In this episode, Sarah and Jacob talk about the three doorways of liberation in the Buddhist teachings,  emptiness, signlessness and aimlessness. Kinda sounds like a wondering fool doesn't it? Could it be that forgetting the details of who you are, giving less meaning to your circumstances and reducing your goal-setting are actually all the things that contribute to happiness? Sarah isn't completely convinced but Jacob does a good job convincing her otherwise. Article about the Doors of Liberation:https://www.lionsroar.com/the-doors-of-liberation-may-2014/ONLINE RETREAT: January 21,  9AM - 2 PM EST.  The topic of this retreat is "Building Worthiness and Understanding Codependence".  https://www.tsdmind.org/retreatsImportant links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching for people with past trauma, anxiety and depression disorders, business leaders, and people who work in the helping professions (i.e. counselors, healers and yoga and meditation teachers).

In this episode, Sarah and Jacob talk about their personal struggles and triumphs with worthiness. A lack of worthiness can show up in our lives as packed schedules, lack of boundaries with difficult people, a need to be successful, fear of failure or not capable of feeling difficult emotions in a healthy way. Take the "Worthiness Test" with Sarah and Jacob and find out which of these categories you have great worthiness and which you could strengthen your worthiness. This episode is especially helpful for anyone who has experienced childhood trauma. Access the Worthiness Test here:https://www.tsdmind.org/_files/ugd/8bdf26_0c70819c44b8427eb5aea47eab98e489.pdfONLINE RETREAT: January 21,  9AM - 2 PM EST.  The topic of this retreat is "Building Worthiness and Understanding Codependence".  https://www.tsdmind.org/retreatsImportant links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching for people with past trauma, anxiety and depression disorders, business leaders, and people who work in the helping professions (i.e. counselors, healers and yoga and meditation teachers).

In this episode, Sarah and Jacob talk about their personal meditation practices and what they have found to best support them to gain benefit from sitting. One of the most important teachings related to meditation focus on how we handle losing focus. When we meditate we periodically lose awareness and concentration and go into a state of daydreaming or unconscious. Sarah and Jacob discuss their points of view on this phenomenon and give some practical tips for addressing this challenge.  Use this link to download Sarah's "Ten Tips for Better Concentration" to help you develop your alertness during meditation. https://www.tsdmind.org/_files/ugd/8bdf26_638da1495f7840a8bcc0d806a8c1a1f7.pdfNEXT ONLINE RETREAT: January 21,  9AM - 2 PM EST.  The topic of this retreat will be Worthiness.Important links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching for people with past trauma, anxiety and depression disorders, business leaders, and people who work in the helping professions (i.e. counselors, healers and yoga and meditation teachers).

In this episode, Sarah explains that any idea begins in the mind and then is executed. If this is true, then mindfulness of the workings of your mind and your preset mindsets are key to effectively executing any idea. Sarah and Jacob discuss mindful leadership and how this practice can be used by anyone from a business owner, executive, stay-at-home parent, or employee. Research shows mindful leadership training and coaching supports three major categories: (a) decrease in stress and overcoming burnout, (2) better organization and focus, and (3) improved relationships and how you are perceived by others. Listen and find out how study participants are gaining these benefits with mindful leadership skills. A Strategy for Achieving Significant Change By Robert Pater published in “American Society of safety professionals” 2020Effectiveness and feasibility of a mindful leadership course for medical specialists: a pilot study; BMC Medical Education, 2020The mindful Shield: The effects of mindfulness training on resilience and leadership in military leaders; Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 2021Important links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching for people with past trauma, anxiety and depression disorders, business leaders, and people who work in the helping professions (i.e. counselors, healers and yoga and meditation teachers).

In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss why we criticize ourselves and why we rather keep this habit instead of being compassionate towards ourselves. Could it be that on a deep level we do not want to give up our self-judgemental thoughts because we believe they are what in fact is keeping us from experiencing something bad in our lives? Sarah and Jacob also cover the many reasons why self-compassion can be just plain uncomfortable to practice. Sarah also shares the work of Kristen Neff, especially her thoughts on whether or not it makes sense to be both angry and self-compassionate. And how self-compassion differs between genders. Important links:The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching. 

