A diagnosis of cancer can change a person’s life in the blink of an eye. And the feeling of helplessness that often accompanies it can remain even after recovery. So how can we help people regain a sense of control over their lives after they’ve experienced cancer? There’s actually a unique program aimed at helping […]
The Polyvagal Theory: Looking at Trauma through a New Lens
Can trauma haunt the body the same way it haunts memories? According to Stephen Porges, PhD, not only does the body remember a traumatic experience, but it can actually get stuck in the trauma response mode. So even when life becomes safe, the body still perceives danger and its defenses stay engaged. Why does this […]
Treating PTSD with Mindfulness-based Trauma Therapy
Soldiers in a war zone experience more trauma in a week than many others experience in their lives . . . . . . but it still feels like our tools for treating trauma aren’t quite sufficient. Mindfulness meditation could be a powerful healing intervention – but does it work with soldiers? The early research […]
Mindfulness Meditation – A New Way to Handle Fear
What are you afraid of? For some of us, answering this question can be difficult – and it’s not because we don’t have fears . . . . . . it’s because we don’t want to face them. And it makes sense – facing down what we fear can feel utterly terrifying. But Jack Kornfield, […]
Mindfulness and Emotional Acceptance: The Power of Yes
Has anyone seen the Jim Carrey film “Yes Man”? In this film, he decides to change his unsatisfactory life by saying yes to everything. While he ends up modifying his yes stance somewhat, he may have been on to something. Mindfulness practitioners for many years have understood the effects that saying “no” can have on […]