Everyday Mindfulness

Hi everyone,
I've appreciated this forum for some time, but never took the time to jump in and converse myself (which I so often do, as an introvert of sorts). This is something I've been working on, so I'd like to start by introducing myself.

This may seem a contradiction to the above paragraph, but I write weekly at Buddhaimonia.com, record the twice-weekly podcast Zen for Everyday Life and I just finished my third book. Everything I create within what I just mentioned is mindfulness practiced-centered, with a flair for Zen and Buddhist wisdom (at least, from the Zen aspect, what can be put into words in a basic beginners way) as that is the perspective with which I approach mindfulness practice from.

The practice of mindfulness changed my life in ways I find hard to put into words, so I find great joy in bringing the practice to others. I'm still learning and don't assume to have some sort of advanced understanding of the practice (perhaps partly because Zen encourages me to never think so) and so gear most of what I create towards beginners taking up the practice and making their way through the process of "making friends with themselves", a phrase I use often from the late Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche because I feel it perfectly sums up much of what mindfulness practice is about, at least, the aspect of facing our internal challenges.

My intention is to learn from everyone while providing whatever value I can. Thank you for having me.

Hi Matt,
Welcome to the forum! Very interesting to read your introduction. We're glad to have you here. I look forward to reading your future posts.

Peter

Hi Matt,
Welcome to Everyday Mindfulness. Good to have you on board.
I look forward to checking out Buddhaimonia.com and the Zen for Everyday Life podcast. Are you writing a book at present?
All good things,
Jon, Hove

Welcome

I like the phrase and look forward to reading your contributions.

Thank you for the warm (and quick) welcome Peter, Jon and Happyogababe. No, I'm not currently writing another book right now. I feel like I said everything I wanted to for now in this recent book. I'd like to now help my readers by taking part of the material and creating a course. I'm excited for it because I believe it's a better medium for actually creating "results". By that I mean actually applying the material presented, as opposed to just throwing the book in their bookshelf and walking away, which is so easy to do (I've done this so many times, even with books I loved).

If there's anywhere that I've placed my focus with regards to my material, it's in the effort to make mindfulness a way of life. To me, in the beginning, this is of the utmost importance. To go from how we're used to living (for the most part, mindlessly along with our various habitual patterns) to not just trying out meditation once or some mindfulness practice a few times, but to really make it a daily practice. However, a lot of people tell me that's the major hurdle. That is, to get over old habitual patterns and really integrate the practice into their life long-term. Hence, that's what the course will likely be centered on.

That sounds like a worthwhile project and will be helpful for a new practitioner. When I discovered mindfulness years ago I didn't understand the concept as I do now. The difference this time around was by reading Eric Harrison's book, it was concise and I understood what he taught. I 'clicked' and what a huge difference it's making to my life. This forum is very supportive and has helped me to develop, along with the book by Mark Williams.

I wish you all the best with your venture

"If there's anywhere that I've placed my focus with regards to my material, it's in the effort to make mindfulness a way of life. To me, in the beginning, this is of the utmost importance. "

I couldn't agree more.
Books undoubtedly have their place and I know people, including members of this forum, who have grounded themselves in mindfulness via a book. But, to my mind, there's no substitute for a good teacher.
I'd be very interested to hear how your course develops, Matt.
All good things,
Jon

Thank you to both of you, I appreciate the kind words and support. I will keep you posted.

Welcome! I have listened to several episodes of your podcast. It's very calming and inspiring!

Thank you Debbieko, I appreciate it.