MPDR Archives Blog Post #598 - Apr 29, 2016

Pause for 3 Mindful Breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "Kindness and compassion are indeed skills we develop. Not in the sense of forcing ourselves to feel, or even worse, pretend to feel, an emotion that is not there. Instead, if we learn to pay attention in a different, more open way- seeing the good within ourselves instead of fixating on what we don’t like, noticing those we usually ignore or look right through, letting go of categories and assumptions when we relate to others  -we are creating the conditions for kindness and compassion to flow." -Sharon Salzberg   http://www.mindful.org/meditation-start-here/     Wishing you a wonderful day Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #597 - Apr 28, 2016

Pause and intentionally bring attention to the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "Compassion opens our attention and makes it more inclusive, transforming the way we view ourselves and the world. Instead of being so caught up in the construct of self and other and us and them that we tend to see the world through, we see things much more in terms of connection to all. This fundamental transformation from alienation begins with more kindness to ourselves." -Sharon Salzberg (excerpt from post Three Simple Ways to Pay Attention) http://www.mindful.org/meditation-start-here/     Wishing you a mindful day filled with moments of kindness Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #596 - Apr 27, 2016

Bring curious attention  to the flow of air into your body and to the releasing of air into the world for the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "Mindfulness refines our attention so that we can connect more fully and directly with whatever life brings. So many times our perception of what is happening is distorted by bias, habits, fears, or desires. Mindfulness helps us see through these and be much more aware of what actually is." -Sharon Salzberg (excerpt from post Three Simple Ways to Pay Attention) http://www.mindful.org/meditation-start-here/ Wishing you moments of mindful awareness Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #595 - Apr 26, 2016

Pause Be aware of the sensations of breathing in and breathing out for the following three breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "When we hear phrases commonly used to describe mindfulness, like “just be with what is,” “accept the present moment,” “don’t get lost in judgment,” it can sound pretty inert. But the actual experience of mindfulness is of vibrant, alive, open space where creative responses to situations have room to arise, precisely because we’re not stuck in the well-worn grooves of the same old habitual reactions. In mindfulness, we don’t lose discernment and intelligence. These qualities, in fact, become more acute as stale preconceptions and automatic, rigid responses no longer rule the day." -Sharon Salzberg (excerpt from post Three Simple Ways to Pay Attention)  http://www.mindful.org/meditation-start-here/       Wishing you moments of mindfulness today Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #594 - Apr 25, 2016

Pause and intentionally bring attention to the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "These trees are magnificent, but even more magnificent is the sublime and moving space between them, as though with their growth it too increased.” -Rainer Maria Rilke Have a mindful day Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #593 - Apr 24, 2016

Be here now Bring your attention to the sensations of breathing for the following 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets," The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration - it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done." -Tim Kreider Excerpt from post “The Busy Trap” http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/ Wishing you some moments of nourishing "down time"  this evening Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #592 - Apr 23, 2016

Bring your attention into this moment By noticing the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman If you have 1 minute, consider clicking on the image above to watch a beautiful moment of mindful seeing.   “Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory." -Betty Smith Warm wishes for a mindful day Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #591 - Apr 22, 2016

Take a moment to step out of the auto pilot “doing mode” into simply being here and now by bringing awareness to the sensations of the next three breaths.

image by M. Lee Freedman “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened. All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” – Helen Keller Wishing you strength, wisdom and compassion for yourself and others whenever you encounter suffering  Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #590 - Apr 21, 2016

PAUSE for three mindful breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."  -William Shakespeare   Wishing you many peaceful moments today Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #589 - Apr 20, 2016

image by M. Lee Freedman     “Mindfulness practice increases compassion over time.  It does this by developing the capacity to be kind to ourselves, accepting ourselves for who we are and not what we imagine we ‘should’ be;  therefore allowing us to accept others as they are, and not as we imagine they ‘should’ be.  In this practice, we begin to understand the necessity of community and inclusivity. We experience the value of service to others and the joy these actions bring. The practice of mindfulness is best done with others. It reminds us of our interdependence and what it is to be human. When we are kind to others we also help ourselves.” -Dr. Patricia Rockman Excerpt from post Ending Mental Health Stigma Through Mindfulness http://www.mindfulnessstudies.com/blog/page/3/ Wishing you moments of peace and joy on this lovely spring day Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.

MPDR Archives Blog Post #588 - Apr 19, 2016

Bring kind attention into this moment By noticing the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman "Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle." — Charles Glassman   Wishing you many moments of kindness as you progress through your day today Lee M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C) To view the MPDR archives, click here.