Wholistic Health and Wellness Practicer

Altruism is when we act to promote someone else’s welfare, even at a risk or cost to ourselves. Though some believe that humans are fundamentally self-interested, recent research suggests otherwise: Studies have found that people’s first impulse is to cooperate rather than compete; that toddlers spontaneously help people in need out of a genuine concern for their welfare; and that even non-human primates display altruism. Evolutionary scientists speculate that altruism has such deep roots in human nature because helping and cooperation promote the survival of our species. Indeed, Darwin himself argued that altruism, which he called “sympathy” or “benevolence,” is “an essential part of the social instincts.” Darwin’s claim is supported by recent neuroscience studies, which have shown that when people behave altruistically, their brains activate in regions that signal pleasure and reward, similar to when they eat chocolate (or have sex). This does not mean that humans are more altruistic...

This short practice specifically designed to benefit ants was compiled by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and is inspired by a text written by Ngulchu Dharmabhadra, a well-known yogi and lineage lama.Using food, visualization, blessed substances and mantras, we can free ants from the lower realms and plant the seeds of enlightenment in their mind streams. As Lama Zopa Rinpoche reminds us, The ants cannot practice lam-rim; there is no way for them to learn. You can explain to them for 1 billion eons day and night without break for even a second that the cause of happiness is virtue, but there is no way they can learn. But now, by relying on this short practice, we can repay the kindness of our mother sentient beings the ants.

≠ Awareness is at the center of life; you cannot make good decisions without understanding the relevant factors. ≠ The “circle of life” represents three states of the human experience and reflects your body’s current physiological state.  ≠ Combining awareness skills with the “circle of life” allows you to selectively use tools to regulate your body’s chemistry.  Awareness is at the core of both survival and also thriving. These are learned and separate skills. Survival is instinctual and includes whatever strategies you have become embedded over your lifetime. However, many of our actions are not only ineffective but can make situations worse. Acquiring effective stress processing skills is important. Thriving is not as instinctual and must be cultivated and nurtured. If you are trying to use pleasant experiences, power, and material possessions to compensate for unpleasant survival emotions, it can’t and doesn’t work. You cannot outrun your mind. The key to thriv...

EAR Statements are similar to active listening and reflective listening, but they go one step beyond, showing that you heard clearly. They show that that you give the other person your empathy, attention, and respect. This giving of yourself often strengthens your connection with the other person, yet it doesn't have to be deep or complicated. It often helps to practice giving an EAR Statement before a difficult conversation. Role-play an upcoming situation with a friend to get comfortable saying the words you want to use. Setting Limits With an EAR Statement One of the best situations to use EAR Statements is when you have to set limits at work, home, or elsewhere. You can say something like this: “You may not realize it, but when you do _______, you may offend some people. I can understand that this may feel frustrating [empathy] and I respect your good intent [respect]. So you may want to do _______, instead. Of course, it’s up to you. I just want to help. What do you think?” [a...

Using one or more sentences that shows another person your empathy, attention, or respect (EAR) is one of the easiest ways to calm a conflict, reassure a person who is feeling sad, or strengthen your bond. You can use an EAR Statement™ at any time, with any person. The following examples are ways to use an EAR Statement. Empathy “I can understand your frustration with this situation.” “I can hear how hard this is.” “I can see that this is not the way you wanted this to go.” “I feel that way, too, sometimes.” These are all examples of showing empathy. By saying you “can understand” or “can hear” or “can see,” it shows that you are able to relate to the experience or feeling that the other person has, without saying that you “know” how they are feeling. (Most people will tell you that you can’t know how they are feeling, but most like to know that you can relate to it.) Empathy shows connection more than sympathy, which is often done at a distance: “I’m sorry to see that you got yourself...

Navigating the holidays is a challenge for most of us. And, now, adding pandemic restrictions and supply chain delays makes for even more stress than usual. But for those of us who have to balance our mental health everyday, it can become an insurmountable goal to have a wonderful holiday season. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports 64% of people with mental illness report the holidays make their conditions worse. Tips for Self-Care Keep things simple: Scale down your schedule during the holiday season. Aim to keep things small and simple so you don't get too lost in the holiday hoopla. Consistency is important in your treatment plan when you live with mental illness. When we do too much, we risk failing to meet our daily treatment goals. Combat loneliness: If you're alone or have chosen to avoid holiday celebrations, make sure you surround yourself with meaningful activities. Just because you've chosen not to spend time with others, it doesn...

  Traditional Tibetan food culture includes its people’s culinary traditions and age-old practices. Borrowing influences from the neighboring lands of India, Nepal, and China, Tibetan food is oriental but adapted for the harsh landscape and to help battle the extreme conditions of the high altitude plateau.  Animals and plants that have adapted to the Tibetan climate are at the heart of the country’s cuisine. Goat, yak, mutton, dumplings, cheese, and noodles, often made from yak bones, are staples in the Tibetan diet. Barley is also widely popular and favored over wheat as it can survive harsh winters and high altitudes.  This yogurt, pictured above, has been a tradition in Tibetan food culture for thousands of years and is usually served during religious celebrations like the Buddhist Shoton Festival. If you’re visiting Tibet in August, get involved in Shoton and make trying this snack the starting point.  What culture is Tibetan? Tibetan culture boasts distinct art...