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
Are You With Me or Against Me? | Dr. Laura Delizonna, Stanford University | Google Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI)
Race, Inequity & Mental Health | Dr. Jennifer Mullan, Decolonizing Therapy
Outing Your Discomfort | Dr. Vinny Chulani
Conscious Co-Working | Susan Madsen
NYC Street Connect | Janille Hill
Productivity and Connection | Yamini Naidu
Shadows and Light | Atiaf Alwazir
Wholly Human | Omar Davis
That which is Ungrieved | Marty Cooper
Living Room Conversations Is Creating Effective Action | Joan Blade
Better Angels is Putting Out the Political Polarization Fire | John Wood
A Golden Civilization | George Kinder
The Sixth Stage of Grief | David Kessler
Parker Palmer On Navigating White Priviledge
The First Step In Becoming Racially Literate | Dr. Howard C. Stevenson
Dr. Christian Conte is moving Inmates beyond their Anger
Cultivating a Fierce Heart | Spring Washam
Addiction, Art & Recovery | Adriana Marchione
Storytelling for Connection | Antonio Sacre, UCLA Lab School
Culture Changes Through Open Dialogue | Dr. Nadja Rossman, Cultural Anthropologist and Evolve Magazine Editor
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