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In this episode, Mary and Christine explore the challenges of being a highly sensitive person (HSP) in today's demanding work environments. Mary shares her struggle with returning to a five-day office schedule in an open workspace with 770 people, where constant Zoom meetings, fluorescent lighting, strong fragrances, and overwhelming noise levels make it nearly impossible to focus on complex analytical work. What started as complaints about her commute evolved into a deeper realization about sensory processing sensitivity and how environmental stimuli can profoundly impact productivity and well-being.

The conversation reveals how highly sensitive people pick up not just on physical stimuli but also on others' emotions and moods, creating both advantages (like better situational awareness) and challenges (like emotional overwhelm in crowded spaces). Christine relates through her own experiences with sound sensitivity and family dynamics, while both hosts discuss the importance of understanding these traits as neurodivergent characteristics rather than pathologies. They emphasize that labels like HSP, or Sensory Processing Sensitivity, are only useful when they lead to practical coping strategies and self-understanding, noting that about 30% of employees in Mary's workplace report noise as a significant distraction—likely much higher among those actually working in the office daily.

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Resources:

Sensitive Refuge https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/sensitive-book/

The Highly Sensitive Person https://hsperson.com/

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

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In this episode, join us as we delve into the ancient practice of mantras and mudras for meditation and wellness. We discuss the scientific evidence related to the benefits of these techniques, including how mantras can help calm the mind and break negative thought patterns, and how hand mudras can activate different energy centers in the body and affect our overall wellbeing.

We share our personal experiences with mantras and mudras, noting the immediate calming effects, and explore the connections between mantras, mudras, and other mind-body practices like breathwork, tapping, and Gregorian chants, which are all tied to ancient wisdom and are now being scientifically validated.

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Mantras are a single word, or phrase, that you repeat to yourself out loud, or silently. Not just on your yoga mat, but also while doing daily tasks like waiting in line at the grocery store, taking a walk, or preparing for work meetings.

Over two decades of research have found that mantras offer an impressive list of benefits: reducing depression, anxiety, distress, and posttraumatic stress symptoms; and fostering mindfulness, positive coping skills, and a sense of wellbeing. One of the ways that mantras create these positive effects is by replacing unhelpful mind chatter.

Most spiritual traditions have them, many in the form of chants such as in Christian, Buddhist, and various indigenous traditions. While affirmations, a secular type of mantra, can be used in the same way, researcher Doug Oman of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health has found that there is an added benefit to using mantras derived from spiritual traditions for people who are grounded in those particular religions.

Mudras are hand, finger, eye, or body positions used in yoga to channel the flow of prana, or life force energy or electromagnetic energy, to stimulate the body and mind.

REFERENCES:

Mantras

Minding the Brain Podcast, Doug Oman

https://youtu.be/Pc4PPBG9PQE

Oman, D. (2024). What is a mantra? Guidance for practitioners, researchers, and editors. American Psychologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001368

Bormann, J. E., Kane, J. J., & Oman, D. (2020). Mantram repetition: A portable practice for being mindful. Mindfulness, 11(8), 2031–2033.

Green Tara

Vilhauer, J. (2019, June 29). Mantra: A Powerful Way to Improve Your Well-Being. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201906/mantra-powerful-way-improve-your-well-being

Mudras

Yoga 101: Mudras for Beginners

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/yoga-101-mudras-for-beginners/

Effect of yoga mudras in improving the health of users: A precautionary measure practice in daily life for resisting the deadly COVID-19 disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9347266/

Classification of Electrophotonic Images of Yogic Practice of Mudra through Neural Networks

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29755225/

The Science Behind Yoga Mudras

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Join us as Mary returns from her adventure with Wilde Routes Ireland, sharing her intimate experiences in the land of folklore and tradition. Mary's tales weave through the enchanting fabric of Irish folklore and traditional crafts. This episode is a heartfelt celebration of Ireland's landscapes, history, and the inviting warmth of its people.

