In this episode Fred LaMotte shares his gift to describe the connection to the divine through poetry.

He shares delightful stories and some snippets of his beautiful writing. This episode is full of doorways to enter the world of true wonders that is all around us, and that we most often miss in this busy life. Fred is a master to describe true mindful living in a way that is grounded and full of humor.

Listen in and feel nurtured and inspired to pause and connect to the abundant beauty of this world.

amazon.com/author/alfredlamotte

In this episode, Heidi and I talk Mindfulness 101. What is mindfulness, and how can you cultivate more awareness in your life? We share our own entry points into meditation and what keeps us going. This conversation is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and myth busters. We explore how to free ourselves from the inner critic and other unhelpful habits.

We talk about how being centered and happy is possible and needed, especially in these times and how to cultivate it. Heidi shares about the nature retreats she offers and how the natural world is a tranformative place to practice.

Are you longing to simplify your life and find more quality time and meaning? Are you wondering how to slow down the hamster wheel you are on? In this conversation with Andy Couturier, we talk about his book, “The Abundance of Less” and how it is inviting us to slow down. It inspires us to find more purpose in our daily lives.

The book profiles ten men and women who have left mainstream life in urban Japan to live surrounded by the luxuries of nature, art, friends, homegrown food, and an abundance of time. They manifest each one in their own way a life which is sustainable, deeply meaningful, and full of creativity and connection to each other and the land.

This is an invitation to reconnect with your inner values.

https://theopening.org/instructor/

https://www.flurinaniggli.com/

In this episode I have the pleasure of talking with Daiko, the head priest of Rinzai Zen Temple "Daishu in West." We talk about how Daiko starts and follows the Zen path and what it means to be a leader of a small Zen Temple in California.

Have you ever wondered how a regular day looks like in a Zen Temple? What does it actually mean to practice Zen 24/7? What are some core questions and discoveries on this path? What is Freedom?

https://daishuinwest.org/

https://www.essenceoflifesangha.com/

https://www.flurinaniggli.com/

My guest in this edition of Mindful Mud is Rhonda V. Magee, law professor, mindfulness practitioner and founding Director of the Center for Contemplative Law and Ethics at the University of San Francisco. She is the author of "The Inner Work of Racial Justice, Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness.

In this episode, we have a conversation about how we can raise awareness in ourselves and in our environment about our own biases. We explore what builds separation and how to confront racial injustice and move towards healing and hope together. 

You will hear from different community voices as this lively conversation unfolds.

more about Rhonda

more about Flurina

 Are you curious how Mindfulness can be taught in schools and support social emotional learning? This episode's guest is Gordie Hunt, a middle school teacher. We talk about Mindfulness in schools generally and the program I have been running in the middle school Gordie is teaching in.

Hear about the transformational power of mindfulness practices for students and teachers. We discuss some of the science behind it, and our experiences from a mindfulness facilitator and a classroom teacher's perspective.

Mindfulness is an effective way to change school culture, nurturing a safe and less stressful learning environment.

Note: the mentioned organization ‘Mindful Schools’ has since closed its doors.

In this episode we explore how to implement positive change in one's own life, that is aligned with the heart. No matter if it is a change in eating, exercise or rest habits, we explore how to actually approach it so you won't fail. My guest is Russell Munsell, he has a four decade professional career in training individuals to explore their human capacities, maximize the full potential and achieving what is possible beyond perceived limitations.

To learn more about Russell go to https://dynamicvitality.com/about-our-experience/

My guest Naoko Moller describes the art of preparing food in a loving and funny way. Get inspired to bring more purpose to your cooking.

Naoko is a food activist and Japanese cooking connoisseur.

She was born in a Zen Buddhist temple in Niigata, Japan, raised in Hawaii and in Japan at Zen Buddhist temples. 

She learned how to cook by assisting her mother from an early age and as a minister's wife by cooking for large groups at Zen Buddhist temples.

This episode is full of stories and ideas how to bring more mindfulness into preparing your meals.

More info at https://en.oneplatezen.com/

Or flurinaniggli.com

In this episode, I have a conversation with Kira M. Markoff, author of the book: Mindfulness and Me, a Practical Guide for Living. We talk about many ways folks can integrate meditation into their daily lives. The book is written as an eight-week guide with fifty-six different practices, one for each day. Playfully, we look at different ways anyone can integrate more mindfulness. 

Description: This is a lively conversation with a handful of my meditation students. We are talking about how a regular meditation practice has changed their lives. What it means to meditate in a Sangha, and feel the support of a regular group. 

We touch on the challenges and gains of the practice and how it can be applied into daily life.

Essence of Life Sangha meets every week on Wednesdays on Zoom and in person, everyone is welcome. https://www.essenceoflifesangha.com/