In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss the ins and outs of internal conflict. Find out what typical internal conflicts look like and healthy ways to address them. Is your internal conflict about opposing needs or trying to be your true self? And is your internal conflict rooted in shame or past trauma? Jacob stresses about getting errands done, finding time for his self-care and spending quality time with his wife. Sarah and Jacob break down Jacob's internal dialogue and uncover what he really needs to find resolution. Please leave us a review if you like this episode!Here is a link to the "Round Table" tool Sarah demonstrated in this episode: https://www.tsdmind.org/_files/ugd/8bdf26_73a466aaa69e45a4a7fd3827a3010f63.pdfImportant links:The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching. 

In this episode, Sarah and Jacob discuss the possible hypothetical outcomes of Donald Trump learning the practice of mindfulness. Would he lie less? Would he treat women better? Would he still have run for president? How would a mindfulness practice change the thinking of someone like Donald Trump? Sarah also shares some revealing research about people with narcissistic traits practicing mindfulness. The results of these studies might surprise you. They certainly perplexed the researchers who conducted the trials.  Please leave us a review if you like this episode!Here is a link to an article outlining the various types of narcissism: https://tinyurl.com/ycks747n“Do bigger egos mean bigger presence? Facets of grandiose narcissism and mindfulness” Current Psychology; 2022 “Pathological narcissism and psychological distress: The mediating effects of vitality, initiative, and mindfulness” Personality and Individual Differences; 2022“Does mindfulness meditation increase empathy? An experiment” Self and Identity; 2017Important links:The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching. 

In this episode, Sarah explains how we can become more mindful and aware of how much space and closeness we need in our romantic relationships and how to gain understanding of how those needs came into being.  Sarah shares Esther Perel's views on what it means to have boundaries in a relationship and how to be more mindful when we are making assumptions. Jacob and Sarah discuss how cognitive biases play a role in our relationships and how to become mindful of our biases. Jacob and Sarah both share their personal struggles in these areas and what they have found to be helpful. Please leave us a review if you like this episode!Important links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.Download supplemental handouts from our blog to support your practice. A transcript is also available on our blog. The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching. 

In this episode, Sarah outlines five categories that make up a well-rounded mindfulness person. How well do you use language to describe your feelings and thoughts? How well do you move into mental neutrality? How well do you observe your physical surroundings? And how well do you pause before you react?  Take the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire at this link http://www.awakemind.org/quiz.php , receive your score and find out what your score means by listening to this episode. Jacob is here too sharing his opinion about a 6-year mindfulness study. Please leave us a review if you like this episode!Important links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.Download supplemental handouts from our blog to support your practice. A transcript is also available on our blog. The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching. 

In this episode, Sarah challenges Jacob's knowledge of Buddhism by testing him with questions most of us don't know the answers to. You might be surprised to learn that reincarnation is not technically associated with Buddhism. And have you ever wondered if the original Buddha was a vegetarian? And have you ever thought about when Buddhist teachers are asked, "Do you believe in God?" how do they respond? And do Buddhist vow to be evangelical and awaken all beings? Find out the answers to these questions and more. Please leave us a review if you like this episode!Important links:The Aware Mind blog: http://www.tsdmind.org/blog  TSD Mindfulness Virtual Meditation Center http://www.tsdmind.org  Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: http://www.sarahvallely.com  Jacob's Personal Training website http://www.jacobderossett.com Jacob's YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/9yykwne9The Aware Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aware_mind_podcast/This episode is a meditation for beginners, and mindfulness for beginners resource. Intermediate and advanced meditators will also benefit. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.Download supplemental handouts from our blog to support your practice. A transcript is also available on our blog. The Aware Mind is produced by TSD Mindfulness, a virtual meditation center, offering mindfulness classes, certifications and private coaching.