Maya Talisman Frost

Article

Hate to Meditate? Start Playing With Mindfulness Instead!

In a culture that embraces Adderall, paying attention has become the most sought-after skill for those looking for a competitive edge. From blurry-eyed college applicants to top executives, the ability to focus on what matters most is the key to coping—and competing—despite the stresses of daily life.nnHow do frazzled folks find calm and clarity in the middle of chaos? According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), an estimated 10 mil

July 19, 2007

Article

Mindfulness and Conversation: Northwest Earth Institute Plants Powerful Seeds

A few years ago, I was the national outreach coordinator for theNorthwest Earth Institute in Portland,Oregon.nnIt was a very cool job. All day long,I talked to people across the countrywho were interested in gathering oncea week with a few friends, neighbors or co-workers in order to discover moreabout their ideas, values, and habitsaffecting their relationship with theEarth.nnDick and Jeanne Roy, the co-founders of NWEI, had no expectations when they first made a few copies

April 18, 2006

Article

Mindfulness and Clarity: What's In Your Pot?

No matter how enthusiastically we embrace theconcept of simplifying our lives, things have a way of getting complicated. nnPerfect example: My family sold nearly everything and moved to Mazatlan, Mexico to explore living with less stuff and more fun. And it's been working beautifully. It's amazing how much less there is toworry about when, well, you have less.nnHere's my favorite equation: 6 people (4.5 drivers) x 0 cars = 0 car insurance/maintenance/gas/worries about being o

March 9, 2006

Article

Mindfulness and Tango: Passion and Possibilities

My husband and I went to see a production of "Forever Tango!" presented at the Angela Peralta Theater just two blocks from our home here in Mazatlan. nnAfter all, since we're moving to Argentina in July, we need to learn more about tango, which was born in Buenos Aires back in the late 1800s. nnIt was a great show--passionate dancing, stirring music, spectacular costumes. But I wanted to know more about how this dance form started, so I did a little research on the history of

February 27, 2006

Article

Mindfulness and Stress: Unwrapping Your Package

What triggers stress for you? nnMost people think they know exactly what pushes their buttons, but they're going for the low-hanging fruit. It's the stuff that's hanging in the hard-to-reach branches that tends to multiply our feelings of frustration, exhaustion and disconnection.nnOne client--let's call him Scott--told me that he knows very well what causes stress for him: "My boss, the fact that he won't give me a promotion, and my stack of bills to pay." nnWell, isn't that

February 3, 2006

Article

Mindfulness and Contemplation: New Ways to Navel Gaze

There's been a lot of talk about navels in our house lately. You see, my youngest daughter is asking to get hers pierced, and we are saying no--for now. So, naturally, I have been noticing navels more than usual.nnThe term "navel-gazing" means indulgent contemplation, and that's an interesting concept. Is it possible to be indulgent when it comes to contemplation? Can we get TOO caught up in it? nnI'm not too worried about over-contemplation. As long as we are mindful, we are

November 17, 2005

Article

Mindfulness and Empathy: Using The News

As we watch the news about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, it is easy to become much more caught up in the horror and anguish part of the disaster instead of the opportunity to deepen our own ability to feel empathy and act purposefully.nnIronically, just prior to the hurricane hitting New Orleans, I was interviewed by two major magazines about the topic of empathy and how we can use the news as a trigger for mindfulness beyond the obvious information-sharing abo

September 8, 2005

Article

Mindfulness and Flirting: Seizing The Moment

Have you ever been called a flirt? nnGood for you!nnYou see, flirting is an excellent indication that you are Paying Attention. nnIn fact, it is impossible to flirt without being mindful. You can’t be all wrapped up in your thoughts, or distracted by worries about tomorrow. You are Right There, in the moment, picking up on subtle signals and dealing out your own.nnMindfulness requires these four steps:nn• Noticing something new (“Hmmm…he’s attractive.”)n• Making

August 20, 2005

Article

Mindfulness and Eating: Divine Desk Dining

Are you stuck eating lunch at your desk again? nnLucky you. nnYou see, staying put can be surprisingly soothing compared to making a mad dash to the cafe for a sandwich and running back to your office, all the while worried that you’ll miss an important call. nnIf you feel chained to your desk, try viewing it instead as a powerful anchor that keeps you from drifting mindlessly.nnDesk dining can be the epitome of mindlessness—or a remarkable opportunity to slow down, recon

July 8, 2005

Article

Mindfulness and Independence: Observing Fireworks

“It’s a free country,” they say. “Celebrate our independence,” I hear.nnWell, I’m all for having a party, but it strikes me that you don’t have to be an American to appreciate freedom, and doing what I’m told isn’t the best way to exercise independence.nnSo, let’s expand that notion of freedom just a bit, and look at how we can become more aware of the fireworks that are lighting up our minds.nnWhat sets off your mental fireworks? What ignites your persona

June 28, 2005

Article

Mindfulness and Perspective: Getting Hip

Diane is one of my favorite clients. n nA warm and engaging woman, she is a nloving grandmother and a talented painter. We worked—I think of it as playing, really—together a while back to help her reignite her creative energy after a major move.nnDiane was scheduled for hip replacement surgery recently, and she sent me a little note saying she was looking at it as an opportunity for greater mindfulness.nnDo you see why I love her? nnOne benefit of mindfulness is an increa

June 23, 2005

Article

Mindfulness and Education: Teachers, Make It Fun

As a mindfulness trainer, I’m a big fan of promoting greater mindfulness in the classroom. However, it’s interesting to me that those who seem to be the most thoughtful and passionate proponents of mindfulness in education are the ones most likely to be trapped by their limited thinking. nnNow, don’t get me wrong.nnI praise those who introduce silence, stillness and contemplation among students. I applaud those who explain the concept of mindfulness and invite their cha

June 15, 2005

Website

Real-World Mindfulness Training

Real-World Mindfulness Training offers powerful, playful techniques for developing greater awareness while boosting creativity. If you're ready for a new flavor of mindfulness, stop by for a taste at http://www.Real-WorldMindfulness.com

September 23, 2007

Website

The Mind Masseuse

September 23, 2007