Mindfulness Mode

Dr. Arnie Kozak is an author, psychotherapist and a teacher of Buddhism. He’s written a number of books about mindfulness, and has recently penned a new book called Buddhism 101: [From Karma to the Four Noble Truths, Your Guide To Understanding The Principles of Buddhism.]  Back in the 1980’s, before mindfulness was as popular as today, Dr. Kozak traveled to India and became immersed in Buddhism and mindfulness. He took the Bodhisattva vows from His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Now he shares his insights with the world, through his extensive writing and training. Contact Info Website: www.arniekozak.com Website: www.exquisitemind.com Most Influential Person Larry Rosenberg (founder and teacher at Cambridge Insight Meditation Center) Effect on Emotions Well, it certainly has made me more aware of them over the years. People tend to regard me as being mellow even when I don't necessarily feel that way, but it has had a mellowing affect on me. Not to say it has expunged all of my negative emotions like anger. And I certainly write about these things in my books, my mindfulness lapses. But on the whole, it's helped me to be more at peace, more what we call equanimity, just be more accepting of things, to be more engaged with things. Thoughts on Breathing You know, we really don't need to think about breathing, it's a very elemental process. Although there are ways of breathing that are going to be helpful and beneficial, so if we get very tight and are not letting a lot of air into our lungs then that's going to tend to make us more tense and anxious and feel stressed. Over time, and I've been doing this over 30 years now, I do what you call diaphragmatic breathing, so my natural breaths, my regular  breath is a very deep breath and it tends to slow and when I practice, when I do the meditation practice, sometimes my breath becomes almost imperceptible, just very, very subtle. Usually I know when I'm breathing and everything is slowing and can come back to that. The more you practice the more readily you can come back to that when you're off the mark. Suggested Resources Book: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn Book: Buddhism 101: From Karma to the Four Noble Truths, Your Guide to Understanding the Principles of Buddhism by Arnie Kozak App: Timer App

Jonathan Pritchard reads minds. He’s performed on Vegas main stages, appeared on America’s Got Talent, and entertained troops stationed overseas. He’s considered a touring mentalist. All of his skills are based on applied psychology. And now he’ll take you behind the mental curtain and show you how to use the same psychology in your life. Jonathan is also an expert martial arts instructor. He thinks of the physical practice of martial arts as a moving meditation, much like Yoga. He explains it's all about creating & maintaining healthy boundaries, and being aware of your own thoughts & behaviors. Contact Info Website: LikeAMindreader.com Most Influential Person Robert Pirsig (Author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) Effect on Emotions Mindfulness has really helped me not use my emotions as justification for poor behavior. I like to think about emotions more as a barometer for how well my needs are being met. Then, thinking about the needs that are not being met, what's the best way, the best strategy that helps the most people to get what it is that I need right now? Instead of just lashing out or being grumpy for no reason. It's all based on communication skills. The more effectively you can communicate, the easier your needs are met, the better your relationships get. Thoughts on Breathing Oh man, we think we're really good at breathing because it's something we do all the time, but oh lord, we're really bad at breathing. Just focusing on your breathing and doing deep-breath exercises ... breathing is your link between your conscious mind, which is such a small part of your awareness and your physical being that is you. Breathing is kind of the bridge between those two. The more you focus on your breathing, and practice your breathing, the better you get at being in your body instead of feeling like you're just this brain driving this big meat puppet. Suggested Resources Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill App: Google Keep Bullying Story I definitely was bullied in elementary school. Being quiet, being weird, I was easy prey. There is a guy that used to call me names. I was a very sensitive child so I would come home crying and just kind of learn to endure it. That was the path that I chose. Later in life, I've come to understand that that makes more sense for them than it does me. It says more about them than my self-worth or my ability to do whatever. Understanding that it's not a commentary on my skills, but also really, truly believing that everybody is doing the best they know how even the bully. A lot of times, I feel like a lot of bullies feel like they're doing you a favor. You're weird, you're weak. People are going to take advantage of that so you need to toughen up. So I'm helping you. This is how I know how to help you. Totally misguided, maybe not the most effective way to do it. When you wrap your head around that, you understand that they are trying the best that they know how and in some bizarre leap of logic, they think this is the best thing to be doing right now. That's really difficult for kids to handle. That is a level of awareness and presence that we aren't taught in school. That is not what is culturally approved of.  

