Author Archives: tlindquistpsyd

Our mind often wanders as we attempt to create a narrative of our lives, make meaning of our experiences, or find solutions to various challenges we face. In fact, intentional mind wandering or allowing ourselves to think openly and freely can be useful for problem solving and creativity. However, mind wandering can become problematic when weContinue reading “The Untrained Elephant”

What are you grateful for this holiday season? Research in the area of gratitude has found a number of benefits. Foremost, gratitude is associated with high positive affect, low negative affect, and a high satisfaction with life. In terms of relationships, gratitude is associated with perceived quality of relationships and relates to one’s willingness to forgive others.Continue reading “Gratitude”

A 2019 study conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Evite surveyed 2,000 Americans and their social relationship dynamics over a five-year period and revealed that the average American struggled to make new friends. Notably, this was pre-pandemic times when we generally had much more regular social contact. Despite the challenges, most people know that socialContinue reading “Friend Me”

The Discourses on the Establishing of Mindfulness include four elements of practice focused on the body, feeling states, consciousness, and mental objects. Four Foundations of Mindfulness Contemplation of the Body – Being mindful of the breath in the body 2. Contemplation of Feeling – Being mindful of feelings arising 3. Contemplation of Consciousness – BeingContinue reading “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Contemplation of Mental Objects”

The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness includes four elements of practice focused on the body, feeling states, consciousness, and mental objects. Four Foundations of Mindfulness Contemplation of the Body – Being mindful of the breath in the body 2. Contemplation of Feeling – Being mindful of feelings arising 3. Contemplation of Consciousness – BeingContinue reading “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Contemplation of Consciousness”

Ease is defined as the absence of difficulty or effort. To ease is also defined as to make something less serious or severe, soften, and to move carefully and gradually.   Living with ease is different from being relaxed. Specifically, relaxation has more to do with lessening our feelings of tension and reducing stress. Ease hasContinue reading “Living with Ease”

The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness includes four elements of practice focused on the body, feeling states, consciousness, and mental objects. Four Foundations of Mindfulness Contemplation of the Body – Being mindful of the breath in the body Contemplation of Feeling – Being mindful of feelings arising  Contemplation of Consciousness – Being mindful ofContinue reading “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Contemplation of Feeling”

Most current definitions of mindfulness refer to, “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement,” or “the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.”  However, when we take a closerContinue reading “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Contemplation of the Body”

We all manage challenges as we navigate daily life. Most of these challenges are part of life and involve problem-solving and resilience as we move forward toward our personal goals at home or at work. However, there are additional challenges or obstacles that are somewhat more internal in nature. The Buddha highlighted a list ofContinue reading “Working Through Our Hindrances”

“Enlightenment is absolute cooperation with the inevitable.” -Anthony de Mello, S.J. We dwell in a human body that is susceptible to illness, old age, and eventual death. I was recently reminded of this basic truth as I faced a brief period of illness with acute pain in my hands and feet lasting for several days.Continue reading “The Freedom of Equanimity”