February 10th, 2020

How do you assume form, let your guard down, and let others know you in all of your joy and sorrow? It’s not easy. As the musician James Blake sings, it requires you to “be out of your head” and in your body. Why? Because your head is where your fears, predictions of disaster, and self-doubt (or worse, self-hate) live. If you want to be “touchable” and “reachable”, you need to find ways to work with your fears, to honor them, but not let them be in charge.

Tags: compassion, mindfulness, self-acceptance, self-compassion, self-love
Posted Under | Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »

October 22nd, 2015

The Scene: Two men are talking on the phone, trying to set up a date for the weekend. Sam called Jamal to ask him out on a date. Sam is VERY interested in Jamal, and feeling very vulnerable.

Sam: Do you want to get together this weekend?

The Voice in Sam’s head: He won’t want to see you. He’s got better things to do.

Jamal: Sure, that’d be great.

Sam: When are you free?

Jamal: I’m free all weekend.

Sam: Ok.  Let’s do Saturday night.

The Voice in Sam’s Head: He has nothing better to do so he’ll go out with you.

Read the rest of this page »

Tags: hope, mindfulness, self care, self-love
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »

February 2nd, 2010

I spent the weekend at a workshop exploring insights from mindfulness practices and psychotherapy.  Mindfulness practices include meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, and a host of other activities.  One of the things that stuck with me was how both mindfulness practices and psychotherapy can help a person cultivate a mind like a sky.  But what exactly does that mean?

Tags: hope, mindfulness, therapy
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »