awareness Archives | Ed and Deb Shapiro

Why Meditation Can Appear So Challenging

May 28, 2019 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

What is it about something as simple as sitting still and watching our breath that evokes panic or even fear? No matter how much information there is proving the mental, emotional and physical value of meditation, there seems to be as many people who resist giving it a try. No doubt meditation can be challenging, […]

Filed Under: awareness, happiness, inner life, meditation, mindfulness, presence, relaxation Tagged With: awareness, compassion, ego trip, fear, freedom, happiness, inner life, inspiration, meditation, mindfulness, self-imrovement

What’s The Big Fuss About Mindfulness & Meditation?

May 11, 2019 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

It’s really happening! Mindfulness and meditation are infiltrating our lives like old friends. But this poses a conundrum. With health reports saying we would all benefit practicing mindfulness and meditation, and with classes easily available, why do many of us ignore this or find excuses not to try? How ironic that the best things for […]

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Is There A Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation?

April 18, 2019 by Ed and Deb Shapiro 1 Comment

Nowadays, mindfulness and meditation are often used to mean the same thing, which can be confusing, while not many of us are clear on what ‘mindfulness meditation’ is and how it differs from either of the above. So here’s our version: Mindfulness is being aware. It’s noticing and paying attention to thoughts, feelings, behavior, and […]

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If Nothing Ever Changed There Would Be No Cherry Blossom

March 4, 2019 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change. — John Fitzgerald Kennedy Do you notice how one moment you can be ecstatically happy and then, just as easily, you can be depressed or sad? Or how something is good and then turns sour, like a delicious mango that becomes rotten? The world […]

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Mindfulness Stops Negativity from Sticking Like Glue

February 9, 2019 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

Did you ever get into a heated argument with someone over a meaningless issue, only to find it constantly replaying itself in your head, as if it’s stuck to you like glue? You don’t want to think of the other person yet now you’re attached to them; despite the situation or encounter being over, it […]

Filed Under: awareness, inner life, mindfulness Tagged With: anger, awareness, happiness, inner life, inspiration, mindfulness, negativity, self-imrovement, stress

A Letter From Santa: Oh Yes We Can!

December 13, 2018 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

We consider Santa to be the greatest mindfulness practitioner, given his powers of awareness. We have said before how Santa is multi-talented: He makes us to do good and feel good. Now that’s a big one, as many of us often act selfishly and badly. He gives to everyone, all over the world, all at […]

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Mindful Relaxation Will Change Your Life

November 14, 2018 by Ed and Deb Shapiro 1 Comment

Our human life is the means we have to be deeply at peace and to realize our true nature. Yet it can often appear far too full of problems, disappointments and suffering to realize such truths; we get too preoccupied with self-survival and self-preservation to reach for a greater meaning beyond ourselves. And although we […]

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The Art of Mindful Relaxation And Why We Need It

October 18, 2018 by Ed and Deb Shapiro 1 Comment

I was discussing stress at a mindfulness retreat when Joe, an attendee, shared how he didn’t get stressed over any one thing because everything was stressful to him, so he would wake up already stressed. Sound familiar? We have all experienced stress and anxiety, its close companion. In small doses stress it can heighten awareness, […]

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MINDFUL RELAXATION: The Coolest Way To Release Stress

September 10, 2018 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

Ever wondered what the biggest problem in life is? Yes, it’s the inability to relax! This is a true story: I met John at a stress-release workshop I was teaching in Scotland. He was a schoolteacher in a run down area of Glasgow. As if that wasn’t hard enough, he was a history teacher, a […]

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Love Works – But May Need Some Help

June 20, 2018 by Ed and Deb Shapiro Leave a Comment

Every one of us, both directly and indirectly, affect each other. Yet relationship can create such untold problems! Sitting in solitary bliss with our heart wide open and love pouring out toward all beings is relatively easy, but as soon as we come into direct contact with another person then how easily all our good […]

Filed Under: awareness, happiness, inner life, joy, love, meditation Tagged With: awareness, happiness, inner life, inspiration, joy, kindness, meditation