Photo Credit: Andres Meneses

This is one of my favorite little stories:

One afternoon, a tired-looking dog wandered into my yard and followed me through the door into the house. He went down the hall, laid down on the couch and slept there for an hour.

Since my dogs didn’t seem to mind his presence, and he seemed like a good dog, I was okay with him being there, so I let him nap. An hour later he went to the door motioned for me to let him out and off he went.

The next day, much to my surprise, he was back. He resumed his position on the couch and slept for another hour.

This continued for several weeks. Finally, curious, I pinned a note to his collar, and on that note I wrote, “Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. I don’t mind, but I want to make sure it’s okay with you.”

The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar. “He lives in a home with three children in it. He’s trying to catch up on his sleep. May I come with him tomorrow?”

While lighthearted, this points toward the mood of compassion. Compassion can be described as letting ourselves be touched by the vulnerability and suffering that is within ourselves and all beings. The full flowering of compassion also includes action: Not only do we attune to the presence of suffering, we respond to it.

There is a wonderful expression that says: “Be kind. Everyone you know is struggling hard.”

It doesn’t matter what age we are, if we’re in these bodies and on planet Earth, it’s not easy. That doesn’t mean that we’re always slaving away or that life is bad, it just means life can be really challenging at times.

Because we are conditioned to pull away from suffering, awakening a compassionate heart requires a sincere intention and a willingness to practice. It can be simple. As you move through your day and encounter different people, slow down enough to ask yourself a question: “What is life like for this person? What does this person most need?” If you deepen your attention, you’ll find that everyone you know is living with vulnerability. Everyone is living with fear, with loss, with uncertainty. Everyone, on some level, needs to feel safe, loved, and seen – just like the dog who just needed a place to rest.

To be kind, we need to slow down and notice.

Enjoy this short video on: The Warmth of Compassion

Adapted from my book Radical Acceptance (2003)
For more information visit: www.tarabrach.com

The post What the Sleepy Dog Taught Me About Compassion appeared first on Intent Blog.

By Bivás Biswas

The general idea about people living in big cities is that they’re mean, they don’t care, they aren’t as compassionate. They don’t have time for other people. They’re full of themselves and are superficial. Many adjectives! I spent my early childhood in Calcutta, one of the largest cities in India, and I now feel a strange connection to L.A.

Does L.A. change people? Fast life, not enough time, lots of dreams, so expensive! The poor, the middle class, and the rich co-exist. Living the contrast is a part of life. The dream of the middle class is to get to where the rich are, and their fear is the guy on the sidewalk, by the freeway, holding a sign. You can lose everything if you fail to keep up with the rat race.

Dating is a nightmare. Exposing vulnerability becomes a game of one step forward, two steps back. It is like some futuristic Japanese deadlock. The person who bowed first had their head chopped off, so now people are standoffish.

More people are into yoga. More people are into wellness. Juicing is a trend. Kale is selling out of the organic shelves. Vegetarianism. Love for animals sometimes exceeds love for people. There’s a raging war between the sexes. More people are into more of everything.

The system runs on a tightrope: you miss a beat and you miss a class, miss a show, miss a meeting, get fired, miss lunch, miss putting in an extra quarter and get a parking ticket.

What can you do? Here are five ways to find peace in the big city:

