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Chris Germer: The Power of Self-Compassion

Chris Germer — August 1, 2017

Chris Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, lecturer at Harvard Medical School, and one of the cofounders of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. The author of many books and articles on mindfulness, Chris has partnered with Kristin Neff and Sounds True to launch the upcoming The Power of Self-Compassion online course in October. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Chris and Tami Simon talk about the practice of mindful self-compassion and the foundational questions it asks of us. They explore how this practice can be applied in the alleviation of pain and current research into other, everyday applications. Chris also details the ways in which self-compassion can help us ride waves of emotion such as shame and self-recrimination. Finally, Tami and Chris discuss how one has to adjust the messaging around self-compassion in order to reach a male audience. (62 minutes)

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Elena Brower: I Lean on the Universe with My Honesty

Elena Brower — July 25, 2017

Elena Brower is a New York-based yoga instructor, designer, artist, and author. With Sounds True, she has released the audio programs Grounded and Free and The Return Home. She also coauthored Art of Attention—a bestselling yoga workbook—with Erica Jago. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Elena speak on concepts of self-inquiry, spiritual discipline, and facing up to hard truths about the course of one’s life. Elena tells the story of how she faced her addictions to marijuana and tobacco, and the benefits that arose when she quit both. Drawing on prompts from Elena’s upcoming book Practice You, she and Tami also discuss how one needs to be completely present for the experience of learning. Finally, Elena leads listeners in a guided meditation for embracing our love and releasing it into the world. (62 minutes)

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The New Science of Empathy and Empaths

Judith Orloff — July 24, 2017

Dear friends,

The Dalai Lama says, “Empathy is the most precious human quality.” During these stressful times, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I feel passionately that empathy is the medicine the world needs right now.

Empathy doesn’t make you a sentimental softy without discernment. It allows you to keep your heart open to foster tolerance and understanding. In my new book The Empath’s Survival Guide, I discuss the following intriguing scientific explanations of empathy and empaths. These will help us more deeply understand the power of empathy so we can utilize and honor it in our lives.

The Mirror Neuron System

Researchers have discovered a specialized group of brain cells that are responsible for compassion. These cells enable everyone to mirror emotions—to share another person’s pain, fear, or joy. Because empaths are thought to have hyper-responsive mirror neurons, we deeply resonate with other people’s feelings.

Electromagnetic Fields

The second finding is based on the fact that both the brain and the heart generate electromagnetic fields. According to the HeartMath Institute, these fields transmit information about people’s thoughts and emotions. Empaths may be particularly sensitive to this input and tend to become overwhelmed by it.

Emotional Contagion

Research has shown that many people pick up the emotions of those around them. For instance, one crying infant will set off a wave of crying in a hospital ward. Or one person loudly expressing anxiety in the workplace can spread it to other workers. People commonly catch other people’s feelings in groups.

Increased Dopamine Sensitivity

The fourth finding involves dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases the activity of neurons and is associated with the pleasure response. Research has shown that introverted empaths tend to have a higher sensitivity to dopamine than extroverts. Basically, they need less dopamine to feel happy.

Synesthesia

The fifth finding, which I find particularly compelling, is the extraordinary state called “mirror-touch synesthesia.” Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which two different senses are paired in the brain. For instance, you see colors when you hear a piece of music or you taste words. Famous synesthetics include Isaac Newton, Billy Joel, and violinist Itzhak Perlman. However, with mirror-touch synesthesia, people can actually feel the emotions and sensations of others in their own bodies as if these were their own.

Studies show that one out of every five people is highly sensitive. It is my heartfelt wish that you or someone you love will benefit from The Empath’s Survival Guide and gain the tools to cherish your precious sensitivities. Get your free chapter and download bonus gifts.

With gratitude,

Dr. Judith Orloff

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Lodro Rinzler: Meditation and Kindness: Two Keys to Cr...

Lodro Rinzler — July 19, 2017

Lodro Rinzler is an author and renowned meditation teacher who has led trainings at Google, Harvard, and the White House. His many books include The Buddha Walks into a Bar and How to Love Yourself. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Lodro discuss the Shambhala tradition of Buddhism that Lodro teaches in—specifically, its goal of creating an enlightened society. They speak on how to truly cultivate kindness and what it takes to be a mindful leader during difficult times. Lodro comments on what he calls “The Four Exhilarations” and “The Four Dignities,” and in a culmination of the discussion, explains his overarching mission in teaching meditation to the world. (62 minutes)

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Miracles at Work

Emily Bennington — July 17, 2017

Friends –

If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that you are on a spiritual journey.

Me too.

And the most transformative insight I’ve gained over many years of spiritual study is that love is the foundation of our being.

This sounds nice, of course, until you apply it at work.

Then things tend to get a bit messy.

That’s because we are told we have to be “tough” to get ahead, and yet for many of us, being tough feels out of alignment with love.

On the other hand, being “soft” feels—well, soft.

If you relate to this struggle, perhaps you’ve also made attempts to compartmentalize your “spiritual” self and your “business” self, only to feel lacking in both.

This is where A Course in Miracles comes in and where you can use the Course’s insight to achieve a high level of career success while honoring your sacred path at the same time.

In my new book, Miracles at Work: Turning Inner Guidance into Outer Influence, I’ve taken the basic principles of A Course in Miracles and translated them into dozens of practical tools that will enhance your experience and influence on the job, regardless of whether you are a student of the Course or not.

As a small sample of what you can expect, I invite you to try this experiment from Miracles at Work:

Instead of viewing “love” as a gesture of affection, try thinking of it as a rejection of any littleness within your own mind. In this sense, love doesn’t mean running around your office in a cloying state of sweetness; rather, it becomes a moment-by-moment practice of dissolving any judgment that can lead to emotional instability. As a result, the more you remove the judgment, the more you will find yourself becoming a clear channel for the expression of compassion and wisdom towards yourself and others.

Far from being soft or naïve, I would argue that this is actually the most sophisticated way you can show up in the world – and in Miracles at Work I’ll show you how it’s done.

Let’s get started,

Emily

PS – Order Miracles at Work today and receive more than six hours of free bonus interviews. Click here for details.

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Jeff Strong: Drum Healing

Jeff Strong — July 11, 2017

Jeff Strong is a sound researcher and percussionist whose rhythm-based therapeutic music has been used in clinical settings worldwide. With Sounds True, Jeff has created several albums of rhythmic entrainment music, including The Better Sleep Program and The Focus and Attention Program. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Jeff about the concept of brain entrainment through rhythm and how it has deep roots in tribal ceremony. They talk about the therapeutic application of this music for anxiety, ADHD, autism, and mood disorders, and explain the difference between rhythmic entrainment and “neuro beat” recordings. Finally, Jeff offers two excerpts from The Brain Shift Collection for calming and the exploration of deep meditative states. (66 minutes)

Chris Germer: The Power of Self-Compassion

Elena Brower: I Lean on the Universe with My Honesty

The New Science of Empathy and Empaths

Lodro Rinzler: Meditation and Kindness: Two Keys to Cr...

Miracles at Work

Jeff Strong: Drum Healing

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