Mindfulness Off the Cushion

Season 2 Bonus - Dr Sears guides you through the contemplative practice of exploring the areas of your life where you might be feeling stuck.

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

Host Lance Vaughn, Co-owner of the Austin Mindfulness Center
Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Mindfulness Instructor

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Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, DMin, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine. He is a psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and is also working with the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness and Cincinnati Children's Hospital on projects involving mindfulness.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

See you next time!

Season 2 with Dr Richard Sears -  In this episode of Mindfulness Off the Cushion, we delve deeper into a topic hinted at in Episode 4 - the westernization of mindfulness. Or is it the medicalization of mindfulness? Either way that you shake it, this episode explores the impact mindfulness has on western medicine in general, and on Western therapeutic modalities in particular.

From the surge of American interest in Eastern wisdom traditions to Jon Kabat-Zinn’s groundbreaking development of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), numerous mental health therapy modalities have grown in that fertile soil of personal experience mixed with clinical research in mindfulness. 

We’ll discuss several of these in depth, including:

• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Season 2 Special Guest Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD PhD MBA, core faculty of PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University and Director of The Center for Clinical Mindfulness and Meditation. 

Host Lance Vaughn, co-owner of Austin Mindfulness Center and self-described ‘mindfulness student.’ 

Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Certified Mindfulness Instructor at Austin Mindfulness Center.

Season 2 Bonus - Dr Sears guides as through the process of noticing our thoughts with more compassion and space. 

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

Host Lance Vaughn, Co-owner of the Austin Mindfulness Center
Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Mindfulness Instructor

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Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, DMin, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine. He is a psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and is also working with the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness and Cincinnati Children's Hospital on projects involving mindfulness.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

See you next time!

Season 2 with Dr Richard Sears - In this episode of Mindfulness Off the Cushion, we continue on our journey to understand and apply the healing techniques of mindfulness, with special guest Dr. Richard Sears as our guide. Today, we will explore how mindfulness has grown to become integrated into modern-day therapy and how the practice impacts various presenting issues that patients bring to their therapy sessions. Along the way, we’ll offer up examples of scientific findings correlating mindfulness with physiological changes in our brains, as well as methods we can use to overcome overwhelming thoughts and feelings.

Season 2 Special Guest Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD PhD MBA, core faculty of PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University and Director of The Center for Clinical Mindfulness and Meditation. 

Host Lance Vaughn, co-owner of Austin Mindfulness Center and self-described ‘mindfulness student.’ 

Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Certified Mindfulness Instructor at Austin Mindfulness Center.

Season 2 Bonus - Dr Sears steps us through what is possibly the most powerful mindfulness exercise we can do throughout our day... the three minute breathing space.

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

Host Lance Vaughn, Co-owner of the Austin Mindfulness Center
Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Mindfulness Instructor

--

Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, DMin, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine. He is a psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and is also working with the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness and Cincinnati Children's Hospital on projects involving mindfulness.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

See you next time!

Season 2 with Dr Richard Sears - We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

--

What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

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Season 2 Special Guest

Richard W. Sears, PsyD PhD MBA is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

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Host Lance Vaughn, co-owner of Austin Mindfulness Center and self-described ‘mindfulness student.’ 

Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Certified Mindfulness Instructor at Austin Mindfulness Center.

Season 2 Bonus - What is one small thing you can do each day to realign your mind around what matters most to you?  Our special guest for Season 2 leads you in a guided meditation to help you pay more attention to how you can soften the negative influences you have in your life.

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

Host Lance Vaughn, Co-owner of the Austin Mindfulness Center
Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Mindfulness Instructor

--

Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, DMin, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine. He is a psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and is also working with the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness and Cincinnati Children's Hospital on projects involving mindfulness.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

See you next time!

Season 2 with Dr Richard Sears - In this episode of Mindfulness Off the Cushion, we delve into six common myths of mindfulness: 

• Myth One: Mindfulness Comes from Buddhism
• Myth Two: Mindfulness is About Having a Clear, Empty, or Blank Mind
• Myth Three: When You are Mindful, You Rise Above Your Emotions
• Myth Four: Mindfulness Makes You Happy
• Myth Five: Mindfulness Cures Mental Disorders
• Myth Six: Mindfulness Completely Rewires the Brain

We’ll use a combination of clinical research, discourse, and practical application to dismantle these myths and, hopefully, leave you with at least a few nuggets of truth. 

Remember: myth is not necessarily a falsity. It’s just a way we humans attempt to explain the world. Myths can be powerful containers for deeper truths - truths that can be experienced with the help of a more present mind. 

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

--

Season 2 Special Guest

Richard W. Sears, PsyD PhD MBA is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

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Host Lance Vaughn, co-owner of Austin Mindfulness Center and self-described ‘mindfulness student.’ 

Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Certified Mindfulness Instructor at Austin Mindfulness Center.

Season 2  Bonus - "The feeling of being busy only comes when you’re thinking about what you’re not doing." - Dr. Richard W. Sears

Our special guest for Season 2, Dr. Sears, leads us in a guided meditation around what feeling busy feels like and how we can use mindfulness to alleviate the suffering that often accompanies that feeling. Grounding ourselves in our physical sensations in this present moment can help us when we're feeling overwhelmed, along with the art of saying "thank you" when our thinking mind reminds us of everything that needs to be done.

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

Host Lance Vaughn, Co-owner of the Austin Mindfulness Center
Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Mindfulness Instructor

--

Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, DMin, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine. He is a psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and is also working with the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness and Cincinnati Children's Hospital on projects involving mindfulness.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma. 

See you next week!

Season 2 with Dr Richard Sears -We’re kicking off season two of Mindfulness Off the Cushion podcast - and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be joined by a special guest for the entirety of the season. 

The mission of our podcast is to provide pragmatic, concise, and practical information for everyday folks who are looking for tools to manage the stress and anxiety of life. We apply mindfulness as a skillset that anyone can learn and in turn, apply in their own lives, to drive this mission forward. Ideally, we aim to do so with a bit of the clarity and wisdom that comes from putting this thing called mindfulness into practice - which is exactly why we think you’ll find our special guest to be a very welcome addition to the podcast. 

So, who is this mystery guest? Allow us to introduce you to Dr. Richard Sears. We’ll take some time in this episode to get acquainted, and to let Dr. Sears dig into some of the richly layered life experiences that have led him to become a major contributor to the modern day mindfulness movement. 

We’ll touch on:

• Why ‘the work is never done’
• An extremely varied background in academics, clinical studies, and martial arts
• What mindfulness practitioners and ninjas may have in common
• A once in a lifetime experience with the Dalai Lama
• Dr. Sears’ definitions of meditation vs mindfulness 
• A practice for a busy mind
• And more!

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

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What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

--

Season 2 Special Guest Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD PhD MBA is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma. 

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Host Lance Vaughn, co-owner of Austin Mindfulness Center and self-described ‘mindfulness student.’ 

Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Certified Mindfulness Instructor at Austin Mindfulness Center.