Elephant Journal: Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis: Recent Episodes
Waylon H. Lewis
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis about walking our talk—every day, in every moment. It ain’t about being perfect. Waylon Lewis, founder of Elephant Journal, talks about everyday Buddhism, meditation, eco-actions large and small, and features conversations with leading mindful thought leaders, both famous and overlooked.
This week on “Walk the Talk Show,” Waylon rallies for community-inspired love for the mothers and mother figures in our lives—including the mother of them all, big mama, Mother Earth herself.
“ We can do better. We can teach men that real masculinity is based on taking responsibility and being willing to apologize. That's owning something. That's true leadership. It's built on being kind to others.”
This week on our long-running “Walk the Talk Show” podcast and video series, Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the mind-blowing factoid he discovered about the origins of the "alpha male" concept when it was studied in the 80s and about how it actually means the exact opposite of what we believe today.
This week, Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the reality of aging and growing older...about how it doesn't match our childhood utopic idea of what being an "adult" may mean, and shares his advice for younger folks who may be realizing that they're surrounded by cynics—and a lack of ethics. Read the full article on Elephant!
Support the Good Wolf.
This week, Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about April Fools' Day, why he calls it a holy Buddhist holiday, and shares the reasoning behind why we go hard on the so-called joking on this day each year as a publication. He also offers a reminder for us all about The Man and Big Tech, and how we may not be walking our talk as often as we think we are.
Waylon: "When Elephant talks—jokes—about selling out on April Fools' Day, people are offended, or freaked out, or just plain sad. Which I actually think is healthy! What I think is actually troubling is how many 'congratulations' I get every year for 'selling out to The Man and becoming filthy rich...'"
If you can't boycott 'em, use them...instead of just being used by them.
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the upcoming No Kings Day on March 28th, 2026, and gives us two small tasks we can do to protect our democracy:
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Subscribe to real, actual journalism versus social media or corporate media.
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Show up peacefully to protest this Saturday. Find a protest near you! Our Walk the Talk Show Editor, Molly, will be joining the flagship event being held in St. Paul, Minnesota. There's also an event in good 'ole Indy for Waylon to join!
Waylon sums it up: "There's nothing more American than peacefully protesting when you feel your government has absconded or failed its duty to uphold democratic and peaceful, transparent values."
As Ben Franklin said, it's our republic if we can keep it.
“Is it okay to feel anger, from a Buddhist point of view?”
This week, Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the very real feeling that many people across the United States (and the world) are feeling: anger.
Each week Waylon and Molly, our Walk the Talk Show editor, chat about what's going on in the world and what might be of benefit to our Readers on the next Walk the Talk Show episode. In an act of angry desperation about the state of the world, Molly sent Waylon a text at the end of a long day and said: "I think people want some wisdom or some method to help them process the current events and (dare I say it) anger. Like, I want a podcast called: It's Okay to be Angry & Still be a Buddhist."
And that, friends, is where this moment of everyday wisdom came from. Waylon—heroically sallying forth despite being visibly in a pre-morning coffee state of half-being—talking about anger and if it's "okay" to feel those feelings from a mindful perspective.
Recently, thanks to Shambhala Publications and our friend Ivan Bercholz, we had the chance to ask Pema Chodron, the wonderful Buddhist teacher I’ve been lucky enough to know all my life, a brief question.
It was Willa and Kelsey’s first time meeting Pema!
It was a pleasure and an honor and helpful in an earthy way. Dharma is always surprising in how it rings true and surprises my thinking mind. ~ Waylon Lewis
Read the full article on Elephant: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2026/03/im-a-new-father-i-asked-pema-chodron-how-we-should-prepare-our-daughter-for-a-wild-world/
The thing I'm always trying to explain to my liberal idiot friends is that the climate crisis, global warming, global shawarmaing—whatever you want to call it—doesn't really matter.
You know why? 'Cause I'm 51. Even if global warming were true—which, obviously, it's not; FAKE NEWS!—I'll be dead.
So it doesn't matter, right?
Right?
~
Read the full article on Elephant: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2026/03/it-doesnt-matter-if-were-good-to-mother-nature-right-waylon-lewis-walk-the-talk-show-podcast-video/
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the very real reality that many people in cities across the United States are dealing with the endless, overwhelming onslaught of outright lies, disinformation, political retribution, and loud-and-proud discrimination we are living in during Trump’s second term in office.
The attacks are never-ending, and they naturally lead to a feeling of overwhelm, and overwhelm can lead to…you guessed it: burnout.
After speaking to a friend in Minneapolis who has seen and experienced this firsthand, he’s here to offer a Buddhist perspective on burnout plus three specific things we can all (un)do right now if we want to climb out of the burnout hole.
Find the full article on Elephant Journal: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2026/02/three-things-to-undo-right-now-if-youre-burned-out-waylon-lewis-walk-the-talk-show-podcast-video/
Waylon meets Jeff Fulmer, the author of the book "The Two Prophets," and discusses how this is a book to help millions of readers digest, process, and even enjoy this over-full moment in human history.
"Touching on every issue we’re all going through in these turbulent times, it’s a page-turning adventurous read that’s fun, yet serious. You can sit down with a good book, read it, and take in current events—which are pretty stressful—but have a good time doing so because it's been novelized. It's a fun story. I read it and loved it. I'll be reading his other books now." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Want to learn more about the book? We've got the goods: https://www.elephantjournal.com/the-two-prophets-by-jeff-fulmer-partner/
Find the full article on Elephant Journal about this interview: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2026/02/a-novel-for-this-moment-waylon-w-jeff-fulmer-author-of-the-two-prophets-walk-the-talk-show-podcast-video/
Waylon catches up with one of our favorite guests: mindful meditator, sangha friend, and feng shui expert Anjie Cho. They discuss how hard last year was, the Year of the Yin Wood Snake, what we should consider at the tail of the Snake year before the official shift into the Horse year, and what we can do to prepare before the Lunar, or Eastern, or Tibetan/Chinese New Year.
"It's interesting. No one has said that last year was wonderful. They're like—2025 sucked.
Because a lot of people had such a difficult 2025, many people have asked me: what can I do right now in this transition?
They recognize there's this bardo—this in-between space—that feels important to pay attention to.
So what do we do specifically over the next couple weeks, if anything?
I'm asking people to sit down and think about like what is it that they shed in the last year. Notice what's transformed, and what is still kind of there. Write that down and contemplate that. You could even burn that piece of paper and let it go. And then, think about what is it that you want to grow instead—you can use the energy of the Horse to propel you forward."
~ Anjie Cho
Read Anjie's article and find your personal, mindful aspiration to contemplate in this Year of the Yang Fire Horse based on your zodiac animal.
Find Anjie's podcast: https://www.holisticspaces.com
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the trap of positivity and how it can actually do the opposite of what we think, and result in us turning away from the outside world and instead showing up in the world in a more cold or withdrawn manner.
Instead, if we are accepting, and powerful, and courageous, and brave, and vulnerable, by opening up to the world around us as it is—reality—we can hear, and learn from it and instead of sitting in stress or fear of hearing it, we can say, how can I help? How am I a part of this? And those are good questions to ask, because they then allow us to look at solutions.
"Our hearts are not available if we're concerned first with feeling happy and relaxed. When our loyalty is to feeling happy and relaxed, it's actually a very stressful place to be because we're constantly trying to push away negative things and cling to positive things." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about being a new father and the need to provide a livable planet for our children to thrive on for generations to come. Now is the time to resist and not to give our power away, and we can do this by dozens of minute, mindful actions we can take every day, and by being Buddhist (not religiously) in the sense that we're being kind to ourselves.
"We need a habitable planet for Willa, and all our children, to live on. I know we know this, but we don't really act like it. " ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about not giving up our power. Last week's podcast was on the theme of reclaiming our power, and this week he digs into this a little more in-depth.
Some folks may ask, "Who cares if I do something environmentally-responsible or not?"
Well, every little thing does matter to someone or something. And, billionaires' actions matter much more. But, still, too, every little thing we do matters—because there's billions of us. And, it's the right thing to do—the kind thing to do.
"Powerlessness is actually convenient for our egos. The truth is that we have power. Most of us may not have a lot of power, but we have power. We have power to inspire. We have power to upset, and to depress. We have power for neurosis. We have power for sanity..." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about using our collective power for good.
“Reclaim your own power—do what you can with where you are, now, starting now. Put more love and healing into our dear world and take out some of the aggression and casual, speedy, destructive selfishness.”
~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about the 2025 election and the power of small-d democracy in action.
"So much to celebrate last night. Meaningful victories for public servants who will serve us and US, across the board. The beginning— just the beginning—of a repudiation of Donald Trump’s corruption and willful destruction of democracy. But most of all: a reminder that most of us are good caring people. Let’s do this!!"
~ Waylon H. Lewis
This is a challenge for most of us.