1. Breathe! How is your breathing right now? Keep reminding yourself that smiling is still good for your health and psyche. Doing a little of what you love everyday is good for your mood. Splashing water on your face and letting the water soak into your pores. The towel pressed against your face smells good and feels warm – hold it there a little longer. Sing in the shower. Sing in your car. Don’t hum, belt it out. Join a comedy class. Learn something new, a new instrument. Pick up the guitar, strum a chord.
2. Believe the best in people even when you can’t see it. Take the first step. Practice giving something to someone everyday! A bottle of water, a smile, a burger, an insight. Share knowledge. If you can’t help the energy drainers, get away from them until you know how to deal with them.
3. Practice mindfulness. Look at the cars around you in traffic, their colors, if they got a wash lately. What are the plates saying? The good thing about traffic is that everyone is trying to move forward. No one gets on the road to just park their car and blast the radio and have a smoke. So there is a common goal. Albeit some people are in no particular hurry so they let the others in. If you’re stuck behind one of these kind, know that they’d let you in too, it’s not their fault you’re stuck behind them. And the ones who are cutting in…well, they’re idiots! Move on!
4. Be vulnerable. Experience hurt. The best part of living in a big city is there are many different kinds of people. You’re going to run into the worst parts of yourself and the best parts of yourself. There is usually a lesson in every experience even if it is not the greatest. Annoying but true!  Pain is therapy. In every struggle there is an opportunity for growth. When there is no struggle there is no growth!
5. Remind yourself to be aware of the little things! A big city has lots of little things! The florist hosing down the sidewalk in front of the store. The barista hanging little lanterns on the tree outside the coffee shop as the sun goes down. Little theaters where struggling artists put up their shows. Old couples walking down the sidewalk at quarter the normal pace of life around them. Sometimes they have to literally think about the next step. See yourself as part of the life around them from their point of view. Look at the different kinds of trees!

The smell of jasmine in the evening. The cracked pavements. The neon lights, the pools of lights and long shadows. And of course the wonderful southern California weather to walk down to the neighborhood grocery store just to enjoy the evening breeze. Hiking and the beach, the city from the mountain top and lessons from the ocean…that’s a whole other blog.

The bigger the city, the smaller it feels. Maybe I’ll see you in traffic! Stay well.

* * *

Bivás has had a successful career as a Software Engineer/Consultant for 13 years. He worked as a Computer Scientist on U.S. Defense projects through Honeywell Aerospace. Besides engineering, he is a filmmaker and an actor, has co-produced and directed a feature film called PARANOIA and has helped finance 3 others. As an actor, he has appeared in many independent features including a HBO mini-documentary and a series for the Discovery Channel. He is originally from Calcutta, India.

Originally published on Bivás’ blog, 24FramesLater.

Photo sourced http://jimmillersworld.com

The post 5 Ways to Find Peace in a Big City Like Los Angeles appeared first on Intent Blog.

6 summer stress-management strategies:

1. The season’s emphasis is on being natural. Light clothing and bathing suits reveal more of who you truly are as you let down your guard and take off your mask revealing your authentic self. And if you cringe at this aforementioned thought, then improve or change who you are! Note that self-suppression is a potent stressor which can lead to heart disease. Communicating openly and naturally reduces the likelihood of stress due to misunderstanding or the famous words, “I should have said…”
2. Sunshine lifts the spirit and the Vitamin D which penetrates the body through exposed skin improves health, strengthens bones and boosts the immune system. Better to get sun-kissed Vitamin D than wonder about which supplements to take as well as the dosage. However, don’t over tan as skin cancer is the downside.
3. Summer childhood memories remind us to take vacation, even a staycation, or frequent mini-vacations. Although you might fear taking time off from work, you actually come back better.
4. Outdoor activity directly counteracts technology overload to reset natural rhythm. Being more active helps to alleviate anxiety and break negative loops. Taking a walk during a lunch break restores and reignites productivity.
5. Hot summer days, like those in Mediterranean countries, help to manage weight as you tend to eat lighter foods like fresh salads and fish. The heat encourages you to drink more water and eat fresh local fruit. Have a pitcher of your own spa water on hand. Simply fill with water and slice up a favorite fruit, chill and sip. Once you shift eating habits to more fruits, vegetables, lean protein and more water this summer, you will transfer them to fall and winter; in fact, you will crave this fare.
6. Summer brings longer daylight hours which energize you. However, instead of doing more chores, you reward yourself with more fun and me time. Hmmm, this last tip is the best one of all. Once you take care of yourself and behave like a healthy narcissist, you have arrived at the root of which all stress-management is based.

What are some of your favorite relaxing summer activities? Let me know in the comments section!

The post 6 Ways to Chill This Summer appeared first on Intent Blog.

