Expert teaching on mindfulness practice and Insight meditation, and mindful communication for wellbeing, balance and clarity in life and at work. Join author, meditation teacher, and communication trainer Oren Jay Sofer for guidance and instruction in living in line with your values, resolving conflict, and learning to meditate.
Oren Jay Sofer teaches Buddhist meditation, Dharma, and communication retreats and workshops nationally. A member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, he is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication, a Course Trainer at Mindful Schools, and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for healing trauma. Oren also holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University and is the author of "Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication."
It’s tough sometimes when you don’t actually see the goodness inside…it’s hard in those moments to see redeeming qualities. This is good advice, but possibly very difficult for some.
Thank you so much for this. I've been wanting to speak about the situation in the Middle East but because it's such an emotionally loaded conversation I've held back, afraid of my own reactivity and consequently remained paralyzed but somehow still tense. This has been so helpful to untangle the jumble of my own thoughts and feelings first before I enter into a dialogue or conversation. To remain connected - human to human. Yes! hopefully always.. Thank you...
[05:35] 4 Areas [11:52] Mother Theresa wasn't compassionate. She had a suffering fetish like many saints before her. Mother Theresa said suffering was a gift from God.
She and many other saints and holy people were trying to give meaning to suffering. In many ways it is a hopeful stance. There is a great deal of information out there about suffering as a catalyst, for instance the concept of Tapas in Hinduism and Duhkha in Buddhism. Or the story of Job in the Bible
I'm going through a rough patch of anxiety and depression of knowing I might have a heart problem I'm a true believer of your techniques I'm from Fresno California and I would like to live moment to moment with out feeding the beast
As I listen to your meditation, I start experiencing that present moments awareness and then an ad comes on. I quickly turn the volume down and wait for the skip ad sign, feeling frustration! By the fifth ad interrupting me I experience more frustration and fears of future ads coming to disrupt the present moment experience. When it's all over, I think to myself, he probably put those ads in there to give me an opportunity to go back to the present moment experience in the face of adversity :-). I hate ads! I enjoyed your book though, thanks for writing it.
I found this video very helpful in defining what presence is and setting it in my mind. Being present is the only step I discern from this talk. I would like to know what the other two steps are so I can figure out how I missed them.
Hi Oren. Just wanted to say thanks for the Deep Rest meditation on Calm. It has been part of my routine for a couple of months. It has helped me immensely.
I discovered you on 10% Happier several years ago. Guess we’re all drawn to what resonates with our makeup. So grateful for your guidance and your books. Specifically appreciate your teaching on equanimity. So helpful in these days of deep political, personal challenges, trying to stay centered. Congratulations on your son. All the best.
Thanks for a very relevant talk. There seems to be a gaping hole in the western presentation of early Buddhism when it comes to devotion and our relationship to what is sacred and worthy of deep respect.
Capacity, willingness, time and place, skill level, creativity, access to resources & Own internal clarity about the situation. Thank you for the words we need to consider in conversation!
