Attitudes 

Compassion

"You can search the whole tenfold universe and not find a single being more worthy of love and compassion than the one seated here yourself." - Buddha

Developing compassion and kindness towards ourselves is an ongoing practice and fundamental to the practice of Mind Training.

Non-Judging

Judgements of ourselves and others often happen automatically and outside of our awareness. These judgements can drive our words and behaviours and can, at times, cause problems for ourselves and others. Developing an attitude of openness and non-judgement can assist us in the practice of mind training and ultimately in our life.

Non-Striving

The attitude of non-striving could be very foreign to you.  Non-striving is about letting everything be as it is, without changing anything.

Non-striving encourages an attitude of allowing things to unfold in their own time...not pushing to find the answers when perhaps no answers are to be found in that moment. In our society we are often very goal oriented...this is not a bad thing...however, it is important to learn (re-learn) how to not strive...to just be.

Patience

Patience is a form of wisdom. We recognize that certain things must unfold in their own time. When we plant a seed, it takes awhile for the seed to sprout (often much longer than we think) and then even longer for a plant to begin to form. It takes even more patience to wait for a flower to bloom. This practice requires patience with ourselves. Give yourself time with this practice and don't expect flowers too quickly, give your practice a chance to grow. At least dedicat 8 weeks of daily time to this mind training or 3-5 times per week. You will begin to also see that this practice assists to cultivate patience.

Letting Go

Do you have thoughts that repeat themselves? Do you find that you get stuck on the same problem, over and over trying to think your way to a solution? Do you find that it is sometimes so hard to let go of these thoughts? Well...you are not alone. This is a common experience. There is also a way to out of this...an escape hatch. Mind training assists us in cultivating an attitude of letting go of training the mind to be at ease. By training in letting go, we learn HOW to let go...and then EXPERIENCE the freedom of letting go.

Acceptance/Acknowledgement

How are you feeling? Now can you really feel it without needing to change it in anyway. Can you open to accepting or acknowledging what is here right now...even if it is painful. This is what Mind Training asks of us. It encourages us to have the courage to face things as they are...to live more authentically, seeing things clearly and calmly, moment by moment without the need to change them right now. This practice is not about complacency...but about taking the time to determine what action is skillful and helpful for long-term happiness not short-term gratification. 

Curiousity/Beginner's mind

Can I approach this moment with the feeling of no expectations...allowing whatever will be to be? Practicing with beginner's mind, reminds us that this is a new moment...an opportunity to see things with a fresh perspective.

Trust

Trust your ability to pay attention, you already are paying attention if you are reading this. The practice requires just a basic level of trust in yourself. Trust in your ability to be awake and alert in this moment. 

Trust a 2500 year old practice that encourages active investigation of how things are. This practice invites us to work to develop a steadiness of heart and mind in order to ascertain things accurately.

Commitment

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.   -Goethe

Your Mind Training journey begins today. It is up to you to continue this practice. 

Use this website and the Mind Training practice to guide you through difficult or dark times.

*Please note...this website is not a substitute for therapy or medication. If you have questions be sure to connect with a trained therapist as well as your psychiatrist about how these practices may be of benefit to you as an adjunct to current treatment.