References:

Wild Routes Ireland https://www.wildroutesireland.com/

Sleive Aughty Centre https://slieveaughtycentre.com/

The Secret of Roan Innish https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-secret-of-roan-inish/umc.cmc.12o9ywfj9ayn1dhykx00a0gal

Selkies & Mermaids: What’s the Difference? https://youtu.be/2gRz6ewo4c4

The Aran Islands https://www.aranislands.ie/

Poetry of J. M. Synge ​​https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/j-m-synge

Irish Examiner article about Oonagh O’Dwyer https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-20404065.html

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Have you ever experienced a serendipitous moment so profound that it felt like the universe was speaking directly to you? Join Curious Mind Grapes as we bridge the gap between the mystical and the practical. We discuss how aligning our intentions with the greater good can enrich our professional and personal lives. Join us for a thoughtful reflection on integrating spiritual values and insights into everyday actions, and learn how to live a life imbued with love and purpose.

Ana Jones https://anajonesonline.com/

How Do Quakers Worship? https://quaker.org/how-do-quakers-worship/

A bit more about Quakerism https://housatonicmeeting.org/ (scroll down below the Tag Sale info 🙂)

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What if ancient civilizations had secrets we are only just beginning to understand? Join us as we contemplate the intricate geometric design of Washington, DC, and speculate about the historical and mystical significance of architectural designs and ley lines.

Ever wondered if cities had their own personalities? Inspired by N.K. Jemisin's "The City We Became," we imagine cities coming to life through avatars, and contrast the vibrant energy of newer American cities with the timeless character of ancient European ones. We also touch on the sacred geometry of places like Roslyn Chapel, highlighting how these locations continue to intrigue and inspire.

Sharing personal anecdotes, we also delve into how environments can deeply influence our emotions and even our pets' reactions! From the unsettling vibe of certain parks to the surprising uplift of Edinburgh, we explore the palpable energies of places. Finally, we emphasize the significance of cleansing and maintaining sacred spaces, discussing cultural practices that transform areas of dense energy into harmonious and positive environments. 

Rosslyn Chapel https://www.rosslynchapel.com/

Sacred Geometry Academy https://sacredgeometryacademy.com/

Secrets in Plain Site Documentary https://sacredgeometryacademy.com/course/secrets-in-plain-sight

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin https://bookshop.org/a/19443/9780316509848

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Imagine standing among ancient stone circles, feeling an energy so palpable it reminds you of a Reiki treatment. Join us as Christine recounts her profound experiences visiting the sacred sites on and around the Isle of Mull, including the mesmerizing Loch Buie standing stones. You'll learn about the beauty and mystery these places hold and how they left a lasting physical and emotional impact on Christine. 

We'll touch on themes of identity and the transformative power of travel, supported by concepts like encoded memory and past lives, with nods to the University of Virginia and noted psychiatrists Brian Weiss and Carl Jung. Plus, we share some compelling YA fictional book recommendations set in historical Scotland, perfect for anyone interested in getting a glimpse of the life of a traditional healer in the 14th Century. Don’t miss this episode filled with personal growth, spiritual insights, and the timeless allure of Scotland’s mystical landscapes!

Churches, abbeys and chapels, History: Iona’s timeless haven, https://thehazeltree.co.uk/2012/02/09/ionas-timeless-haven/

Voices Over the Water, a film by Guy Perotta and Jane Ferguson https://voicesoverthewater.com/

University of Virginia School of Medicine, Division of Perceptual Studies (including past lives), https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/

Juniper, Monica Furlong https://bookshop.org/p/books/juniper-monica-furlong/13010276

Wise Child, Monica Furlong https://bookshop.org/p/books/wise-child-monica-furlong/13010270?ean=9781635618136

Slavery in the West Highlands and Islands of Scotland https://www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-ANNEX-2020-Plantation-slavery.pdf

Note on this episode's cover image: The Trinity Knot, an ancient Celtic symbol, used in the cover art image, represents birth, death, rebirth (the cycle of life).

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Join us as Mary shares her transformative experience with the Inner MBA, a nine-month certificate program co-created by SoundsTrue, LinkedIn, and Wisdom 2.0. Guided by esteemed business leaders, professors, and meditation practitioners, she learned how to integrate a wide range of mindfulness practices into everyday life, both personal and professional, in order to cultivate authentic communication, creativity, and openness to new ideas.