Engel Jones is all about conversation. So much so, that he set out to break a podcast conversational record. He recorded 1001 conversations in 3 months. He’s host of the podcast – Twelve Minute Convos, he’s an Entrepreneur and Life Coach. He loves helping you create a brand of yours through his personal formula called YOURS, an acronym for Your Own Unique Real Self. Engel is from the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, and lives there with his wife, Amanda and their 2 children. Contact Info Website: 12MinuteConvos.com Podcast: 12MinuteConvos.com [show-notes-contact] Most Influential Person Hal Elrod (Author of The Miracle Morning) Effect on Emotions Mindfulness has helped me to become more stabilized. Thoughts on Breathing I stand on my head every morning and breathe deeply. That really brings a peace and calmness and is also great for my back. In situations now, I catch myself breathing as a first response to a scenario, especially those drivers on the road. Suggested Resources Book: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod Book: The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey App:  Headspace Bullying Story I remember being bullied for a short bit when I was in school. My aunt sewed my uniform to exact spec. It was 1995 and I was wearing a uniform that was designed for the 1960's. I really stuck out because my personality was the same. I would go around the school telling older students, "Hi, my name is Darlington Jones, for short you can call me Darling." The children who were my age didn't really like that, or they didn't understand that. There was this one guy that got strength in bullying me. We were playing football and he would run in and he would hit me or kick at me. I remember coming home and telling my mother, because I'm a fighter, but I was in a new environment. I told my mother what happened and she said, "If he does that again, I want you to let him have it." Getting up in the morning was painful, going to school was painful. I remember having to go to the toilet before I had to go to school because in my mind I was already conjuring up the emotions and the embarrassment I would feel. He did do it again and I did let him have it. It was at lunch time and it was in front of everyone on that side of the block of the school. Now this isn't violent, this is like push off. But I won and mindfulness for me represented the pain that you can go through. So many other people are going through this and you need not to fight. At the same time, metaphorically there are things that you deserve, that you should fight for. Make it easier for yourself. You deserve it, I deserve it.

Anne-Marie is a bubbly, fun-loving, mindful CEO - and she calls herself the Soap Queen. She’s been making soap for over twenty years and loves teaching her followers on SoapQueenTV.com  Her business is called BrambleBerry.com. Anne-Marie lives in the moment, and many of those moments have been spent with essential oils and beautiful colorants in her highly sought-after recipes. Anne-Marie thrives on the truly pleasurable experience of helping others discover their own world of soaps, candles and even cosmetics. She’s written a book called ‘Live Your Best Day Ever’ - Thirty-Five Strategies For Daily Success where she reveals the SECRET everyone wants - the SECRET OF SUCCESS. Contact Info Company: Brambleberry.com Website: BestDayEver.com (Sign up for a fitness challenge) Social Media: Twitter and Instagram @Brambleberry Personal Social Media: @AnneMarieCreates Youtube: SoapQueenTV Book: Live Your Best Day Ever: Thirty-Five Strategies For Daily Success by Anne-Marie Faiola   Most Influential Person Oprah Winfrey Effect on Emotions I try to meditate every day; usually twice a day, morning and night. If I miss it, say I'm traveling, and it just doesn't happen I notice that I am more quick to negative emotions, more quick to judgment, I'm quick to feeling persecuted, I'm quick to feeling the victim, I'm quick to flashing with anger, I'm quick to telling myself a story that is not true about the situation. On the days and weeks when I am consistent about meditating, I think it helps to give me the pause between the situtation and my emotion and the story I'm telling myself.  When I do that, it takes the sting away, whatever negative situation I'm in. Thoughts on Breathing When I breathe, I'm able to calm my heart rate; I'm able to focus myself. It's almost impossible to be stressed if your parasympathetic nervous system is not having a wildly beating heartrate. So breathing in and out and in and out is something I often come back to, especially in times of anxiety or when I'm feeling stress about something, expecially on planes. Especially when I'm dealing with a four-year-old who won't go to bed, for example. I would say that I am deeply aware, when I'm stressed out I'm more inclined to take shallow breaths that are quick, versus when I'm fully present, deep belly breathing in and out and in and out Suggested Resources Book: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Book: Live Your Best Day Ever: Thirty-Five Strategies For Daily Success by Anne-Marie Faiola App: Calm ($70.00 a month and worth every penny) Bullying Story Bullied is a strong word. What I would say is, I was never the popular kid. Kids used to call me thunder-thighs in middle school and then in high school I was not a popular kid. I remember running for student body, I think it was treasurer or secretary and the popular girls tore down my signs from the wall. I felt lonely and I didn't have close girl friends. I didn't have a close tribe in high school or even middle school. I think that's one of the reasons that I have really, as an adult, I can control my environment and my surroundings much more. In high school and middle school you are in the pond and you are stuck in the pond no matter what. I think that's why, as an adult, I have really surrounded myself with a group, a tribe of strong business people; strong women of integrity, strong men of value to spend the bulk of my time with.

