Exploring Awareness

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"Find Peace and Joy in the most unlikely places". Season One Season One of the Exploring Awareness Podcast provides listeners a dual learning opportunity. First, to learn about and, through guided meditations, experience Mindful Awareness, Being and Presence and the innate Peace, Joy, Compassion that come from this practice. Starting with the first episode and listening through to episode 62, you will increasingly understand how a Mindful Awareness perspective connects one back to the essence of being. Secondly, listeners will witness the awakening of the co-host Lisa Barry, a long-time on-air radio broadcast interviewer for her local NPR station. Witness her awakening as she questions, struggles, and then integrates these concepts and practices until her untimely death. Episode 63, grieving her death, is an example of applying Mindful Awareness to grief, with the help of David Whyte's poem, The Well of Grief. Lisa called this process a "Big Fun Journey", and although the process of awakening can be difficult, you will see that realizing the expansiveness and freedom from knowing one's authentic self transforms the day-to-day concerns of a pre-occupied mind into Presence and Being. From our original description- Join Lisa Barry, a long-time on-air radio broadcast interviewer and Frank Anderson MD MPH professor at the University of Michigan Medical School and School of Public Health on a journey to explore ways that provide another approach to look at and deal with life to enjoy each day as it unfolds- whatever happens. Learn from lively discussions as two people on a path of self-discovery, share conversations about mindfulness and other techniques and decide for yourself if a shift in perspective can lead to a more authentic life experience informed by an innate and ever-present peace, joy, generosity and love. This podcast is a resource for those interested in starting a journey to deeper meaning in life and who may be looking for a unique way to get started. Experienced Mediators, or those who have never tried...burned out professionals, overwhelmed students and anyone exploring the issues of sexual, gender and racial identities will find tools to increase comfort and personal agency. No matter where you are in your journey, there are lessons shared both practical and inspirational to help anyone live a more balanced and self-aware life. (Music provided by htpps://www.purple-planet.com) **This web site/podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide specific medical advice, nor does use of the site establish a physician-patient relationship. The use of the information provided in this podcast does not replace medical consultation with a qualified health or medical professional to meet the health and medical needs of you or others.

Episode List

Episode 1: Why Exploring Awareness?

Jan 30th, 2020 4:02 AM

In this first Episode, Frank and Lisa set the stage with an interesting discussion of awareness, meditation and mindfulness, explore the question - Who Are You - and provide a brief guided awareness meditation at the end.

Episode 2: Re-discovering your true self

Feb 9th, 2020 3:10 AM

In this wide ranging discussion, Frank and Lisa explore the question "who are you?" This episode starts with David Whyte's poem Tilicho Lake, and discuss the astonishment when one sees the "true shape of their own face"- yet, when discussing a goal, the focus becomes on the journey of self discovery rather than the destination. We also talk a bit about awareness of thoughts. There's a transformational component to awareness and when one becomes aware of thoughts, they dissolve as the perspective towards thoughts shifts. Meditation builds your "awareness muscle"-Overthinking takes us out of the present moment and leads to reactivity. An awareness perspective allows a "response" instead of a "reaction". Meditation can be our "pilot project" as it is done quiet peaceful setting, and this sense of awareness can carry through to our every day lives. These, and other hard to put into words concepts were discussed, we hope you enjoy and get something out of the conversation. The episode ends with a guided meditation, Mindfulness of the Breath.

Episode 3: Identifying as Awareness

Feb 10th, 2020 1:11 AM

In this episode Lisa and Frank talk about "identifying as" or "resting as awareness." Frank suggests "identifying as awareness" goes back to the "who are you" question. Interesting questions arise such as, Are you your thoughts? Are you your conditioning? Are you your situation or are you the awareness of those things? He adds that is why we are exploring awareness and meditating so we can have the realization that you can "identify as awareness" and "rest as awareness." Resting as awareness changes everything. You're turning in and tuning in to the Awareness where stress doesn't even exist - finding what's true is the present moment right here inside! Lisa shares a story from a book by Oriah mountain dreamer, where the author was annoyed by a questioning retreat participant, and wonders if Frank is also annoyed by her questions, but ultimately it's about what we all may be looking for on this journey, including a consideration of the unity of all beings, concluding with the thought "act out of Love...no matter what."- from the bottom up. This episode also includes a guided Body Scan mindful awareness meditation.

Episode 4: Trusting your Deepest Truth

Feb 14th, 2020 2:58 AM

In this episode, hear Frank and Lisa discuss how awareness of the breath is the first tool, or doorway for opening to awareness and consciousness. They continue to explore awareness of the breath and body, and introduce how awareness of thoughts continues one on this journey. They discuss the questions and struggles that this type of awareness brings, and how discovering your own truth may lead to a "change in lane" that leads to a different way of being lead by an innate sense of compassion, peace, joy and generosity. The episode has an awareness of thoughts guided meditation and an invitation to start a daily meditation practice.

Episode 5: Oh those Emotions!!

Feb 21st, 2020 8:15 PM

In this episode, Frank and Lisa discuss emotions which can often include some that might make you feel uncomfortable. We talk about how burying or pushing down some emotions could bring up thoughts or problems you weren't even aware of and lead to experiencing even more difficult emotions. We discuss how becoming aware of emotions and allowing them to be - as they are in the present moment -is ultimately an act of compassion. We introduce a tool for working with emotions, RAIN- Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture with compassion. Handling emotions this way is an act of trust that requires a little bit of faith that there is another way to be. Being aware of your emotions just may help you find that place of wisdom joy and love and compassion -in yourself- that leads to healing.

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