Have you ever thought about walking a balance beam, or a gyroscope, or a tightrope walker? One is continually thrown off balance, but is every time instantly hit with the need to readjust and maintain poise. Equanimity is just that- the practice of balancing one’s mind to contain and open up to pain and discomfort while tuning it to revert to calmness.
In a moving episode today, Traci is joined by Oren Jay Sofer, founder and Guiding Teacher of Next Step Dharma, an innovative online course focused on bringing the tools of meditation to daily life, and co-founder of Mindful Healthcare. He is also the author of the book “Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication”, and has created mindfulness programs for a number of organizations, companies, and apps.
Growing up with a mentally ill-family member, Oren was faced with the obligation to stay pretentious of his feelings and needs. And when things started falling apart in multiple ways, Oren turned to meditation and spirituality. Listen in as Oren expounds on his directional journey learning from his Buddhist teachers in India, understanding pain, empathy, humanity and non-violent communication, and housing the deep well of pain inside ourselves while generating equanimity to stay from decentering our thoughts. Oren has also shared how important it is to be willing to hold discomfort- for if we are seeking to transform the society, then no part of our action should come out of control and reactivity.
Understanding society for its diversity and disproportion, and sitting down to listen to each other could phenomenally transform our relationships with people. We hope the power of Oren’s words reflect in each of your lives, and modulate all your thinking for the better!
Episode Timeline:
Resources Mentioned:
Standout Quotes:
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
At sidewalk-talk.org
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
At Traciruble.com
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Oren Jay Sofer
At orenjaysofer.com
On Instagram: @orenjaysofer
On Facebook: @OrenJaySofer
On Twitter: @orenjaysofer
On YouTube: @Oren Jay Sofer
Sara Huang gives us permission to encounter our inner diversity | Sara Huang
A conversation on spiritual practice in today’s world | Philip Goldberg
The duality of narcissism and how to elevate trust in our relationships | Dr. Keith Campbell
On mothering, nature, and being on the same team | Jill Doneen Clifton
When Wisdom Meets Innocence | Brad Montague
Connection and belonging: a necessary and insightful conversation | Jane Cunningham
A conversation on mental health in the church | Rev. Barbara F. Meyers
Integrating compassion into everyday lives | Lori Gottlieb
Incredible Ways To Spread Empathy with Daily Haloha | Amy Giddon
Perfectly Paired, A Love Story | Bonny Meyer
Embracing All Our Parts Grows Our Compassion For Others | Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, Internal Family Systems
Trauma & Recovery: A Healing Journey | Dr. Jamie Marich
Learning About the Enemies of Listening | Dr. Guy Itzchakov
Children’s Mental Health | Dr. Roseann Capanna Hodge
Spiritual Sustenance for Angry Times | Karen Brailsford
What Relationship Science Tells Us About Loneliness and Intimacy | Dr. Harry Reis
Can Covid-19 Begin to Heal Our Disconnected and Unjust Society? | Dr. Fay Bound Alberti
Breathing Room and the Power of a Pause | Jamie McHugh
Music to the Soul | Dr. Elliot Gann
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