Air pollution has a powerful effect on our health. Allergies, asthma, heart disease, and even appendicitis have all been linked to poor air quality, and many of the toxins we’re breathing in are circulating indoors. In the largest ever systematic study of the distribution and causes of major diseases and health risk factors around the world, the World Health Organization recently found that:

• About 3.5 million deaths a year are caused by indoor air pollution.
• About 3.3 million deaths are caused by outdoor air pollution.
• About 0.5 million deaths are caused by a combination of indoor and outdoor air pollution
• The total number of deaths caused by air pollution is around 6.3 million.

According to the EPA, most of us spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. Surprisingly, indoor air is often much more polluted than outdoor air, even in the largest and most industrialized cities. While some cities and states have laws to regulate outdoor air pollution, most of us rarely give a second thought to the air in our homes. Fortunately, there are some relatively simple and inexpensive actions you can take to improve indoor air quality where you live.

Here’s a round-up of everything you need to know to protect your family from air pollutants:

Allergies? Maybe It’s Your Air Conditioning (American News Report)

Healthier, Cleaner Air For Your Family (Mother Nature News)

4 Ways to Get The Best Indoor Air Quality (Popular Mechanics)

Top 10 Green Buildings in America (Scientific American)

Top 5 Plants For Improving Indoor Air Quality (TreeHugger)

Finally, while it’s important to make sure the air you’re breathing at home is as clean as possible, it’s significantly more difficult to control the toxins you’re breathing in when you travel. The recirculated air in planes, trains, and buses is infamously bad for your health, but many hotels fail to adequately regulate their indoor air quality as well. Be sure to inquire with hotels before you book about their air purification systems, and if possible choose a place to stay that has your wellness in mind.

*****

Are you ready for a healthy Vegas vacation?

The first of their kind in the world, Stay Well Rooms at the MGM Grand in Vegas are furnished with a number of amenities designed to maximize health, wellness, and relaxation. From dawn simulator alarm clocks, to state-of-the-art air and water purification systems, to aromatherapy, Stay Well rooms provide an unprecedented opportunity to have a healthy travel experience — even in Las Vegas. Designed by real-estate pioneer Delos Living, in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Deepak Chopra, Stay Well will change the way you think about travel and hotel rooms. Learn more or book your reservation here.

The post How to Protect Your Family From Air Pollution appeared first on Intent Blog.

I wrote this poem in November of 2010, shortly after coming home from a yoga retreat at Esalen that was focused on recovery from all forms of addiction. What became clear to me there was that it really is a dis-ease caused by the desire for MORE – this poem has a little fun with that:) I’ve gone back to the same retreat for 3 years now and it’s amazing!! Such a cool group of people from all around the world. Check out this year’s retreat here.

The post Wordplay Wednesday: More appeared first on Intent Blog.

Reality is entirely dependent upon perception, and perception occurs in consciousness. That is why reality may be different in the seven different states of consciousness (the first three of which we are most familiar with):

1. Deep sleep
2. Dreaming
3. Waking
4. Soul consciousness – In this state you become aware of yourself as the observer of reality. Who is listening? Who is watching? Ask yourself this right now, and see if you become aware of a silent witness: your core consciousness – or soul.
5. Cosmic consciousness – This is to be in the world but not of it. Your silent witness – or soul – has awoken and is alert in all states, including deep sleep and dreaming.
6. Divine consciousness – You witness the universal in the particular. All of existence is present in every manifestation of creation.
7. Unity consciousness – The personal witness merges with the universal witness, and you experience the whole universe as your own extended body. In this state, your inner being radiates passion, love, and ecstasy.

So, would you like to make the journey to enlightenment?

Subscribe to The Chopra Well and join us tomorrow at 12PM PDT for our LIVE Google+ Hangout with Deepak Chopra, Sanjiv Chopra, Amy Purdy and other guests on “The Science of Survival”!

The post Deepak Chopra: The Journey to Enlightenment appeared first on Intent Blog.

What’s the deal with Gluten?

With all the hype around “gluten-free” food, this is a question I often get. “What is the big deal?” the question goes. “People have been eating wheat for thousands of years.” They’re right, of course. Wheat is called the “staff of life” for a reason. It has been nourishing us since the dawn of civilization. Traced as far back as the ancient Egyptians, wheat has been a mainstay in the human diet. So, what happened that changed this nourishing grain into a toxin for many people?