Be kind to yourself. We have to work with our own thing—open up, be wakeful and available first, then we can help the world. There is nothing more intimate than working with family. That is a path of meditation or mindfulness. This is our practice.
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis presents: our 300th Podcast!
Waylon speaks with the founder of Boulder, Colorado-based Peak State Coffee, Danny Walsh, about what we should look for in our daily cup of joe and why we might want to re-empower our buying power and support a eco, ethical coffee companies.
Danny Walsh: " When I was going into business, I was like, 'I'm not gonna start just another business in this modern age unless it's better than what's out there from an environmental and sustainability perspective.' Not all coffee is created equal."
Their conversation jumps from the misnomer that "coffee is coffee," to growing practices, to certifications, to flavor, cost, and the basic ethics and labor behind your cup of coffee.
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about a Buddhist teaching that will always bring you back to the truth, especially when things are at their hardest and it feels like the world is going to crap. Lean on this notion.
“Impermanence is a teaching that reminds us that when we can’t find any ground, when there’s chaos…that’s actually good news because we’re living in the truth that there is no solidity. That who we are doesn’t really stop with who you are and doesn’t really stop with this tree over here or with the sky above. Impermanence actually makes us an environmentalist because we care about everything—the greater good—including ourselves.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon speaks with the Elephant community about a Buddhist method to apply toward making decisions in our lives—big, or little.
Suggested Reading:
- Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind ~ Shunryu Suzuki
- Read more about "don't-know mind": https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/i-dont-know-do-you-know/
We're seeing a lot of talk about being Christian and the Rapture and all. Most of it is missing the point: Jesus' message of compassion was radical for his time, and clearly still is today.
What was your favorite Redford film or two that you’d recommend to others here?
RIP, Bob. Thank you, Mr. Robert Redford, for being an iconoclast—an example particularly to so many young men like myself of humor and strength and kindness and integrity in a world of unoriginality, greed, willful harm, and suffering.
Read the full article with more context from Waylon, here, on Elephant Journal: A Personal Goodbye to Robert Redford. ~ Waylon Lewis {+ Podcast, Walk the Talk Show video}
Breathe through the Big Moment. Easier said than done, right? Serious psychological issues, trauma, or deep-seated issues...those require a different approach. But this conversation is an opportunity to talk openly about the Buddhist approach to our everyday stress and anxiety that we’re all experiencing—perhaps more in 2025 than ever.
"I'm talking about sort of surface everyday stress and anxiety. You're speedy. You're not getting enough done. You're lazy. From a Buddhist point of view, laziness is a reaction to busyness where you want to take a break, but you tune out in a way that isn't actually relaxing." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon shares a wish for our sweet, sweet (endangered) place in the solar system:
Imagine if we could celebrate Halloween without trashing our planet and teaching our children that it’s okay to do so.
What we All (especially Parents, hopefully) Want.
Waylon shares a reminder that while we all want nice air to breathe, healthy water to drink, a stable planet for our children to grow up on, and for our children to be safe...we vote for politicians and support corporations that do the exact opposite. Again and again.
"We gotta walk our talk. So that's the name of this video series, Walk The Talk Show. It's exhausting. It's exhausting to talk about the same thing. So this is just a reminder, if you do care—let's deeply care. Let's be willing to care, willing to expose our hearts and actually make some changes." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
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"The vast majority of Americans want to take action. Thoughts and prayers are a great start. Nothing's wrong with thoughts and prayers, but if that's where it ends, everything's wrong with thoughts and prayers." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon shares with Elephant Readers, our community, and everyone listening, a simple plug for love in a moment when the GOP / MAGA is again looking to take away gay marriage rights.
"Ultimately, we all want to be happy, whatever that looks like. We need to remember that when people are in love, that's one of the greatest contributors to societal happiness and stability." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon shares a counter-intuitive, Buddhist-inspired tip for those struggling to find motivation—whether you're an entrepreneur, a parent, a teacher, or simply a human who has to "produce something." If we have to do something, have to earn something, want to accomplish something...well, we all sometimes struggle.
" If you’re struggling to 'produce' at work, take a step back. Pressure won’t help. That’s burnout and doesn’t create great work or good leadership. Rediscover your motivation. Do something fun or kind for yourself. Then jump back in, with mission harnessed to motivation. You got this!" ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon speaks about four (plus a bonus fifth!) methods we can use to clean our minds in these times that are, to put it kindly, a little nuts.
" We need to actively clean our minds, and by that I don't mean we need to be pure. I mean that we need to come back to our basic human goodness." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
This week on Walk the Talk Show, Waylon speaks about how Superman is an ideal Buddhist hero.
"Growing up, Superman was a hero of mine. Kind. Caring. He used his strength, his power, not for evil or hurt or selfishness but to protect those in need, children, the vulnerable. He wasn’t grim, like Batman. He was, in Buddhist fashion, vulnerable himself (Kryptonite) and unafraid to smile, to romance, to fly high and celebrate this magical life and world from a lovely yet noble and appreciative, loving point of view. I’m glad to see his example back. We need kindness as heroism, now." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
As some have guessed.
And our dear friends and neighbors and family already know.
And Winnie I think knows, as he now settles in a ball at Kelsey’s feet, always.
We’re pregnant.
Mostly Kelsey, as I like to say/acknowledge/dad joke.
I felt our little one move in momma’s belly for the first time on my first father’s day...
Paradigm Shift? Not so easily.
This week, Waylon speaks about the responsibility all generations have to take steps to invest in kindness, honesty, and planet-saving actions such as avoiding plastic. It’s not the role of one, lone generation to solve the problems created by those who came before them.
"One of my least favorite blind spots among Boomers, or older folks, is a sort of lazy nihilism where they say, ‘Oh, you know, the next generation is so beautiful and they’re gonna they’re going to change everything and save everything, and they care about our earth and everything will be fine.’
I feel like it’s a lack of accountability, a lack of responsibility, and they believe the next generation will fix everything we’ve messed up. It’s a fake way of blaming themselves without actually caring.”
~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon discusses what true richness really is, and reminds us all that our task in this lifetime is to keep our hearts open. It all connects when we keep our hearts open, and raw.
" True richness isn't being a billionaire. True richness is being in a society where everyone is safe and can be joyful and can have success."
~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon discusses difficult (or not) relationships, the need for respectful honesty (with ourselves, and our loved ones), and the good news that challenging relationships can change, such as his with his own father.
" I think a lot of us have difficulty with our mothers or our fathers or our country—whatever it is. So when there's a day celebrating them such as Father's Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day—we're conflicted. And I think it's good, as with funerals and eulogies, to be honest and critical, and respectful in our criticism, and, loving—all of it. I love the Irish wakes: say everything—be joyful, mourn, fully, feel it all, show it all. Be fully honest, but respectful and loving about it, and be bold enough to be critical. Most folks frankly don't share that view. But I think when we have that view, we're full-hearted in what we say. And we can honor that people grow..." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon discusses democracy, independent media, and how you can be a participant—if you care.
“We [Elephant] often criticize Donald Trump—and we're fine with disagreement and discussion. But we're not fine with hate or lies. That's our line. We're totally fine with people correcting us, or thinking differently. We're not okay with different facts. Facts are facts...because they're true! You drop an apple and it falls. That's related to gravity and to science. From a spiritual point of view, our approach is empathy, openness, learning, not holding on to trying to be perfect. And the most important word, I think, in the Elephant land is 'caring.' Often we get comments about how we're disrespecting the flag, or how we're not patriots, or we should move out of the United States—we get told to eff off or leave the country if we don't love it. Well, my love, like any healthy relationship, is rooted in (hopefully) honesty and the courage to be honest, in a respectful way—which is a journalism ethic.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
This week on our longrunning “Walk the Talk Show” podcast and video series, Waylon discusses Buddhism and Sadness.
Caring isn’t easy, but it leads to a beautiful, kind world that is easier on all of us.
In a world where aggression is normalized, a soft, naive, joyfully troublemaking or curious heart is easily wounded, saddened, even depressed.
Aggression creates further aggression. Kindness, with strength behind it, creates enlightened society.
Everyday, little, ordinary moments are the best…
Waylon talks about Mother's Day and Motherhood with his own Mama, Linda, and his wife, Kelsey.
They discuss the Buddhist perspective on Motherhood, the meditation practice of Tonglen (which traditionally starts with a Mother figure), and Kelsey shares how she likes to spend Mother's Day, while Linda shares stories of Mother's Day with Waylon when he was growing up.
“I love you, mom—and Happy Mother's Day. I appreciate that you gave me a love for nature and a love for politics—not being nasty, but caring about our environment, and decency, and honesty. And just caring.
Anyone who has been unconditionally kind to your life, Mother's Day is for them, and hopefully that was your mom.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon discusses and questions the very real exhaustion that comes with moving. He asked friends for advice on why that is and he's here with their answers, and a few of his own.
