“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
Clear Mind
The human mind jumps around like a monkey. You are not going to stop it, because it is the nature of mind. The question is not whether your mind jumps around. The question is whether you automatically go with it.
On autopilot, our minds are often caught in regrets about the past, worries about the future, and anger, jealousy, or anxiety in the present moment. Mindfulness allows us to come back to the present moment and see reality clearly.
A clear mind sees that thoughts are just thoughts, and does not automatically believe what they say. There is space to recognize that you are not your thoughts, emotions or body. You are the one who is aware of them. A clear mind leads to understanding and wisdom.
Open Heart
An open heart is one that can hold your discomfort and suffering, and the discomfort and suffering of others, with openness, compassion and love. Love that comes from deep within and has the capacity to include everyone. The heart is naturally open, but reactivity causes it to close. You can develop the capacity to refrain from closing your heart. When the heart is open, you feel free.
Freedom
Freedom does not mean you can do what you want or control things. It means you feel free even when things are not as you want. This is your natural state – joy, love, peace and enthusiasm.
However, when we resist difficult experience, we create tension and store negative experiences inside, where they block our natural positive state. These blockages cause a background sense of unease, and trigger us to experience negative emotions over and over again.
The solution is a clear mind and an open heart, which give you the capacity to let go of resistance, touch each moment deeply, and release your blockages. Freedom follows naturally.
A clear mind and an open heart are like two wings of a bird, taking you towards happiness and away from suffering. This website is dedicated to learning how to grow and develop these wings.
“Do not let anything that happens in life be important enough that you’re willing to close your heart over it.”
― Michael A. (Mickey) Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
Approach
I teach mindfulness with an emphasis on dwelling happily in the present moment, experiencing each moment deeply, letting go of resistance, and recognizing that each moment is a gift. I draw on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Michael Singer’s Untethered Soul, Tibetan Awareness of Awareness, and others.
Experience
I’ve practised mindfulness and meditation since 2000 and guided since 2008. I spent over a year studying with Thich Nhat Hanh and am a member of the Order of Interbeing. I’ve also experienced a great many retreats with such teachers as Michael Singer, Ken McLeod, Shinzen Young, and Dan Schmidt.
Living Untethered Course
What can you do each day to release yourself from fear and discover the natural joy and peace that are within you, always? Learn to let go! This 8-week course, based on the book, will teach you how to do just that.
Consultations
How can you see your own blind spots? To understand and transform your mind can be difficult to do without the help of a friend on the path. I find the biggest insights come when working one-on-one with people. That’s why my course includes one-on-one consultations,
“What you resist persists.”
― Carl Jung
This website is brand new, and very much a work in progress. I will be adding blog posts, resources (guided meditations, links to great mindfulness groups, etc.), and a newsletter signup! If you wish to contact me, please email laurieclearmind [at] gmail.com.