Being Mindful

I often talk about mindfulness and the benefit it has to our wellbeing.  If you are in the Springfield, Missouri area, this is a great opportunity to learn more about what it is and how to become more mindful.  Check it out!

Ever heard of Mindfulness Mediation and wonder just what it is and how it could be helpful to you?
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a method of using meditation to cultivate awareness and reduce stress. It is based on the ancient practice of mindfulness, which is about waking up, being fully alive, and being present for the richness of each moment of our lives.
Mercy Integrative Medicine
 invites you to join us in
“A Moment of Mindfulness Meditation”
with
Dr. Maureen Hall
Saturday, August 11, 2012
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Located in Mercy Health Plans Building, 3265 S. National, 2nd floor conference room
Please bring a sack lunch and drink.
 There is no charge for the session but donations for Dr. Hall will be gratefully accepted

To reserve your space, email Terri Driver at Terri.Driver@Mercy.net or call 417-820-3342
 Space is limited so register today!

50 shades of Knowing What You Want

Whether you liked the books or not, one thing that Fifty Shades Of Grey did was to get women thinking more about sex.  Even if BDSM isn't your cup of tea, I would encourage you to think about what it is that does turn you on and rev you up!  We all have different wants and needs, so rather than taking on whatever the "self-help book of the week" tells you it is that women like, let's talk about what you like.

As women, sometimes our sexual needs get lost in the day-to-day grind of family, job, and other obligations.  When was the last time you allowed yourself a moment to let your mind wander to the erotic? What do you fantasize about when you do allow yourself that pleasure?  When it comes to fantasy, some fantasies are fair game to talk about and act out; while other fantasies are fun and titillilating, they stay in the realms of the imagination--for whatever reason.  

Give yourself permission to spend some alone time--and think about what fantasies get you thinking about pleasure!  If you are having trouble getting started, there are some great books out there that can help point you in a great direction--I like the books by Nancy Friday.  They have been around awhile, but are tried and true.  Her books give a sampling of what women fantasize about, and the topics are many!  So, give it a go--dream away!

Tale of two lovers

Love rests on two pillars:  surrender and autonomy.  Our need for togetherness exists alongside our need for separateness.  One does not exist without the other.  With too much distance, there can be no connection.  But too muchy merging eradicates the separateness of two distinct individuals.  Then there is nothing more to transcend, no bridge to walk on, no one to visit on the other side, no other internal world to enter.  When people become fused--when two become one--connection can no longer happen.  There is no one to connect with.        

--exerpt from Esther Perel's book, "Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence".

 I love this book and Perel's message regarding connection.  We have to find the balance between togetherness and separateness in our erotic relationship, in order for sexual desire to be realized.  It's hard to look at your partner as a lover when you are merged in a way that is unhealthy, or when you are too distant.  Both extremes take away from the enigma of seduction and desire.  What does your erotic relationship need to be more exciting?  Do you need to be more connected with each other or take some healthy breaks now and then?  Click here to read more from Mating In Captivity.

Be a love detective

Do you and your partner continually have the same argument?  Many couples come to therapy and report not only the same fight, but they fight the same way over and over again.  How do we put an end to this frustrating cycle?  Be a love detective!

Instead of going to your separate corners and putting on the boxing gloves, sit with each other and gather clues.  Ask your partner questions to help you understand what happened and what his/her thought process was. Here are some ideas for being a super love sleuth:

• What happened?
• What kept you from getting the task completed?
• Is there a way to improve the way we get that particular task done?
• What was your thought process when you said or did  ____________?
• Am I understanding this correctly? Do you mean ______________?
• Do you have any other solutions?

There are many questions that you can ask--just be sure the questions don't have a "blaming" or condescending tone, such as "what on earth were you thinking?!". Try and keep your voice calm and neutral, leaving the emotion out of it.  Ask questions with the intent of gathering information and not to use later as "ammunition".  Your partner will appreciate the effort you are making to understand the situation.  Sherlock Holmes, look out!

Savoring life

Oprah recently shared several fascinating articles on her website, featuring the Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh (click here to see article).  One article was an interview about his new book, "Savor: Mindful Eating", in which he focuses on savoring food instead of simply eating our food mindlessly.  I love this concept and in fact, have taught this way of savoring with each of our senses in past workshops.  Using a chocolate kiss, I taught participants to savor the bit of chocolate goodness with all of their senses, being in the moment with the experience.  I use the same type of concept with clients, encouraging them to "be in the moment" with a cup of coffee or tea.  

How can you be in the moment?  Try sitting with your coffee or tea, or a piece of chocolate.  Savor the smell, notice the way it looks,  feel the warmth of the cup or the smoothness of the chocolate, taste it with relish.  As you sit with this experience, try to simply notice any intrusive thoughts, without judgement, then let the thought go.  Enjoy that particular moment, not worrying about what the day will bring or the dishes you should be doing.  

What if you could practice this way of being mindful in other ways? You could go for a walk, noticing the breeze on your face, actually smelling the roses, paying attention to the way your body moves.  How wonderful it would be to take a "mindful" walk, instead of letting worries rent space in our brains for free!  Even doing chores would take on a different "feel"-- the silkiness of soap suds, the squishiness of a sponge--see where I'm going with this idea?

This brings me to sex.  What if you could "savor" your lover's body?  Feel the way the hip curves or the turn of the jaw, the way your partner's skin tastes, or the smell of freshly washed hair.  Sex can be such a sensual moment, if we abandon thoughts like--"does my bottom look big in this position," "I should be cleaning the house right now," or "is my erection firm enough."  Try savoring your partner like you might savor a glass of good wine, noticing every part of the body with your senses, taking it in with relish.  Similarly, notice the yummy sensations of your own body--without judgement.  Savoring...