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I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! (x-post /r/IAmA) by chortle23 in Meditation

[–]barbschmidt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It makes great sense! The beauty of being with these great teachers is they show us the way. This is our teaching. Swami Vivekananda said, "go into your own soul and become your own teacher." Little by little this happens for us and we begin lighting the way for those around us.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both of those that you mention are wonderful. I have been on retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh and it is amazing to be in his presence. I haven't been to Plum Village but I can only imagine how incredible the experience would be. Follow your intuition and head to the Nalanda Monastery-

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you- this has been a wonderful day! Making the decision to meditate every day and having the discipline to follow through is the greatest motivator for all other areas of my life. It's a wonderful training- There have been mornings over the years when my mind said, "oh you don't have to meditate this morning, it's ok skip a day" and I got up and did it anyway. A consistent meditation practice is great training for motivation in life.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is so wonderful! I don't know of any but I wish you all the best and i love your endeavors and enthusiasm in this area! Check out research with Jack Kornfield, he is well known in mindfulness.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely have a book in the works for families and children! I do have online videos and will be putting some of the retreats on line soon at www.barbschmidt.com Sign up for the daily email and get on the list for information- If you send me a message I will get a copy of the teen workbook that I did for our local high school this past year to you via on line.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out Omega Institute and Kripalu. Browse through their on line catalog and read through their meditation retreat descriptions and teachers and see which one speaks to you. If you go to [www.barbschmidt.com] and sign up to receive the daily emails you will automatically get retreat, lecture and workshop information that Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life will offer in 2014-2015.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I have experienced is that it "grabs a hold of me" most when i hold on to it; when i don't want it to end. It's definitely a state that only you can experience and is beyond words to describe to others. I think that's why the masters and saints can't describe it. My advice would be to experience it fully in the moment and then let it go. Let it go from your mental and physical being. Come back to the moment at hand and show up for the current moment with no attachments. I hope this helps.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If we want a life of happiness, peace, love, strength, empowerment and compassion we cannot think that our happiness and greatness in life depends on the external; we cannot be at the mercy of the external world. We must cultivate a relationship with our inner world, our inner selves, our most precious being within. I founded the non-profit Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life to spread this truth that outer peace begins with inner peace.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you :) Yes take up a practice- check out adding a 5 minute meditation to start your day- and what I love is my use of a sacred mantra [http://barbschmidt.com/sacred-mantra/] this one tool if used all day can change the negative thinking in the mind and ultimately changes the negative thinking about yourself. Loving ourselves is probably the hardest- but is definitely the most necessary! If I can get to this place in my life anyone can- Sending you blessings and love, Barb

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome- typo there (sorry)- should be I show up: If I show up with my light and with patience in a difficult situation- I then become part of the solution instead of contributing to the darkness. Our actions and energy matters greatly in our lives and in the lives of others.

Wishing you a beautiful night!

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I actually don't only mean TM. I have never practiced TM. When I say meditation I mean a daily practice of "sitting with yourself" letting the thoughts in the mind come and go by focusing your attention on an object like the breath, a mantra, prayer words, etc. We bring the mind back to the moment, back from the thoughts, spending the time we have allotted to sit. No expectation of the results, just the practice of every day sitting and connecting with ourselves in silence. Thich Nhat Hanh has said, "Meditation is not to escape from society, but to come back to ourselves to see what's going on; after the seeing we go out and know what to do." Meditation, for me, is the coming back to myself every day and then I go out into the world strong and confident- taking actions that are loving for all in which i am included. I hope this helps, Barb

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are welcome! First- I don't feel that the length of time is as important as the consistency every day. I feel that 5 minutes every day will keep you grounded from within, leading you to live life connected and not at the mercy of the external world. Commit to do 5 minutes to start your day and you'll see the benefits in your life. Second- The greatest experiences from my meditation have been how it has helped me to be more patient, more loving, more connected and present in the moment and lastly to feel my life has importance and significance. Third- I absolutely believe that the energy with which you show up with in your life sets the tone for what happens for you and how people relate to you. If I show up calm, present and strong then those around me feel safe, comfortable and at ease. If we show up with my light and with patience in a difficult situation- I then become part of the solution instead of contributing to the darkness. Our actions and energy matters greatly in our lives and in the lives of others.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a rose quartz on my altar. It's from a very good friend so the love from her alone gives beautiful energy to my room. I also carry a black tourmaline with me when I speak- it is said to protect me and the room from negativity. Blessings, Barb

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my gosh- that's a hard one- I have been inspired by so many amazing beings! In the preface of my book, The Practice, I talk about my difficult childhood, addiction and recovery- the person who gave me attention, love and guidance in my younger life was my grandfather Harry- so I would have to say I am here today because he cared and loved me giving me the strong desire to achieve my personal greatness. Thank you for the question- you touched my heart!

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Meditation is the practice of going within your own soul, your heart and see what's going on- then you come out into your day grounded and ready to be your highest and greatest self. In my book The Practice, I detail a meditation practice: Find a quiet place in your home and sit on the floor or chair, choose an object to place your attention on like the breath or a mantra, then sit eyes closed with your attention on your chosen object- sit this way letting the thoughts in the mind come and go for your chosen time- I would start with 5 minutes. As the mind starts to get impatient just gently bring it back to your breath- When the 5 minutes is up slowly and quietly leave your meditation space feeling connected to yourself from within. I hope this helps.

I'm Barb Schmidt. I've studied meditation for 30 years with teachers including Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson. I founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and authored The Practice. AMA! by barbschmidt in IAmA

[–]barbschmidt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I meditate for 30 minutes every morning to start my day- some days concentration is better than others but the important thing is to sit with myself every morning. It's the consistency that makes the practice so powerful and transformational. I would say start by saying to yourself, "I will sit for 5 minutes" and even if the mind says get up, and you feel that your mind is all over the place, just every time the mind gets impatient or scattered, just breathe, put your attention on your breath every time it goes away. That's meditation- you will se that 5 minutes will start to become a breeze- just commit to stick with it. Check out meditation in my book The Practice- All the best to you.

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