In today’s post, Myra shares a quote from Ajahn Chah about the peace that comes through loosening our grip, as well a favorite “Take A Moment” micro-meditation “Breathe Like the Ocean.” This two-minute calming practice will help you slow down and reconnect with the natural world.
Read MoreI first discovered the practice of self-havening more than four years ago, while working with psychotherapist Andrea Wachter on an article for Spirituality & Health magazine about tools to ease anxiety. Since then, it has become a staple of my self-care—both to calm my nervous system, and to foster a kinder and more nurturing relationship with myself.
Read MoreToday’s two-minute guided meditation, “Attentive Listening,” is more than just an opportunity to slow down and be present—it’s also an attention training technique from metacognitive therapy that’s helpful for rumination and anxiety.
Read MoreThe sage Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön often reminds people that the reason we meditate is not to become good meditators—it’s to become more awake in our lives. She says, “One of the main discoveries of meditation is seeing how we continually run away from the present moment, how we avoid being here just as we are.”
Read MoreLast week’s blog, Loving-Kindness for the Body, talked about how profoundly our bodies (and our entire being!) respond to love and acceptance. It ended with a quote from physician and meditation teacher Jan Chozen Bays: “Do loving-kindness practice for your body at least once a day, every day. It’s the best alternative medicine.”
Read MoreWhen I was fresh out of college, my husband Drew and I moved onto a small two-acre heirloom raspberry farm in Carmel Valley, California. What was meant to be a one-year pause while I applied to graduate programs in international relations unexpectedly turned into something much bigger.
Read MoreThe human mind is truly extraordinary. A single image, sound, or scent can instantly transport us across time and place—back to a cherished memory, a moment of beauty, or toward a felt sense of ease and comfort. We experience this all the time without even trying…
Read MoreLooking back at 2025, one of the goals achieved that I’m most pleased about is expanding Quest for Eternal Sunshine’s library of free “Take A Moment” micro-meditations. Averaging only two minutes long—short enough to fit into even the busiest of schedules—they’ve become our most popular free “Tools for Healing” offering.
Read MoreMy decision to dress up as a Valkyrie this past Halloween was inspired by attending my first Valkyries WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco. Sitting in the stands, I was swept up in the excitement of the sold-out arena.
Read MoreThis New Year’s Eve will be the sixty-third I’ve logged in my life so far. I still feel a spark of excitement every time the calendar turns, but for my four- and eight-year-old grandsons, it’s nothing short of momentous—like a birthday, but one that the whole world celebrates together.
Read MoreLast Friday was the first official day of summer in the northern hemisphere. I marked the day in the same wonderful way I’ve been doing for the past few years: I went outside to experience 20 minutes of being fully mindful in nature, guided by “Connect with the Natural World”—a lovely meditation meant to be experienced outdoors.
Read MoreThe occasion of the New Year reminds me that none of us have ever lived this particular year, day, or minute before. Every single moment on this earth is unique—a once in a lifetime experience that can never be repeated. After spending a week meeting and falling in love with my newborn grandson, and watching my youngest child and his wife magnificently step into parenting for the first time, my awareness of life’s miracles feel extra-heightened.
Read MoreThe first official day of summer began yesterday, which makes it a perfect time to get outside and renew our connection to Mother Earth. Being in nature brings peace, beauty and healing into our lives. It slows us down, calms us, and helps us feel connected to something greater than ourselves—all key ingredients in fostering optimal emotional and physical health.
Read MoreJust before the New Year, in an article that shared my devotion to qigong, I mentioned how beneficial it would be if we all arrived on this planet with a “Homo Sapiens Owner’s Manual” that could help us live our best life physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about what else needs to be included, and another list-topper would be guidance on how to work with emotions.
Read MoreAs a self-appointed “wisdom gatherer,” I’m always curious about the primary insights offered by self-help books that attain astronomical popularity. One such book is Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear. Featuring the tagline “Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results,” this book has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, and is still a #1 bestseller on Amazon five years after its release.
Read MoreI’ve been trying to channel my eco-anxiety into reducing my environmental impact and doing more to support the Earth’s restoration, but prolonged anxiety is never the best solution. Not only does it feel terrible, it activates our stress hormones, drains our vitality and optimism, narrows our vision, and causes mental and emotional paralysis.
Read MoreToday, in our last newsletter of the year, I’m focusing on the theme of awakening joy. While life is always filled with both boundless beauty and deep pain—and for healing and health we must allow ourselves to feel and process all of our emotions—one of the biggest lessons my father continues to teach me is the power of consciously choosing joy.
Read MoreToday, during the peak of the holiday season, I’m happy to share a Take a Moment micro-meditation called the “letting-go breath.” This slow inhale through your nose, followed by an even longer, slower exhale through pursed lips sounds deceptively simple, but it will quickly leave you feeling more relaxed and settled in both body and mind.
Read MoreI recently returned from a lovely vacation in Hawaii, and I’m pondering how to access “vacation mind” more often in my everyday life without having to travel far away. A big part of what makes vacations feel special is how much more attentive and present we are when everything is new and fresh, versus “ordinary” and routine.
Read MoreIf you’re at all like me—someone who habitually rushes through life and lives overly in the realm of thought—taking regular short pauses to stop amid all the busyness to relax and get grounded in the present moment can yield big results. That’s what inspired me to partner with mindfulness and meditation teacher, Katie Dutcher, on a new Quest for Eternal Sunshine free resource called “Take a Moment.”
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