"It's a letting go process, I guess you could say. It's a spiritual thing. But I think for me it is an exhaustion similar to like when you're in a museum—like in Paris, or Boston, or wherever—and you're looking at an exhibition. By the end of a couple hours on your feet, your brain is exhausted because it's focusing in and coming out, focusing in, coming out." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon discusses the idea of "stuff" as he goes through the process of moving out of the home he's lived in for 18+ years. A close friend shared that it wasn't Waylon's "life in that box" when Waylon shared a video of his Pod being taken away. Rather, his friend replied that it was "just stuff."
"I replied that I half agree. Things are things, and yeah, if a fire consumes my house, I'm gonna run out with my wife and my dog and myself, and count myself lucky—right? Ultimately, our health and our corporeal bodies and minds and hearts are far more important than some cool lamp. At the same time, I disagree..." ~ Waylon Lewis
Cheap goods devalue "things." “Stuff” and "crap" is demeaning, cheap, it’s what you buy on Amazon. We're not defending crap, but things that we genuinely appreciate. We give things meaning through use and care and love, and we select things through training or searching for yun.
“When we own craft items, these objects in the Buddhist term give Yun—inherent richness—which contributes to a meaningful home and a meaningful life.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon discusses what we can do when we’re overwhelmed with overwhelm. He also offers a reminder of where Dharma (or expertise) comes from.
(Hint: it’s not our ego)
“We all get overwhelmed. We get overwhelmed by the news. We get overwhelmed by relationships. We get overwhelmed by stress around food, or money, or how we look, whether we’re popular or not, depending on what age we are, and what’s going on. Overwhelm is really just a lack of oxygen.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon offers a message to those in the United States: What to do now that he’s Tariffed you.
"This isn't about hoarding, but this is about having a mindful, smart reaction. If you don't have to spend money preparing, save your money and hopefully we can get through this together. Panicking doesn't help but preparing in community does. Big love." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon asks the question: what is the Buddhist practice of Right Speech when it comes to hate and greed and lies?
“From a Buddhist point of view, we need to be honest. We must not be harmful in our speech, but we need to be able to be frank. In fact, the Buddhist notion of idiot compassion would lead us to (hopefully) remember that allowing hate or lies or prejudice or violent speech to go unanswered in any way is actually harmful." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon shares a message that isn't exciting, or riveting, or hateful...but is hopefully mature, and reasonable, and helpful:
"I am scared that a lot of the social media [platforms] are one decision—by an already corrupt, greedy billionaire—away from shutting down our means of communication. So I think we gotta invest in community. We gotta invest in resistance. We have to invest in connecting in ways that aren't just on social." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon offers a message directly to those who identify with MAHA, aka, Make America Healthy Again, a political platform and slogan used by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is now in charge of the health of Americans under Trump:
" I have a special anger and resentment toward MAHA. And that anger and resentment isn't the neurotic kind of anger and resentment that I, as a Buddhist, want to breathe through and let go of. It is one that I want to share openly and vulnerably." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Mindfulness, meditation, compassion…
The things Elephant focuses on…
These are not separate from caring about politics, policy, public service. If we keep coming from a place of caring, of basic goodness, the boulder we are rolling up the hill will begin to roll down the next hill. We can do this together. Things can get easier. Keep caring.
“Compassion fatigue arises when there's confusion and ego mixed up in [our caring]. Ego doesn't mean that we're bad people. We all have ego. We all get caught up. But if we can truly come from a simple place of caring, that's considered to be an in inexhaustible resource, because it's natural to who we are and to this world.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
This week on our longrunning, ongoing “Walk the Talk Show” podcast and video series:
"Groundlessness is something Buddhism talks about a lot. And you think, well, groundlessness, that sounds pretty bad. We always want ground beneath our feet.
We want to be able to ground into Mother Earth, connect with the heavens above, connect with our hearts, our shoulders, connect with society. That's actually a meditation practice in the Buddhist tradition.
But groundlessness is something that all of us go through. When we're having a hard time, when we're lonely, when we're feeling rejected, feeling confused, feeling lost...we tend to want to close down or blame other...or blame self, which can lead to depression. We want to find the ground..." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon gives practical Buddhist life advice for when you're feeling defeated, depressed, or blue.
“The advice from a mindful point of view is obvious, but when we're in that state of mind what's obvious is forgotten: so get in nature, look up and out—force yourself to breathe—meaning going for a walk, biking, anything where you have to [intentionally] breathe because breathing helps us process. Desperately try to avoid negative habitual patterns.” ~ Waylon H. Lewis
For more:
- Habitual Patterns: https://youtu.be/tt4evvgKxMk
- Meditation: https://youtu.be/qzGZcxG4jvw?si=pN9LF5mkdZ4nGAk4
- More Meditation: https://youtube.com/shorts/U9wKCVgSblY?si=yZpt8TYU5VzqWgp1
Waylon and his wife, Kelsey, have a frank conversation about love and dust bunnies with one of our favorite guests: mindful feng shui expert Anjie Cho. They discuss how we can use mindfulness, Buddhism, and feng shui to awaken our love lives this Valentine’s Day.
Anjie came with the goods—not only does she have specific advice for Waylon and Kelsey, she offers several tips for singles looking to attract a partner into their lives, and those already in a relationship.
Waylon will support President Trump tomorrow, if...
"I always say, I have nothing against Trump—for as much as I despise him and think he's doing awful things in the world, if tomorrow he woke up and was 'buttercups and dancing through meadows' and 'let's be kind to people, and humans and animals and the planet all matter'—that would be great. I would support him tomorrow." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon's thoughts on the historical day that is January 20th, 2025.
"The fact that all of this is happening on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is both painful and telling. We have so far to go as a country..." ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Tomorrow, it’s Trump. Today, it’s Biden. If you’re feeling shook, that’s normal: here’s what we can do and not do for others and ourselves. ~ Waylon H. Lewis
Waylon catches up with one of our favorite guests: mindful feng shui expert Anjie Cho. They discuss methods to welcome the new energy into our homes and lives for 2025 this Lunar, or Eastern New Year.
“On the second new moon after the winter solstice, millions around the world celebrate a holiday known as the Lunar New Year. This year, the momentous occasion falls on January 29th when we say goodbye to the fierce Dragon and usher in the energy of the Yin Wood Snake. The Lunar New Year symbolizes transitions, fresh, new beginnings, and reminds us that even within the coldest, darkest depths of winter, there is the promise of spring.” ~ Anjie Cho
Read Anjie’s article on Elephant Journal and find your personal, mindful aspiration to contemplate in this Year of the Yin Wood Snake based on your zodiac animal.
Find Anjie's podcast: https://www.holisticspaces.com
Waylon shares a message with our dear Elephant community about the devastating fires ravaging California right now...and what it means for us. We have to do more than think about taking action. We have to actually do it.
“I don't want to completely denigrate good feelings, or love, or caring, but it's just as meaningless as when folks offer thoughts and prayers around gun control. It doesn't change the unfolding reality that is hurting so many people.
It was popular on Instagram, TikTok, et cetera, a year or two ago to say that our [personal, eco] changes don't matter. That [environmental damage is] all about rich people—billionaires—and there's a lot of truth to that.
But at the same time, we, unlike some of these oligarchs and billionaires, hopefully care. We have to drive this change. We, en masse, are far more powerful than any one billionaire or oligarch.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon welcomes the new year with a message to the Elephant community...and a little honesty for us all to take to heart.
He asks: what can you do this year to serve our planet, be kind to yourself, and care about others?
“Whatever you can do in this new year is going to be vital. And that includes taking care of yourself.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Jews have Hanukkah. Christians, Xmas. African-Americans, Kwanzaa. Buddhists? Children's Day. Waylon speaks about the Buddhist holiday of Children's Day ahead of the celebrations on December 21, 2024.
Waylon talks about the importance of embracing and appreciating the seasonality and cold weather as we push back against the effects of climate change.
“The cycle of seasons is natural and something to appreciate, not take for granted. This is just a reminder that nice weather can be snowy weather!” ~ Waylon Lewis
Read more on Elephant Journal on the topic:
- Folks love to say “it’s bad weather” when it’s cold, or “it’s nice out” when it’s 60 in December in Colorado. - https://elejrnl.com?p=3268075
- Frank. 95 years old. Shoveling 200 feet of snow, a big old smile on his face, eyes clear as day, memory sharp. - https://elejrnl.com?p=3642046
- For all my friends who hate Christmas and/or Winter. - https://elejrnl.com?p=1168269
Waylon talks about living in fear, and why he's making an effort as a journalist to speak to our mindful audience about the facts as they come to light during the Trump presidential transition and beyond.
"Don't live in fear, but do be aware and do advocate for the world you want to live in." ~ Waylon Lewis
Shop local and small! Give nothing?! What it means to give goodness.