The answer is that what we eat now is not the wheat our ancestors ate. It’s not even the wheat our grandparents ate. The wheat we grew in this country a scant 50 years ago does not even resemble the over processed, pesticide-laden, gluten packed stuff that is common throughout the western world. Most of the wheat in our current food supply is a dwarf variety that has been hybridized to have as much as 10 times the amount of gluten as its ancestors 100 years ago. This, plus the pesticides, fungicides, and over-processing over the last 50 years has made wheat almost unrecognizable from it’s original nutritious form.

In just 10 years, the numbers of reported gluten intolerance and celiac disease have seen a meteoric rise. One report found that while only 1 in 2500 people reported a gluten intolerance in 1990, the number is 1 in 133 today.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and related grain species like spelt, rye, barley, and kamut. This grain is used as a “glue” for holding together most baked goods, as well as some candies. It is used as a thickening agent for soups, glazes, marinades and sauces. Gluten can also be found in processed deli meats, textured vegetable protein, lipstick and play-doh, among other unlikely places.

So, what’s the problem?

The problem is that gluten is difficult for many people to digest. Gluten intolerance occurs when the body reacts to gluten as it would to a virus or bacteria. It sees the protein as a foreign invader and attacks. This is called an immune response. This response creates inflammation, and inflammation causes anything from joint pain to headaches to eczema to inability to concentrate to fatigue, as well as the more commonly associated stomach pain and indigestion.

 What is the difference between a gluten intolerance and celiac disease?

A common misconception is that gluten intolerance and celiac disease are interchangeable terms. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease have a common culprit, but the way the body responds to it is different. Both conditions create an immune response in the body. The difference is that celiac disease also creates an auto-immune response, which means that the body not only attacks the foreign invader, but it also attacks itself. This results in the villi in the lining of the stomach being killed off by the body’s immune system. The villi absorb the nutrients from the food we eat, so most people with untreated celiac disease will also show signs of malnourishment.

Either way, gluten intolerance and celiac disease create major disruptions in the way your body digests food. Doctors and scientists are discovering many ways that gluten can impact your health. A newly recognized form of celiac is called behavioral celiac. This condition occurs when the symptoms tend more towards disruptive behavior, and inability to concentrate, than the more common signs of celiac, and is often misdiagnosed as ADHD.

How do I know if I’m intolerant?

Unlike celiac, there is no reliable test for gluten intolerance. The best way to find out if you are gluten intolerant is to take it out of your diet for a while and then put it back in and see how you react. A major problem is that the Standard American Diet is packed with gluten. It is in nearly all processed and fast foods because it is inexpensive and flexible. If you are intolerant, you can be having a chronic low level inflammatory response and not even know it. Maybe you are tired in the afternoon or tend to get headaches or feel bloated. Maybe you think that this is not a big deal. The fact is that this low level inflammation is the root cause of most diseases, and should be taken seriously.

The Bottom Line on Gluten

Everybody’s body is different. If you’re interested in a gluten-free diet, the very best thing to do is try it out for yourself. You may be one of the many people who discovers it improves their health, mood, and overall wellness.

I strongly recommend trying a 7-day elimination diet. Eat absolutely no gluten for 7 days, and monitor your energy level, mood, and mental clarity. On the 8th day eat a bagel (which is like eating a brick of gluten) for breakfast and see how you feel for the next 24 hours. If you find that you get that familiar headache, stomach ache, or feel sluggish, then you might have an issue with gluten and should remove it from your diet.

Need help figuring out how to go gluten-free? Take a look at my list of gluten-free diet substitutes.

If you’re interested experimenting with GF recipes, try my delicious gluten-free banana chocolate chip muffins!

The post The Bottom Line on Gluten – No Longer the “Staff of Life”? appeared first on Intent Blog.

 I have written about this before, many times in fact, but still the story comes back and demands to be told. It is a good story.

It happened when I sat in a club, a rock club to be precise, all by myself at a table, with a beer for company. I waited for friends to arrive. I was thinking.

