Loving Touch

When my beloved Zen teacher, Katherine Thanas, passed away twelve years ago, I booked a session with energy healer Hilary Nichols to help me process my grief over this significant loss. After guiding me into a deeply relaxed state, Hilary asked me to think about Katherine and identify a quality of hers that I loved and wanted to always remember by fostering it within myself. Katherine’s hands instantly came to mind—hands that touched everything with full attention and gentle reverence.

Myra GoodmanOctober 18, 2024Mindfulness, Recommended Books, Jan Chozen Bays

Earth Day 2023

I’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.

Myra GoodmanApril 21, 2023Nature, Katie Dutcher, Featured Teachers, Mindfulness

Habit Energy

Ever since my lap-top free Hawaiian vacation several months ago, I’ve been starting most mornings by reading Buddhist wisdom from a variety of dharma teachers before going online to engage with a frenzy of waiting emails. I love this new ritual. It slows me down, prioritizes peace, and strengthens my awareness of timeless truths.

Myra GoodmanJanuary 13, 2023Mindfulness, About Myra, Recommended Books, Thich Nhat Hanh, Featured Teachers

Awakening Joy

Today, 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.

Myra GoodmanDecember 30, 2022Meditation, Featured Teachers, Take a Moment, Katie Dutcher, Mindfulness, Emotions

The Letting-Go Breath

Today, 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.

Myra GoodmanDecember 23, 2022Meditation, Featured Teachers, Katie Dutcher, Take a Moment, Tools for Healing, Mindfulness, Anxiety

Pema Chödrön on Presence and Impermanence

These past few weeks, I’ve been eagerly soaking in wisdom from the beloved Buddhist nun, Pema Chödrön. I read When Things Fall Apart and a few of her other bestselling books decades ago, but now I’m able to understand and appreciate her teachings in a whole new way.

Myra GoodmanJune 3, 2022Featured Teachers, Pema Chodron, Mindfulness, Buddhism

Tune Yourself to Nature's Rhythms

Memorial Day weekend signals the launch of the summer season. With long, warm days beckoning us outside to exercise, play and simply relax, now is the perfect time to consciously reconnect with the beauty and healing energy of Mother Nature. I’m thrilled to mark this occasion by sharing one of my all-time favorite meditations: “Connect with the Natural World”—a 20-minute guided outdoor meditation led by Katie Dutcher, a seasoned meditation teacher and certified Mindful Outdoor Guide.

Myra GoodmanMay 27, 2022Featured Teachers, Katie Dutcher, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature

Rewiring Wonder

I recently had a magical experience. While being guided through a 10-minute “Outdoor Refresher” mindfulness meditation, I was able to see everything with fresh eyes and became completely enchanted by the world around me. It felt as if my senses had been reawakened, and my childlike awe rekindled. Remarkably, I still feel a positive shift two weeks later. It’s as if after many decades of neglect, some of my essential wiring has been dusted off and is coming back online—wiring that connects me to the innocence and openness of my inner child.

Myra GoodmanApril 8, 2022Featured Teachers, Katie Dutcher, Nature, Mindfulness, Meditation

Plug into Presence

Every Tuesday morning I receive an email with an intriguing writing prompt from my writing mentor, Laura Davis. I always respond to them in my head, if not on paper. A while back, the prompt was, “Write a letter to a great, great, great, great grandchild, or to another child living far off in the future. Impart your hard-fought wisdom about what truly matters in life.” My response surfaced at lightning speed: “I hope you’re not spending your life glued to a screen.”

Myra GoodmanMarch 4, 2022Technology, Katie Dutcher, Tech Detox, Mindfulness, Laura Davis

This Moment is Full of Wonders

Today I want to share a short post featuring calming artwork and gentle wisdom from Thich Nhat Hanh’s lovely book of Zen calligraphy, This Moment is Full of Wonders. I only recently discovered how much Thich Nhat Hanh loved calligraphy, and that throughout his life he created over 10,000 images. It was one of his favorite forms of meditation.

Myra GoodmanFebruary 18, 2022Featured Teachers, Recommended Books, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mindfulness, Buddhism

Savor the Present Moment

I have had two clear “awakening” experiences in my life. The first was as a third grader in Brooklyn when my class took a trip to tour Pete Seeger’s boat. As I lay on the deck with my eyes closed, palms resting against the polished wood, a strong sense of awe and reverence filled me. The sun warmed my face as the boat rocked gently on the water, and I suddenly had the best feeling of my entire life: CONNECTION.

Myra GoodmanJuly 30, 2021Meditation, Cain Carroll, Mindfulness, Lessons from Mendek

Healing from Prolonged Stress

I’ve been reading a wonderful (and very timely) new book about healing from prolonged stress and trauma called, Widen the Window—Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma, by Elizabeth Stanley, PhD.

Myra GoodmanNovember 13, 2020Book, Mindfulness, Anxiety, Trauma

Patricia Wolff & Compassionate Communication

Today, I’m excited to share a wonderful and timely new resource—Compassionate Communication—generously created by my dear friend, Patricia Wolff. I have known Patricia for over three decades, and we’re grateful that our special connection has been deepening with each passing year.

Katie DutcherMay 1, 2020Featured Teachers, Communication, Mindfulness, Buddhism

Trudy Goodman’s Journey to the Present Moment

Trudy’s odyssey in life has been analogous to a turbulent ocean crossing filled with unanticipated, treacherous storms.