We also talk about the importance of compassion, especially in today’s workplace, and how small intentional acts can create positive impact not just within our immediate circles, but can ripple outward farther than we can ever imagine.

Show Resources
Inner MBA https://innermba.soundstrue.com/

Sounds True https://www.soundstrue.com/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/

Wisdom 2.0 https://www.wisdom2summit.com/

Jeremy Hunter https://jeremyhunter.net/

Jacqueline Carter https://www.potentialproject.com/speakers/jacqueline-carter

Tara Brach https://www.tarabrach.com/

Sharon Salzberg https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/

Jack Kornfield https://jackkornfield.com/

Wadlinger HA, Isaacowitz DM. Positive mood broadens visual attention to positive stimuli. Motiv Emot. 2006 Mar 1;30(1):87-99.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2860869/

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Join us as we talk about the many wonderful applications of breathwork, or pranayama, in our daily lives! In this episode, we share personal stories, along with insights from experts, about how this simple but powerful practice can create a sense of grounding, sharpen our focus, and enhance our physical well-being. We also delve into some of its more esoteric applications, such as inducing altered states of consciousness, including the psychotherapeutic potential of holotropic breathwork, and the energizing effects of Kundalini yoga. Whether you're seeking calm before the storm of a hectic schedule, need a tool to enhance mental clarity, or are hoping to explore alternate realities without the use of drugs, you'll find this episode a breath of fresh air!

Show Resources

Breathing Their Way to an Altered State, Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, January 10, 2024 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/style/therapy-breathing-psychedelics.html

Grof Holotropic Breathwork https://www.holotropic.com/holotropic-breathwork/about-holotropic-breathwork/

Cuyamunge Institute, Ecstatic Trance Ritual Postures https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jvBnf_K2QTu58_jqPyUMBovtA1N9zBw-IpiKczQPv2E/edit

Sama Vritti Prânâyâma, The Biomedical Institute of Yoga and Meditation, Pranayama Manual, February 21, 2023 https://biyome.com.au/pranayama-manual/sama-vritti-pranayama/

Box breathing: how to do it and why it matters, Calm https://www.calm.com/blog/box-breathing

Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Pranayama (Yogic Breathing): A Systematic Review, Jayawardena R, Ranasinghe P, Ranawaka H, Gamage N, Dissanayake D, Misra A. International Journal of Yoga, 2020 May-Aug;13(2):99-110 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7336946/

What is Prananyama? Medically Reviewed by C. Nicole Swiner, MD on April 30, 2023, WebMd https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-pranayama

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While visiting with her daughters in Washington State, Mary participated in an indigenous burning ceremony that offered a profound connection with loved ones who have left the physical world. Our latest episode invites you into this sacred space, where we share how performing healing rituals and sharing stories about our loved ones can bring comfort and closure, allowing us to honor their memory in a deeply personal way. We also recount a serendipitous message from a medium, which provided an unexpected sense of peace about a grandchild who passed before birth.

In this episode, we delve into the significance of rituals and collective healing and reflect on the how they contrast with the often performative rituals of our modern culture.

Show Resources
Why Rituals Work, Francesca Gino & Michael I. Norton, Scientific American, May 14, 2013

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-rituals-work/

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What do Reiki, sound baths, animal communication, and QHHT all have in common? In this episode we chat with our guest, Vanessa Ferragut, an experienced Reiki Master Teacher, about the art and science of Reiki, Animal Communication, Sound Baths, and Quantum Hypnosis Healing Technique. Join us for a conversation about the possibilities that unfold when we tap into the energy that connects us all.

Show Resources

Vanessa’s website http://reikinessdc.com/

Vanessa’s upcoming Group Sound Bath events: April 17, 2024 and May 8, 2024 at Sacred Circle, Alexandria, VA. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased by calling Sacred Circle at 703-299-9309. https://sacredcirclebooks.com/

International Center for Reiki Training https://www.reiki.org/

Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique https://www.qhhtofficial.com/

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