Read the articles mentioned in the video:
- https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/12/elephantjournal-coms-long-awaited-top-10-must-have-green-things-to-buy-for-christmas-list/
- https://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/12/how-to-be-rich/
MAGA/Trump-voting family + Thanksgiving, what’s your approach?
Politics aren’t something we can—or should—put in a private drawer and forget about or overlook.
Read the article on Elephant Journal: https://elejrnl.com?p=4103058
Waylon Lewis lists his favorite books to get the beginner Buddhist, or anyone, started. Bonus: Waylon leads a meditation at the end.
The notion of moreover: we can live life—relationships, work, neuroses—from the point of view of lost in it, lost in all the details, that feeling of overwhelm and chaos (we all know that feeling of busyness and inefficiency) or we can live it above the clouds, with clarity, moreover.
How to get moreover all of it.
Waylon demonstrates how to use natural hierarchy to uplift your life without being uptight.
Many of us have an expectation that spirituality should be pleasant, pretty, affirming. It can be. But it can also be tough, scary, uncomfortable.
What it is, most fundamentally, is natural. In harmony with Nature, we learn to abide by its laws.
Read the article on Elephant Journal: https://elejrnl.com?p=910955
Waylon shares his favorite poem with the Elephant Journal community. Poems can be helpful to us in a spiritual, heartfelt way. But there are also practical, life-helpful poems. And the poem he's sharing today is a practical poem for everyday life, that has been especially helpful for Waylon and his family in recent days.
"This poem is a roadmap for a lot of life's challenges in a way that very few are." ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon talks with Janette Spiezio of Sustainable Haus, a zero-waste store in Summit, New Jersey. Check out her helpful articles on Elephant!
"The most inspiring woman you’ll want to learn from today!" ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon talks with Janette about:
Keys to successful entrepreneurship and why so many zero-waste shops close
How to actually change society: bottom-up creating more top-down change
Anti-plastic vs. non-toxic
Perfection vs. effort
The power of word of mouth
Waylon (dumb) vs Dr. John Douillard (expert) talk health! The Ideal Summer Diet According to Ayurveda with Waylon Lewis & Dr. John Douillard.
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We don't have to worship Biden to vote for him...because when we vote for him, we're voting for us and we're voting for democracy, and this is our last chance. If that sounds like partisan hyperbole, you're not listening to Trump and his acolyte's own words. And after that debate—lying on one side, goodness and aged exhaustion on the other...I feel a sense of care and sadness for this American experiment: that is, freedom, and democracy.
While I said the below before the many and growing calls for his retirement to make space for a new group of candidates, the ethics or values herein apply 100%:
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis presents: Our natural and healthy tendency to become distracted by the daily vicissitudes of life and, is, on the flip side, the result of not treating what is urgent as urgent because we are...distracted.
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Selflessness is a path, not a state of perfection. If, along the way, we practice thinking of others, first, we might find our ego's self-concern dissolve.
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Inside this classic Walk the Talk Show conversation, Waylon starts by leading us with a simple meditation and then discusses how to slow down, be present, and mindfully enjoy what’s left of summer.
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Why July 4th is more than a party.
Thoughtful Dissent & Non-violent Activism is Patriotism: Happy July 4th!
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Waylon shares his views after the June 27th Presidential debate with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. He also addresses the common comments he, and Elephant Journal, field after sharing political articles and social media posts and why we do what we do.
Hint: it’s because we care.
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Habitual patterns are so tough—we are stuck with them our whole lives. No matter how much discipline or willpower we exert, they come back. So start small: be gentle with yourself, meditate, relax with multi-tasking…and witness your whole life awaken like an unfolding flower.
Try this for one week and let me know how it goes.
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Waylon & Kelsey, sittin’ in a tree…have some big news.
In the latest episode of Elephant's long-running, award-winning podcast and video series Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis... Waylon and his beloved, Kelsey, share some big news. They talk through the Buddhist framework they used as they navigated this change to their life paths: outer, inner, and secret.
In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon shares a simple Buddhist practice that you can do anywhere, anytime.
" One of the most wonderful Buddhist instructions for how to become present and available, open, joyful, and genuine, in your life is as simple as this: any time of the day, particularly if you're having a hard time, if you're feeling speedy, if you're feeling exhausted, look out your window. Go outside if you can. Then..." ~ Waylon Lewis
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Waylon chats with Ellie Laks of the beloved animal sanctuaries known as The Gentle Barn, this time about her new book: “Cow Hug Therapy.”
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Waylon speaks about the role of journalism as the pursuit of truth, the trap of "fake news," and how we can all develop our antenna for bullsh*t (including our own) if we pause to examine our sources of "facts."
"Journalism is simply the search for truth, which makes it similar to science. If you're interested in journalism—whether you're liberal or conservative—you're interested in facts, and you're open to changing your mind and opening your mind, and being proven wrong." ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon talks about one thing we can do—every day—to transform our lives for the better.
"The notion of duty, which we talk a lot about in the military realm or public service, or say in my Buddhist upbringing...it's a very un-American word from the point of view of 'we Americans cherish our freedom or independence.' The way we generally think of it in America or write about it is: my freedom is separate from yours. So it's a sort of independent freedom, not interdependent, not co-dependent, not cooperative. It's all about 'me' and 'my freedom.' That's an interesting notion when you think about the notion of duty. It would seem to be a contradiction.
So, what is our duty as human beings?
I introduced this as the one daily reminder that if you do it every day, it'll transform your entire life. I don't think that's an exaggeration. In the Buddhist teachings, they talk about vision or view, or Christians may think of it as mission.
What is our mission in life?" ~ Waylon Lewis
Learn more about Elephant Academy's Meditation course: https://bit.ly/meditation_for_crazy_busy_people
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Waylon meets his all-time favorite Elephant Journal writer, Lynn Shattuck, for the first time. They talk about writing, finding your voice as a writer, how to write about your life in a cathartic, genuine, way and Lynn's thread through much of her writing: the loss of a beloved sibling.
"I was really fortunate. [Elephant] felt like a safe home for my writing. I felt welcomed from the beginning by the editors, and it was a cozy connection." ~ Lynn Shattuck
Read Lynn's writing on Elephant Journal: https://www.elephantjournal.com/profile/lynn-shattuck/
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Waylon talks about how, as human being and as a writer, we can uncover our voices. Hint: it’s not as impossible as it feels.
“Ironically, simply getting present with yourself and out of your own thoughts will enable you to find the words that are genuine and helpful to others.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Learn more about Elephant Academy's Find your Voice course: https://bit.ly/FindYourVoiceFall2024
Subscribe to get our full conversations weekly: https://elephantjournal.com/videos
Waylon shares a little (big) way we can thank mothers and all good parents everywhere:
“I want to do a video in honor of Mother’s Day and of wonderful parents everywhere, including fathers. But particularly single parents, and particularly single mothers, and particularly my mom, who is a single mom. One of the gifts of society—or lack or lack of gift—can be supporting single parents..” ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon talks politics.
"Stop covering politics," some of our dear readers cry every time we post something relephant. Look: politics are life. Equal rights, empathy, fair economy, healthcare. We can't ignore what's happening, and you shouldn't either. ~ Waylon
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Waylon shares with readers one simple, quick reminder about the act of being vulnerable.
“Vulnerability is not weakness. It’s true strength—if it’s genuine, not mere emotionalism. ~ Waylon Lewis
Read more about emotionalism: Emotionalism Isn’t Cool.
Curious about Elephant Academy and what we teach? What we offer is hard to explain in a handful of words without them turning into word soup, but it’s got a little something for everyone out there on the path of discovering their passion, finding their voice, and, yes, embracing their vulnerability. Find out more here.
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Waylon encourages us to honor Earth Day every day, not just one day a year. Giving a care for our one and only planet is not about being perfect, or being a goody-two-shoes, but about living a mindful life and ensuring future generations can as well.
"Ultimately, like any kind of love, any kind of open heart, caring is ultimately our only conduit or connection to a meaningful life—even if sometimes caring means we're sad. Let's try to actually honor Earth Day and actually honor equity and actually honor and address our climate crisis in a meaningful way." ~ Waylon Lewis
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Waylon talks with long-time friend Sue Van Raes about mindful eating, staying in the present moment, traveling, our personal food stories, and just eating the nachos. Her new book, “Food and Freedom,” is out now! "We can look back at our lives, look back at our stories...and we all have our food story. But we also have many other stories that play into how we relate to food. So we can look back and investigate... ...and then just eat the nachos! Recognizing what's happening in the moment, right? Just simple recognition. What's so important to consider is that if we decide to eat nachos...eat nachos. Just fully be there with them. Enjoy the nachos. What happens so much is that we might go and do that thing that's a little bit indulgent or feels really pleasure-based, but then because we're checked out, we're not even enjoying it." ~ Sue Van Raes Subscribe to get our full conversations weekly.