Noah St. John is an author, a key note speaker, and a money expert. In fact, he helps people make money who gave up on the idea long ago. Noah is the only author in history to have published with all of the following: Hay House, HarperCollins, Mindvalley, Nightingale-Conant, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher. Contact Info Website: NoahStJohn.com Newest Book: Get Rid of Your Headtrash About Money by Noah St. John Get The Newest Book For Free: www.SendMeABookNoah.com Book: The Book of Afformations by Noah St. John Most Influential Person Louise Haye Effect on Emotions I grew up very angry and depressed and I was suicidal when I was twenty-five. When I say I was suicidal, it wasn't that I was depressed and considering it, I decided to commit suicide. I remember that moment very clearly when I was twenty-five. I had decided to do it [commit suicide] and I went to do it. At the very last minute, a miracle happened. I can only call it a miracle that saved my life. I tell that story in The Book of Afformations. But then after my life was saved, I said to God, I don't know why you chose me or spared me, but I'm going to devote the rest of my life to serving you and to serving humanity. It wasn't until five years later I discovered Afformations and success anorexia and wrote all these books. It's [mindfulness] definitely played a huge role. Thoughts on Breathing Breathing is huge. It's so important. I often say to my clients or on interviews, just the simple act of breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth; it just can't help but center you and bring you into that present moment. Suggested Resources Book: You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Haye Book: The Science of Mind by Dr. Ernest Holmes App: N/A Bullying Story I was definitely bullied as a child, mostly by my older brother. He was definitely a bully. I know he didn't mean to be. Honestly, he's got some emotional problems we found out later. I just thought he was a bully. Definitely, mindfulness would have helped me because what I realize is that I tried to become somebody that I'm not and I became a people pleaser. I became this doormat that people would and did walk all over. I let so many people take advantage of me. That's one of the reasons I ended up $40,000 in debt and living in my parents basement because I was still letting people walk all over me, letting people take advantage of me, trusting the wrong people, not listening to my inner self, my inner knowing, but listening to all the wrong people. So bullying has had a very big effect on my life. And of course, in a negative way. I think not just mindfulness would have helped, but certainly having tools and skills to stand up for myself. What's funny is that my wife and I recently went back to Maine. That's where my family still lives. I saw all of the things that would have really pushed my buttons before, but because I practice mindfulness and I use my afformations and all the methodologies now, I was aware of them and I didn't let them push me around. I was proud of myself. I realized I guess I've grown and that's awesome.

