioners who have kept Buddhist meditation alive and shared it for millinea 🙇🏼. And to all of you who have supported me along the way 💙.
"Peace in myself, peace in the world." — Thay
Acceptance
“I cannot thank Andy enough for his impact on my company. About two years ago, Andy introduced the concept of Acceptance. Not only did Acceptance become one of our core values, it has changed how we communicate and treat each other on a daily basis.”
— Seth G., Software Company CEO
Listen To Your Partner
One of my clients just sent me this text exchange he was having with his wife after our meeting today 🤣
Can you relate!?
Power
"We are so all motivated by the desire to be happy. And we know that we should have some power to be really happy. But what kind of power should we acquire? That is the question, and this is a real topic of meditation for everyone." — Thich Nhat Hanh
Relief From Suffering
"If you know how to hold your suffering long enough, you get relief." — Thich Nhat Hanh
Anxiety And Climate Change
You know how all the animals go haywire before a big natural disaster...
Anxiety levels are rising. Anxiety is fear. Fear is for survival. Climate change is accelerating.
Is anyone else seeing the link 🤔?
Father’s Day Tribute To My Granpa
My Granpa used to spend hours every afternoon gazing over the water from his rocking chair.
Deeply admiring his wise, calming presence, I began trying to emulate him as a young boy.
Uncertainty And Suffering
If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you're bound to suffer.
It's kind of like yelling at a river to flow the other way.
— Paraphrasing Ajahn Chah
5 Years (California) Sober + Healthy Eating!
Today is a special day for me 🤗
5 years (California) sober + of healthy eating 🍲!
Love
Love by Alexander Milov
Are You Ready For A Still Mind?
Many people say they want peace, and deep down, they aren't yet ready for it. That's how it was for me for years. And that's the real reason I didn't have it. I thrived on the chaos. And not only is this okay, acknowledging this is a critical step in the path forward.
Tears Of The Earth
I've never before felt so strongly the impermanence of this blip in the cosmos that is our human existence.
Prioritization Under Pressure
I optimize to relieve the most stress, the fastest!
In Honor Of My Grandmother This Mother’s Day
In yoga, there is an invitation to offer practice to a loved one, who is perhaps unable. I offer my practice to you, Nanix. You've always taken the time to pause and offer me your caring attention, no matter what's going on.
How My Dog Has Taught Me To Love
Dear Barkley, thank you for showing me how to love...
- In greeting me with affection and joy, no matter what
- In being gentle with me
- In taking the space you need and always coming back
- In meditating patiently with me
- In knowing when I'm sad and coming close
- In the way you tilt your head when you look at me
- In your patience as I slowly learn to receive your love and then show you mine
- In allowing me to hold my head close to yours
- In defaulting to always show your love to all, and then standing kindly firm only when necessary
- In reminding me how to play
- In kindly teaching me to put you first on walks, telling me what you need
- In waking me when there's an emergency
Happiness Is Simple
The Dalai Lama says, “the purpose of life is to be happy.” It’s simple. Think about things that bring you happiness. Do more of them! Think about things that bring you unhappiness. Do less of them!
Stop
Sometimes, when the brain doesn’t let me stop, the body takes control.
One Of The Simplest Ways To Achieve Your Goals
I learned to use sheer will power at an early age to get results. I don’t recommend it.
Do You Love Your Career Or Does Your Ego?
Often, my motivation for starting something is so pure; I love it for it. But just as success comes, so too does the ego.
Meditation Doesn’t Have To Be So Hard
Meditation isn't about how long your mind is clear. It's about learning to accept distraction.