Waylon discusses how to approach a difficult situation and gives examples from his own life, hoping that they'll connect with you and your life and that this here little podcast can be of some small benefit to your dear heart.
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In the latest episode of Elephant's long-running, award-winning podcast and video series Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon meets Dain Heer. They speak about (toxic, unhealthy, unkind and genuine, grounded, grownup) masculinity, unrealistic expectations, parenting—about what it means to be a man in today's society.
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon asks our Elephant Journal community to pick a page in his book “It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with your Life.” A reader picked Chapter 10, and Waylon does an impromptu reading.
“If you fill every moment of your day, your brain will burn out. If you allow gaps, your heart will flourish..” ~ Waylon Lewis, Chapter 10: “It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with your Life.”
Get Waylon's two books. They make great eco gifts and mindful, hopefully-life-changing reads.
“This is the first generation where we actually know we’re destroying the future for all future generations.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon talks about what, environmentally, he wishes he had understood more clearly 10 – 20 years ago.
Plastic sucks: “Yet 95% of my own dear friends still waste single-use and fast-fashion plastic every single day.”
Caring is difficult…because we risk feeling sad or even despondent…but when we lean into caring it leads to joy, love, empathy, activism, and positive change.
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Waylon asks our Elephant Journal community to pick a page in his book "It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with your Life." A reader picked Chapter 18, and Waylon does an impromptu reading.
"Tonglen, the Buddhist meditation practice of 'sending and taking,' gives us a way to work with our (or others’) anger, suffering, stress, or heartbreak. Simple yet counter-intuitive, this meditation reverses the flow of ego, easing our silly crazy mopey neurosis and engendering compassion." ~ Waylon Lewis, Chapter 18: "It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with your Life."
Get Waylon's two books. They make great eco gifts and mindful, hopefully-life-changing reads.
Waylon addresses comments Readers have made about Elephant’s coverage of the Israel-Palestine war crimes with three points.
“I am not the voice of Elephant. I am the steward of Elephant and you can write on Elephant anytime. Why is that important? Because there are so many people who know so much more than me. Do we need to hear from me or from Elephant Journal about Palestine? No.
The world is not crying for Elephant’s voice on Palestine.
But we do need to hear from you, and we are a community here to platform you, with respectful dialogue.” ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon asks questions of our Elephant Journal community.
"Hey friends, this is Waylon. I am the founder of Elephant. Normally I'll talk about something mindful, something in the world, something helpful that's of good value to you and your heart and in your daily life. But today I want to try something a little different. I want to touch in with you about Elephant." ~ Waylon Lewis
How long have you read Elephant?
What's your favorite thing about Elephant?
What would you like to see that you're not getting?
Do you listen to Walk the Talk Show?
Do you know that you can write on Elephant?
Do you subscribe?
Do you have the iPhone app?
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In the latest episode of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon features Julie and Samantha from Cats Aren’t Trophies Colorado. Learn more about CATs and their ballot initiative on their website, here.
Editor’s Note: Lotttts of good comments and discussion. A few mean weak ones, but mostly great dialogues between folks who may not agree, and mutual learning. Thank you all! ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon talks about Elephant Journal and explains what the heck we're doing here, and why.
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In the latest episode of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon features his special friend, whom he's been writing about for several months—Kelsey—and they tell their relationship story that brings, hopefully, real hope.
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon goes on the defensive...for good “clickbait”…as opposed to lying, fooling, toxic clickbait.
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Waylon features fellow Boulderite and high school senior Anya Hoth about how we can all live an “ecofolks” lifestyle. They talk over living zero waste, eco transportation, how environmentalism is related to our health, if voting matters, and how parents can inspire their children to give a care.
Waylon: “I don’t want to sound like old people everywhere, but how old are you..?”
Anya: “I’m 18! I would like to talk about the potency of changing our actions to help the climate in this dire and gloomy doomy time.”
Waylon: “Yeah. Everyone’s kind of depressed. We don’t know what to do. We kind of hope the president or the king or the emperor of the universe takes care of stuff. And a lot of us do “eco” things like you and I in our own life, but we often hear that doing things is pointless and doesn’t matter.”
Anya: “Everyone working together really needs to happen. You need to think wide-scale and say, ‘Hey, it’s not just Boulder working on this problem. It’s all the counties in Denver, all the counties outside of Denver—Broomfield, Aurora—all over the state, and all over the country. The world. We need to start using each other’s ideas.'”
*This is a partial conversation. Only Walk the Talk Subscribers get access to full conversations, as you help us continue our work. Watch the rest, and full versions of all our latest videos/podcasts, by becoming a member.
In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon talks about virtue signaling—the notion that annoying people love to annoyingly talk, tweet, or otherwise show off their perfect little values—values they may not actually care about.
“It’s incumbent on all of us to grow up, examine our hearts—our capacity to care about one another. Nothing’s wimpy about that. Nothing’s stronger than caring. And nothing’s weaker than oppressing others, or being incapable or scared to feel compassion.” ~ Waylon Lewis
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In the latest episode of Elephant's long-running, award-winning podcast and video series Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon features Shelia, Sylvia, & Melissa Burlock, authors of My Divine Natural Hair, Inspiration & Tips to love & care for your Crown—about African-descent women’s hair, wearing it naturally, celebrating your God-given inherent beauty and learning both practical healthy tips and the history of black women’s hair. "We want Black woman to love our hair and the texture of our hair just as much as that wig or that extension, or to love how your hair grows out of your scalp just as much as you would love it when it's permed or straightened. We really want to encourage Black women and girls to start from that place of loving the way your hair grows out of your scalp, and then letting that dictate the different ways that you style your hair." ~ Melissa Burlock Read an excerpt from their book on Elephant Journal: My Divine Natural Hair. ~ Shelia, Sylvia, and Melissa Burlock *This is a partial conversation. Only Walk the Talk Subscribers get access to full conversations, as you help us continue our work. Watch the rest, and full versions of all our latest videos/podcasts, by becoming a member.
Waylon Lewis reads his book, "Things I Would Like to Do with You," and discusses the Buddhist Notion of Love at the Boulder Book Store in February of 2018. Like the book, the talk is timeless. In his live introduction, Waylon asks himself, “What kind of marriage vow could I possibly take to what kind of person and mean it?” Listen to Waylon read and discuss love and loneliness in modern-day society from a Buddhist point of view.
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How to write on Elephant...and possibly get paid if you rock it. We've had to remove the instant posting feature. If you wanna write on Elephant now, we're basically like an old-fashioned magazine again, only online:
- Thanks to Google (grrr), no more instant posting.
- We are not one voice, we’re a community.
- We have caring skilled editors on staff to help you get your article published.
- Sharing is on you unless it starts going well or we lovvvvve it—then we’ll feature it on our Facebook, Instagram, in our Newsletter, Threads, on our home page.
- elephantjournal.com/post to write your article.
- Get our free newsletter ...and whenever you read Elephant, you invest in your own mindful life, and help keep indie media alive and thriving.
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Waylon asks a question of the I Ching with the help of longtime Buddhist friend Catherine Pilfrey's easy, fun, and modern new card deck from Shambhala Publications.
Have you ever consulted with the I Ching? Learn how to use it to help you navigate change and questions in your life’s path.
"The I Ching is called The Book of Changes. So it's about how to understand change in our life and how to work with change in our life. And that change is constantly happening." ~ Catherine Pilfrey
*This is a partial conversation. Only Walk the Talk Subscribers get access to full conversations, as you help us continue our work. Watch the rest, and full versions of all our latest videos/podcasts, by becoming a member.
Waylon speaks with Emma Hakansson of Collective Fashion Justice, author of Total Ethics Fashion, who reminds us of the full meaning of Ecofashion, one of Elephant’s 12 areas of focus since we were a print magazine 22 years back..! “Total Ethics Fashion is a replacement for a lot of these other ideas about more responsible fashion that we’ve heard. There’s terms like ethical fashion, sustainable fashion, vegan, cruelty-free, slow—all of these words have been used to the point of meaninglessness. They’ve become greenwashing terms.” ~ Emma Hakansson Read the article on Elephant.
***This is a partial conversation. Only Walk the Talk Subscribers get access to full conversations, as you help us continue our work. Watch the rest, and full versions of all our latest videos/podcasts, by becoming a member.
In this week’s Mindful Monday video & podcast, Waylon talks about something we all naturally have.
“This is basic: Basic Goodness. You have it. Beneath all of our good and not so great qualities, there it is. Reconnect with it by simply appreciating your world.” ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this episode, we're sharing a classic, yet unreleased episode from a 2018 interview with Waylon Lewis and his mentor-from-afar Bo Burlingham, author of one of Waylon's two most-recommended books ever (the other is Pema Chodron, Buddhist author).
Bo Burlingham, journalist, business writer for Inc. of many years, is the author of Small Giants, which Waylon calls one of "his favorite Life-Helpful Mindful Books."