Win Charles is an artist, a speaker, a disability activist writer, a podcaster and a true inspiration to everyone she connects with. She has cerebral palsy, but she hasn’t let that stand in her way of achieving huge successes. She has a thriving Jewelry Design Business, she’s authored several books, she’s host of a terrific podcast called Butterflies of Wisdom and she has declared 2017 her Year of Warriorness. Contact Info Website: Win Charles Podcast: Butterflies of Wisdom Twitter: @WinKellyCharles Email: AspenWin@gmail.com Books on Amazon: Search 'Win Charles' Newest Book: The Mosaic of CP by Win Charles Most Influential Person My Biological Mom Effect on Emotions My emotions stay steady. I have Cerebral Palsy and so mindfulness has affected my emotions in a good way. Thoughts on Breathing Why are you asking me this question today when I had technology problems? I told myself to breathe and I still haven't got my technology issues solved. I told myself, take a deep breath and that's what I did. I took  a deep breath before I did any of my other stuff because I knew if I didn't do that, it would all go upside down. Suggested Resources Book: I, Win: My Journey With Cerebral Palsy in a Non-Disabled World by Win Kelly Charles App: Headspace Bullying Story I was not bullied by my school. But I have certainly been bullied by my own family. That's a sad story. Right after my mom died I was bullied and called horrible names by a person who knows better. And, I was emotionally abused at work; not the job that I'm at now but when I first started teaching preschool I was emotionally abused. My family knew what I was going through and they saw the circumstances and I actually lost my job in 2009. I bounced back and I actually got a job at the primary school I went to as a student. My original boss was my principal. That was just weird. The person who taught me kindergarten is still up there teaching. It's weird having colleagues who taught me when I was younger. I've been doing this job since 2010.

Tyler Basu is a prolific content creator, marketer, and online success story. He is content manager for Thinkific, a widely sought-after platform for creating and selling online courses. He is creator and host of the Podcast called Lifestyle Business Magazine and Publisher of the online Magazine of the same name. He is a contributor to numerous online publications including Entrepreneur, Influencive and Addicted2Success. Contact Info Website: TylerBasu.com Blog: Lifestyle Business Magazine Blog Podcast: Lifestyle Business Podcast Most Influential Person My father-in-law (I've never seen him upset in my whole life). Effect on Emotions My wife teases me and says I don't have emotions. The majority of the time I'm very, very calm. It's difficult to upset me because, in the grand scheme of things, most things that happen to me are not that big a deal. Thoughts on Breathing Breathing is something that I've practiced. I think it was Tony Robbins or one of those influences that introduced me to that. In the morning or at night, the same time that I'm sitting down to reflect on the day and express gratitude, I'll just take some time to focus on breathing. Even a few times throughout the day, if I need a break, I'll drink some water and focus on breathing. It calms me down before I jump into something else. Suggested Resources Book: The Morning Miracle by Hal Elrod App: N/A (Pen and paper) Bullying Story I can think of quite a few stories. I was beat up quite a few times as a kid. One time, I didn't even see it coming. Two other kids were fighting. You know how everyone gets in a circle to watch a fight in schools? I was standing there eating some Skittles and I must have said something cocky or lippy. This was grade 8 or 9, and all of a sudden one of the kids who was about to fight the other kid started to turn around and start hitting me.  And with the Skittle; when he hit my face, the Skittle popped out my cheek and I ended up needing stitches to close up half my mouth for a few days. This is just one example and one of the times I learned to think about what I was about to say before I started to say something dumb that might offend someone. It was a good experience in a way. Me and that kid became friends after that; we worked it out. I'm not saying that bullying is a good thing, but if there's something in your life that's hard on you, find a way to appreciate what's happening, because hopefully, you're getting strong because of it. Your ability to tolerate hardships increases. Business is tough, so if you don't have the thick skin or if you are not willing to make the calls and present your ideas and get shot down; if you're not willing to get out there and still keep going when other people are giving you a hard time or don't believe in you, then you're going to have a really hard time of it. Whatever you can do to develop some thick skin and some mental toughness is generally a good thing.