How did I come to think about this surrounded by lights filtered through cigarette smoke, deafened by blaring rock and poked now and them by somebody’s studs or army boots, I do not remember. I thought about the way. The right way. The only way.

“It is straight and narrow, they say,” I thought, “so how do I find it? How do I know I walk it? How do I know I don’t?” I pondered and the questions faded away and melted into the smoky shadows.

“There is no way. There is no one way.”

In the absence of questions the answer became quite clear: there is no one way, neither narrow nor wide, neither right nor wrong. There is me, and I choose.

That was a significant thing for me to know right there, in that club, at that time. I was about to finish college, I was about to go out into the world and make a life for myself and it was very important for me to know that whatever I choose, whichever direction I’ll walk, it will be the right direction, it will be the right choice.

Because it will be mine.

Click here for Find Out What You Want – Step #1

The post Find Out What You Want – Step #2 appeared first on Intent Blog.

If you are working through a difficult issue in your life – such as sexual identity, questioning faith, loss of a loved one, or financial hardship – you may be a perfect fit.

Participants will sit down with Reverend Ed Bacon, esteemed pastor and self-help expert recently featured Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Super Soul Sunday,” to discuss these concerns and receive inspiring advice, right in the heart of Venice Beach, California! Refer to the flier below for application information.

PLEASE APPLY TO: AdviceRevBacon@gmail.com

WHAT: Seeking participants for the new show “Help Desk” for The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN)

WHEN:  Thursday June 6

WHO: Reverend Ed Bacon is a celebrated self-help expert recently featured on Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Super Soul Sunday”. He is the rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, a congregation dedicated to urban ministry and interfaith dialogue.

WHERE: Recreation center in Venice Beach, CA

DESCRIPTION: Help Desk is a new television show on OWN that features renowned self-help experts making themselves available in public spaces to provide advice to anyone who needs it. Help Desk is a deeply substantive series that grounds some of the great wisdom provided by today’s top experts and helps people live better and more fulfilling lives. Although the event is public, we are looking to secure a select group of participants who will be given priority to gain a spot to sit down with Reverend Bacon.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: We need people who are seeking advice to help them with a specific life issue or circumstance.

Below are several examples but we are open to hearing about any particular issues you would like to discuss:

• Leaving or questioning faith
• Dealing with criticism
• The stress involved by “coming out” to family and friends
• Conflicting sexual and spiritual identities
• Loss of a family member or friend
• Divorce or breakup
• Coping with job loss
• Struggling with alienation, loneliness, or existential doubt
• Overcoming addiction
• Veterans suffering from PTSD
• Managing work life and spiritual life
• Combating stereotypes
• Overcoming specific anxieties or fears
• Parenting issues
• Financial hardship
• Sex and relationship issues

Requirements:

1. We need applicants to be available during the day on June 6 at the beach recreation center in Venice Beach, California
2. Simple description of yourself (age, profession, relationships status) contact information (email and phone number)
3. Photo of yourself
4. Single paragraph description of the specific life circumstance that you need spiritual advice to overcome.
5. Specific question(s) you would like to ask Reverend Bacon
6. If selected, applicants will need to sign an Appearance Release

Send email with answers to the above questions to: AdviceRevBacon@gmail.com

The post Los Angeles: Be in a new OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) show w/ Rev. Ed Bacon, 6/6/13! appeared first on Intent Blog.

At age 14 Zach Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that primarily affects children and teenagers. At 17, Zach’s doctors told him he only had a few more months to live, and he was determined to make the most of it. Zach passed away yesterday, May 20, but his legacy will live on.

In this inspiring and intimate documentary produced by SoulPancake, Zach discusses his motivation to become a musician in the remaining time he had and his process in producing the viral YouTube music video, “Clouds.” Take a moment to watch the short documentary, listen to some of Zach’s music, and celebrate this young man’s amazing life.

Here is “Clouds” by Zach Sobiech:

Zach’s family has requested that anyone inspired by his story and interested in showing their support consider donating to their Osteosarcoma research fund.

The post “My Last Days”: 17-Year-Old Zach Sobiech Dies of Cancer, But Not Before Becoming a Rock Star appeared first on Intent Blog.