*Sadly, the audio is rough at moments in the recorded video, so we've only provided a clip of the audio as a podcast. For the full conversation in video (free!) with captions, find it on Elephant Journal.
In this week's Mindful Monday video and podcast, while traveling to visit Mama Lewis in Halifax, Waylon shares 4 mindful travel tips.
Bonus mindful traveling tip: I almost never get a phone plan, to get a needed break from using/checking phone, but of course can still use it when on wifi for calls, Google Maps, texting, social/work. ~ Waylon
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In this week’s Mindful Monday video and podcast, Waylon shares some friendly Buddhist advice: if you’re feeling blue and lonely, remember four things. For more, read the article Waylon references inside the video >> The Most Important Article on Elephant, Ever: Maitri. Want to explore Maitri a little more, free? >> Give your Sweet Self a Gift, from Us For the next few days, I’m offering $75 off the most important path I’ve ever been able to travel—Maitri: How to Fall in Love with your Sweet Self. ~ Waylon Lewis Join 21 Days with live meetings, community, inspiring study materials, meditation—a fundamental investment in yourself that will last a lifetime. Subscribe to get our full conversations weekly.
Rwandan Chef Vasta Muhimpundu of Iwacu Flavors talks with Waylon about vegan cooking tips.
“Cook with love. Do not rush cooking. Cooking is not meant to be rushed—and I think that’s something Americans do in general. No: take your time.” ~ Vasta Muhimpundu
Read the article on Elephant.
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In this week's Mindful Monday video and podcast, Waylon discusses something that many of us (ironically) talk a lot about, but perhaps don't act upon.
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Waylon catches up with one of our favorite Walk the Talk Show guests: mindful feng shui expert Anjie Cho. They get into mindful feng shui tips to welcome the new energy into our homes for 2024 this Lunar, or Eastern New Year.
Plus, Anjie expands on the meaning of the Dragon and the Wood element so we can better understand and prepare for the coming year.
"On February 10th, a lot of the world will celebrate Lunar New Year. It's also called the Spring Festival, and it's a celebration of the Spring. It's when we celebrate that transition, from the previous year to the new year.
We're currently in the Year of the Rabbit, so we're just saying goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and we're welcoming in the Year of the Dragon." ~ Anjie Cho
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Waylon offers his thoughts on the question weighing on the minds of many young-ish environmentally-conscious folks these days: should we have children in an age of climate crisis when the reality of our future looks incredibly unstable and uncertain?
"Should we have children in an age of climate crisis? My answer, from a Buddhist point of view, and from an environmental point of view, both, is: maybe. It's yes...if we can have children who will actively care." ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this episode of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon talks with Buddhist teacher and fellow “Dharma Brat” Chandra Easton about her new book, Embodying Tara via Shambhala Publications.
They also speak about feminism in Buddhism, auspicious coincidence, and bring some understanding re what’s up with “deities” in the non-theistic tradition of Buddhism.
Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom is on sale via Shambhala Publications through January 13th with coupon code ETARA30.
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Waylon offers a cheerful New Year’s message and reminder about "the only fundamentally important or worthwhile resolution."
"I rarely make resolutions, 'cause I don't think they really matter. But if we are going to make one, the only resolution that really matters is a fundamental one—to make friends with ourselves.
That's not to say that other resolutions can't be fun, worthwhile, and important—but let's make sure that we're making that fundamental one: to make friends with ourselves, in the new year." ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this episode of Walk the Talk Show, Waylon talks with Julia Cameron. Author of The Artist’s Way, Julia talks about guidance and how we can empower ourselves to seek it, and use it, in our daily lives.
She calls it the essential fourth tool of The Artist’s Way—though she hasn’t spoken much about it since the original book was published. She uses it in her daily life, and now we can as well.
“It’s a book about guidance, and about the fact that we all have access to a higher power and to wisdom. When I wrote ‘The Artist’s Way’, I introduced the tool of guidance. I said, it’s normal, it’s natural. You can do it. Please try it.
Then I let it go.
And I went for 30 years without mentioning guidance again, even though I was using it all the time.” ~ Julia Cameron
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For this week’s Mindful Monday video/podcast, Waylon talks about effective activism.
“My parents’ Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, would often note that activism is vital and important. So much of the good that has been accomplished in our societies, in our world, has come about through folks coming from empathy, and—through bravery—changing the status quo in our societies.
There’s a caveat, of course, which we see on social media all the time, which is we can’t create a kinder, better, more caring world through aggression, through self-righteousness, through prejudice, through seeing others as evil. While we can be clear about the faults of others or the faults of philosophies out there or prejudices out there, we have to first engage in maitri.” ~ Waylon Lewis
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In this episode of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, an award-winning video and podcast series hosted by Elephant Journal, Aaron Michael of Earth Love Gardens schools Elephant readers (and Waylon) on how you can love your yard (or windowsill) and our planet. He gives practical, fun tips for gently caring for our yards in an environmentally-responsible way, and reminds us of how we can participate in the healing of our planet, and ourselves, through small, simple choices.
"Being disconnected with our earth is behind so many of society's issues. That if we can find that reconnection again with Earth, within ourselves, and with each other—that's what society is missing." ~ Aaron Michael
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For this week’s Mindful Monday video/podcast, Waylon offers little mindful and eco tips for our planet and our health from inside his secondhand-renovated, eco-friendly shower and little bathroom.
“It’s not that the little things are gonna fix everything, but billions of us doing the little things, or at least not doing the bad things…micro can become macro—that’s how Capitalism works: supply and demand. ” ~ Waylon Lewis
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Shelby Kaminski educates Elephant readers about all things "dirt" and regenerative, from the perspective of her woman-owned entrepreneurial success, Edaphic Solutions.
"Building up the immune system of your yard and garden makes it so you don't have to use weed killer because weeds don't like healthy soil.
Weeds usually grow in places where there aren't a lot of plants. So if you're planting more plants, the weeds will be outcompeted and have nowhere to live and no food to eat. It's using the forces of nature to help nature." ~ Shelby Kaminski
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This Mindful Monday, Waylon discusses “Children’s Day” in the Buddhist tradition and the Winter Solstice—bout what they mean in our lives and how we can integrate them into our present traditions.
“With all the suffering, the aggression, the fear in the world right now—whether it’s in the Ukraine, Gaza, Israel…as well as a lot of the partisanship that we’re seeing in the US where we often can’t even discuss things peacefully or respectfully—I think it’s important to come back to peace.
And peace isn’t some anodyne, saccharine notion. It’s not a facile thing. It’s something we have to work for and care for and nurture.
And Winter Solstice is emblematic or symbolic of that. It’s the darkest time of the year.” ~ Waylon Lewis
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Rachelle Robinett of Pharmakon Supernatural schools Waylon Lewis (and all of us) on some herbalism basics: how to determine good quality products, what to look for when buying herbs, common kitchen medicines, and how to get started re: herbalism.
"I am hopeful that the future includes one in which Western medicine can be inclusive of herbalism, and vice versa that there's a better balance—because there are times where we need medication, we need surgery, we need the blunter instrument that Western medicine often is. And there's so much herbalism can do in preventative care that'll lessen the burden on the healthcare system." ~ Rachelle Robinett
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This Mindful Monday, Waylon opens discussion about what the most “eco,” yet fun Christmas tree option may be. He talks a bit about his new holiday tradition this year. Share what you do in your home in the comments!
“What is the most eco solution? And why this does matter?” ~ Waylon Lewis
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“The Smell of Money” is the documentary to watch this holiday season. It’ll change your life and the lives of countless others as you do so.
Waylon Lewis spoke with writer and producer Jamie Berger.
“The Smell of Money” is a feature-length documentary. It follows a community in North Carolina who are up against the world’s largest pork corporation, fighting for their rights for clean air, clean water, and just to be able to live free from the stench of animal manure.
In particular, it follows a woman named Elsie, the granddaughter of an enslaved man. She lives on property in Eastern North Carolina that has been in her family for generations, since the time of slavery.
She goes to school after she grows up there and then comes back to take care of her elderly mother. When she arrives back home, she realizes the farmer next door is spraying animal waste, manure, feces, and urine, onto her elderly mother’s home. This starts a journey where she becomes a renowned activist for environmental justice—the fight for equal access to a clean, safe environment, to be able to live on your land, to enjoy your property.
She galvanizes this movement in North Carolina that’s been going on for more than 30 years, now. The film follows her story and the story of other people like her and people who are fighting alongside her for justice.” ~ Jamie Berger
It’s available On Demand via Apple, Google, and YouTube, distributed by The Unreasnble. Learn more here.
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Inspired to keep indie media alive? We need mindful community more than ever: you can write on Elephant, and/or subscribe: elephantjournal.com/subscribe, this Holiday season.