Nancie Vito is a transformational life coach, public health professional and certified health educator specializing in helping people go from functioning to flourishing. She works with creatives, aspiring entrepreneurs and other professionals who want to get unstuck, prevent burnout and take steps towards what they really want in life. She holds a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis on prevention and mental health and is in the process of obtaining a graduate degree in organizational psychology. Since starting her business Flourish in 2009, she has been mentioned or featured in online publications such as Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen and Marie Claire UK. Contact Info Website: www.NancieVito.com FB: Facebook.com/FlourishWellness Most Influential Person Corey Keyes (A Sociologist and Psychologist) Effect on Emotions Mindfulness has helped me be much less reactive and much more conscious of my behavior and how my behavior effects others. In general, much calmer. Thoughts on Breathing I love the whole concept. It just brings me back to center, it helps me become grounded. It's something I can do anywhere; on a plane, on a subway. In the middle of a workday I can take some conscious deep breaths and have a change within seconds. Suggested Resources Book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle App: Calm

Gareth Young is an experienced, corporate businessman who decided to transform his life. He did this by undertaking a journey that took him into the unknown. As a result of his explorations into life's meaning, he now feels more connected in his relationships and he feels his life has far more depth than ever before. He explains, 'I've learned a new way of being with people'. Gareth is anxious to share the profound lessons he's learned with the world through his podcast which is called, A New Business Mindset. Contact Info Website: GarethJYoung.com Podcast: A New Business Mindset Most Influential Person Nisargadatta Maharaj - Hindu Teacher and Author Effect on Emotions I used to be scared of my emotions and now I embrace them. My emotions used to be overwhelming and now they're a really, really important part of who I am and I cherish them. Unless you move through this process and experience it, it's kind of counterintuitive because my emotions are much deeper, much richer, and I'm much more sensitive to them. Yet I am much deeper and much stronger and much more able to hold those healthily. Thoughts on Breathing Breathing is an enormously powerful practice. If there's a stressful moment, if you intentionally drop your breath to the belly, it slows and stabilizes everything. Paying attention to breathing just slows things down and brings peace. Suggested Resources Book: I Am That: Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj Book: Pointers From Nisargadatta (Free Download) App: Insight Timer Bullying Story I have absolutely been bullied. I was bullied as a mature adult without recognizing it at the time. As a child I was bullied, but nowhere near as much as some kids, but some. I would tell you, mindfulness, would not just help me get through it, mindfulness would have allowed me to see more clearly what was happening. In those situations as an adult, I would have been much more aware of the dynamic in a couple of relationships and I wouldn't have stayed in those relationships. I would have just moved on much more quickly. As a child, it's not just that I would have been able to deal with them better, and survive them better, I would have responded to the behaviour in different ways that would have been much more healthy for all concerned.

Cindy Ashton is a performer, singer, musical theatre actress and a blast of energy. She inspires people wherever she goes and is known for her ability to entertain anywhere, anytime on the spot. Her natural ability combined with her Second City comedy improvisation experience has a lot to do with this part of her sparkling personality. She studied performing arts, Opera and Kinesiology so she’s all about movement. One of her most recent projects is a TV show called Cindy Uncorked, described as a daring, hilarious and intelligent talk show that tackles important women's issues from a fresh perspective. Contact Info Website: www.YourPersuasiveVoice.com (For Speaker Training) Website: www.CindyUncorked.com (For TV Show) Most Influential Person Madonna Effect on Emotions I don't get triggered very often anymore. I find that I don't react. I just listen and am present with people and so I don't take things personally. Thoughts on Breathing Constant. I constantly check in with my breathing throughout the day. Am I breathing down into my pelvic floor? Am I dropping into my body? It's about being mindful of it [breathing], 24-7 so I'm present. Suggested Resources Book: Wild Feminine: Finding Power, Spirit and Joy in the Female Body by Tami Lynn Kent App: Yoga Glo (Over 4000 Yoga classes of all types) Bullying Story I've been bullied most of my life until the last few years. As a child, after three heart surgeries, leaving scars on me ... I was born with a twenty percent chance of living. The whole left side of my body was structurally damaged at birth. I had to have casts on my legs to learn how to walk. I had a lisp and had to have speech therapy to learn how to speak. I was a very deformed looking kid. So I was always the girl who was ugly and unworthy and beat up on the play ground for being ugly and having scars. By the time I got to high school it didn't stop. I was the girl who could never get a boyfriend. I was too ugly for any man to ever want to date me or be with me.