"Every Monday, I offer a mindful reminder for our everyday life." ~ Waylon Lewis
We are an independent community-based journalistic outfit. We publish journalism. We also publish personal stories, if you'd like to contribute. You can do that. You can write an article and put it up immediately, for free. Listen to learn more.
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Many years ago, Waylon came across a uniquely simple, yun-ful watch display in an outdoor mall in LA. One was black, one white, both with wooden cases. He fell in love not only with the simple elegance, but the values—these are just about the only watches entirely Made in the USA, these days. Waylon bought a Weiss watch a year later, an early “adult” purchase. Recently, Waylon and Cameron Weiss, founder of Weiss Watch Company, speak about the sustainability of mechanical watches, how they can keep us in the present moment, and considerate about how we use our time; how a watch is often an heirloom item, and what that means. “A watch, like any thing, can be ethically-crafted & sourced, an heirloom to pass on to a loved one. Few are. Weiss is.” ~ Waylon Lewis We discuss ethical, eco, made-in-the-USA craft, which in many ways is a dying thing.
Subscribers get the full conversation.
Only get
- what you need,
- and love,
- that has meaning,
- is sourced responsibly without slave labor,
- …and that will last.
All future generations depend on us giving a care.
Subscribers get the full conversation.
Waylon speaks with Andy Karr, author of Into the Mirror, his new book on Buddhism and our everyday life.
"There's a dominant narrative in society...that it's all about stuff. Either stuff to accumulate, knowledge as stuff—whatever you think is the cause of happiness. And what happens is that not all of these things are bad, but that the ignorance of what's happening in your mind when you crave these things is binding you, and deceiving you. You have this thought or this projection or this vision of the thing itself—and we spend all our time chasing after these reflections, or running away from reflections if they're fearful. And if we're caught up in this the reflections are never going to be satisfactory, on the simplest level." ~ Andy Karr
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The virtues of antiques & craft & local community shopping as we head into the Holidays.
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Read more about this from Waylon, here: Fck Minimalism. Fck Modern. Give me Joyously Cluttered, Antique, Upcycled, Repurposed.
“If everyone shopped eco and local for the holidays, those gifts last. The love that you put in those gifts to your loved ones becomes a lasting reminder.” ~ Waylon Lewis
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Bravery isn’t something to just talk about. Mindful Monday Talks, with Waylon Lewis. “Every Monday, I offer a mindful reminder for our everyday life.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Healing? It’ll take being willing to be brave and vulnerable, both—not just cocoon/self-care or arrogant fake positivity.
The Buddhist reminder is that healing isn’t just about hiding. Healing and hiding can be a helpful stage. We shouldn’t have shame around that. But ultimately healing is about opening up and being vulnerable and going out. It can be about both.
So, today, I’m going to try to extricate myself from my comfortable little cocoon here at my cozy house and…actually go out. ~ Waylon Lewis
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Waylon w/Ruth Leah Schwartz on Conscious Relationships. {Part 2}
In Part One, Waylon and Ruth spoke about about (lesbian and other) relationships, communication, U-hauls and island living. Give it a listen before diving into Part Two.
Here, in Part Two, Ruth is back and they talk sex, sexuality, communication and…can we actually grow up and change or are our brains stuck, solid? Neuroplasticity is a big, fancy word that Ruth explains to Waylon.
"Deep emotional change is hard. We are creatures of habit, and our neural pathways are set up to make things simpler in this complex world. And so, of course, if there's well worn grooves, we're going to follow them over and over and over.
And...if there weren't learning possible, none of us would be here. We have brains that are capable of incredible learning. We see examples of that every day." ~ Ruth Leah Schwartz
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I lost…& why that’s Okay.
People all over town, wherever I go, want to have the same conversation. How are you? What happened? Why? Subscribe to get our full conversations weekly.
Waylon w/Ruth Leah Schwartz on Conscious Relationships. {Part 1}
Let’s talk about (lesbian and other) relationships, communication, U-hauls and island living with Waylon Lewis and Ruth Leah Schwartz.
She’ll be back soon for part two and we’ll talk sex, and…can we actually grow up and change or are our brains stuck, solid?
"I'm biased, but I believe lesbians can have the best relationships on the planet because we can go so deep. We can bond so deeply, have so much emotional intimacy. And I think lesbian relationships require more skill for those exact reasons." ~ Ruth Leah Schwartz Subscribers get the full conversation.
Rough workload? Overwhelm? Busyness, conflict? Try a little tenderness. "You're going to hear a lot of trite advice. And that's because cliches are often have some truth to them. Taking a deep breath is vital. Being kind to yourself, but also being honest with yourself is vital. Overall, I just wanted to give what I think is one little secret little ingredient: try a little tenderness." ~ Waylon Lewis Remember, only subscribers get the full conversation.
Waylon Lewis is (again) with Elephant pal Gene Baur as they talk about veganism, loveable farm animals, and the inspiring, saving-the-world work Farm Sanctuary is doing. A fun, easy conversation about tough, passionate matters between two mindful, passionate gents.
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Waylon H. Lewis reads Chapter 16 from "Things I would like to do with You" in honor of the newly released fifth edition of his best-selling first book. It's red, again, and even more eco!
"I would like to know if you notice the breeze that comes through the window, or if you would like to sleep with the curtains open and blinds up or if you like to wear my pajamas (for wearing flannel pajamas two sizes too big is the right size), or if you teach or garden or need to work on the other end of our globe for a year.
I would like you to know that when I work too long, I work for the world, and the world is the inheritance of our children— and our children, whether one or two or three or four or five or more of them, whether popular or bookish, or both…are your first love." ~ Waylon H. Lewis, "Things I would like to do with You"
Shop the book in our Elephant Eco Shop.
Calling for a Cultural Shift:
Waylon Lewis (and you!) gets to learn from Jeanine Canty as they speak about her new book Returning the Self to Nature. Read an excerpt of it here: From Individual to Collective Narcissism: a Cultural Shift.
“The world of the narcissist is not a kind space. Very few people enjoy being around someone who is self-centered, arrogant, volatile, and insincere—probably not even the narcissist.” ~ Jeanine Canty
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As some of you know...I'm an author of two books. And I teach writing classes in our online writing school, which is called Elephant Academy. And I'm running for local political office. And I'm social, and I'm raising a puppy. I'm crazy busy right now.
But—every November is NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month...and Elephant Academy offers a mindful consultation throughout the month with workshops, community, and social media posts.
Why? Because the point of writing is not just to publish a book and be famous and pose in your tweed jacket with elbow patches on the back of your Great American Novel, and be revered by fans everywhere.
No. The point of writing is to be genuine.
Join the event on Oct. 27th, 2023.
Waylon Lewis talks with longtime friend David McLaughlin about eco entrepreneurship. David is one of the mindful entrepreneurs behind organic CBD soda company Säti Soda, which supports Conscious Alliance / 1% for the Planet. Learn more about Sati, the benefits of CBD, the challenges of starting an eco company—and how you can invest in their grassroots WeFunder campaign.
"Säti is short for Sativa. Säti means mindfulness in Buddhism. So how do we be the most mindful about what we're doing? How do we treat people? How's our customer service? All of it. We've learned a lot." ~ David McLaughlin
My colleague Molly suggested that because I'm a Buddhist boy and I'm running for a local city council race, that I talk a bit about how I deal with mean people, trolls, or personal attacks...from a Buddhist point of view.
What is the Buddhist advice on that? That's something I'm asking myself all the time.
How does Buddhism advise mindfully handling ad hominem (meaning personal, often anonymous or unfair) attacks?
Remember, only subscribers get the full conversation.
Waylon learns with author, teacher, and Feng Shui expert Anjie Cho in part two of their Walk the Talk conversation—a live walkthrough of Waylon's eco Victorian home! As he expressed in part one, "This stuff inspires me!"
During the live consult she offered advice on clutter, work, relationships, financial stability, and service. Anjie doesn't offer one-on-one consultations outside of her school, Mindful Design Feng Shui School, so this was a special consultation with Waylon and Elephant as a part of our two-part series.
"While a book can give you a general overview and cover a lot of aspects, it may not be specialized for your particular situation. Just like we could read something on WebMD about something growing on our elbow..!" ~ Anjie Cho
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“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein Let us rest in fierce, active love and compassion. Read more from Waylon Lewis on Elephant Journal on this topic, here.
Or, write your own thoughts, reflections, and wisdoms on the topic and share with Elephant's International community at elephantjournal.com/post.
A story.
I just had a kind of intense experience and thought I would, as I am wont to do, being Buddhist, use that as grist for the mill. Everything that happens in our lives is teaching us, or available to teach us, if we only regard it openly and with some curiosity, some sense of accountability, but also some sense of clarity.
We don't have to create drama; we don't have to be mean to people, even if we disagree.
At this point, being rude to each other is kind of common.
I think we can all give each other a chance and treat each other like fellow human beings. The basic Buddhist lesson is if someone's rude to you, try to have some empathy for where they're coming from, but also stay grounded in your kindness. Don't give the rudeness back. We don't need to suffer fools gladly—but we can offer others the respect and kindness they deserve as a human being—if only once.
Waylon talks with Stefanie Stevens, founder of Life, Veganized, about transitioning to veganism—and why we might want to make that transition. Listen as they cover veganism 101, the reason to be vegan not just vegetarian, making a living as a vegan influencer, and some talk about great vegan brands to try.
"Going vegan can be intimidating. But it's a wall of fire—step through & it fast becomes easy, healthy, yummy—& full of love." ~ Waylon Lewis
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From the Buddhist tradition, or the mindful traditions, or the yoga tradition, or however-your-parents-wanted-you-to-behave-at-the-dining-table tradition, we can approach our food—which is a huge part of our life and part of our health—more mindfully.
So here's six little mindful eating tips. You can create an anagram to remember them.
Instead of multitasking when you eat, which is really fun and tempting, we can be fully present with our food. That doesn't mean you can't talk with a friend at a dining table or in a restaurant. Doesn't even mean you can't watch a movie. The idea is that when you're eating, you're going through these six steps.
This isn't about being "perfectly mindful." Even if you're distracted—watching a movie, eating popcorn, at a restaurant, at home eating ice cream—you can always practice these six steps.
You can take them wherever you go and they're free and they're powerful and they actually work for me, the world's least mindful eater.
R - Relax G - Gratitude A - Appreciate S - Smell C - Chew * - Pause
Curious about Waylon's partnership with Kripalu? Check it out here.
"My favorite writers aren't up in the proverbial ivory tower, smoking a pipe full of self-congratulation, writing fancy prose that's so dense & enigmatic you don't know what the hell they're saying. My favorite writers write. Hit us in the gut, break our hearts, expand our minds. Fancy words are great if they fit. Simple words are great if they hit. I want to read. I want the title to pull me in, the story to sweep me off my feet, the ending to send my entire life in a new direction. Mark Radcliffe is one such writer." ~ Waylon Lewis Waylon talks with the prolific Elephant Journal (etc.) author about how to be a writer—successfully—in 2023. They discuss Mark’s process of writing and editing his soon-to-be book, The Wheels that Carried Us. Listen as these two authors dig into writing, editing, and the art of a (really) good title. Mark’s philosophy is to find the small kernels in our life that inspire the bigger stories: “If you can find something that almost doesn’t feel like work at first, you’re probably on the right path. It should be something that feels like, ‘I could talk about this forever.’ That means you’re the right person to write it.” ~ Mark Radcliffe Subscribers get the full conversation.
There’s a million YouTube videos about how to meditate, and apps, and gurus running around, and a lot of that stuff is great. I wanted to offer something that isn’t great: awful meditation for super-harried, overwhelmed, ordinary people like you and me.
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty ordinary. I’m trying to get through the day, and making a mess of things half the time. It’s a good life, but something’s always going sideways.
Maybe you’re not as ordinary as me, maybe you’ve got your s**t together. But maybe you, too, are just trying to get through today, trying to live a meaningful life, trying to be slightly sane and grounded and clear-seeing.
From a Buddhist point of view, the important thing is to practice grounding ourselves in peacefulness before we jump into the surf of everyday life.
It’s like we’re below the ocean. Everything’s calm, moving around a little. Then we come up to the crashing waves. We want to be prepared for that moment.
The idea is basically that when we first wake up, no matter what’s happening, we can do 45 seconds of sitting meditation. We can do two minutes of meditation. It can be awful meditation, without flashes of insight or lightning bolts of enlightenment…but it’ll change your whole, ordinary day.
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Waylon talks with the wonderful Iye Bako about vegan love, recipes, clothes, policy, and equity and justice on a planet on fire. They explore veganism as a social justice movement and discuss how it is not simply a "diet," while exploring the interconnectivity that veganism can have with our health, our environment, and all beings on this planet. Iye's philosophy is to lead by example: "I'm not the kind of person to bring [veganism] up when it's not asked of me, but I will treat [people] to vegan food to give them an experience of how good it can be. I just made a banana bread yesterday and my mom tried it. She was like, this is phenomenal! So I want people to know that plant-based food is just as delicious as what they remember. And you're not going to miss anything." ~ Iye Bako Subscribers get the full conversation.
"Every Monday, I offer a mindful reminder for our everyday life." ~ Waylon Lewis
This week, Waylon talks about the age-old introvert and extrovert "myth." He's addressed this in the past on Walk the Talk Show (give it a listen!).
But this time he's got six ways to deal with lots and lots and lots and lots of stress. Subscribers get the full conversation.
Waylon talks with author Melanie Sue Hicks about trauma, travel as service, and how one helped her heal the other. She discusses it fully her in her book, Incongruent: Travel, Trauma, Transformation.
Melanie is a longtime supporter of Elephant. Read an excerpt of Incongruent here, on Elephant Journal.
Waylon: “So, you’re telling the story of the travel, but how does trauma figure into that?”
Melanie: “Each stop, each village along the track, harkens back to some sort of life story of mine. Some of them were traumatic, and it was a way to heal from trauma—travel experiences and what life lessons they taught me. I’ve been traveling and doing service work for 20 years, maybe more like 30. So I had all these amazing stories to choose from, and I chose the ones that seem to naturally fall in line with something from the village or trek.”
Subscribers get the full conversation.
Waylon Lewis reflects back on 9/11: How to deal with Loss, & Aggression creates Aggression.
*Please note: this is an Elephant Classic video from 2014, reshared because of its continued relevance and timeliness.
This week Waylon talks with his longtime pal from afar Kevin of Conway Electric, a quality, made in USA, eco-minded company doing the right thing the hard way—making gorgeous products that contribute to our daily lives…for a lifetime. Together, they talk about walking the walk and not just talking the talk.
"There are faster ways to do things. There are cheaper ways to do things. But we try to take those things and integrate modern values of sustainability." ~ Kevin Faul
Check ‘em out and support Conway, I know I do and will again!
Kevin Faul, of Conway Electric, is the founder of three companies all of which incorporate sustainable practices and lean supply chain management. Conway Electric has been committed to US manufacturing, sustainability, and a supply chain minimizing the use of plastic and carbon emissions.
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
This week, Waylon talks about how to save the world—which is the subject of every comic book, James Bond movie, all that good stuff—but in a peaceful way without having to shoot people, or cause mayhem.
Can we save the world…and have a good time doing so? Yes.
This week, Waylon Lewis is with author Dougald Hine of At Work in the Ruins: Finding Our Place in the Time of Science, Climate Change, Pandemics, and All the Other Emergencies, as they talk about climate change and how the hell to think and act about it.
Dougald Hine is a social thinker, writer, speaker and the co-founder of the Dark Mountain Project and a school called HOME.
"I have spent my adult life talking to people about climate change, and I've never been the guy whose job it is to stand up there with the charts and explain the science of it. I come in when we get into the question of 'what does it mean? How are we changed by this knowledge? What would it take for us to absorb this in a way that looked like taking it seriously, rather than looked like assuming it was a problem that could be fixed and made to go away?'" ~ Dougald Hine
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Waylon talks with artist Bri Wenke about art, feminism, community, and “taking off our armor.”
Bri is a contemporary figurative painter and installation artist with work that often evokes strength in vulnerability. Her work is also powerfully about community.
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Waylon asks—can we talk with one another? Can we listen to one another? We’re more powerful, less rigid, than we think we are.
“This is just a reminder that we can breathe. We can be a little more powerful than we think we may be, a little less fragile, a little less knee jerk reactionary—which I definitely am sometimes..!” ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon talks with Keith Martin-Smith about being a writer, addressing attachement and ego, his new book, When the Buddha Needs Therapy.
As Keith says, no human being can awaken what they can't see.
"If you think you don't have shadows or attachment or trauma issues...you probably have really big ones." ~ Keith Martin-Smith
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Keith Martin-Smith is an award-winning author of several books, a writing coach, and a Zen priest. He has a strong interest in Integral theory, psychological shadow work, and the awakening process.
Marianne Williamson talks with Elephant’s Waylon Lewis of Walk the Talk Show about why she’s running for President as a Democrat in 2024..! She’s a best-selling author, political activist, spiritual thought-leader, and, yes, a presidential candidate. They debate, agree, discuss, all respectfully and with honesty and passion.
*“No amount of personal transformation will deal with the fact that the planet is becoming uninhabitable if we don’t stop fossil fuel extraction. You can drink all the green juice in the world, but they’re poisoning the water and the air and the food.
You can do all these things and transform yourself. But the zeitgeist of this moment isn’t just about yourself. A lot of higher consciousness work had circled around into a kind of atomized narcissistic ‘it’s all about me, it’s all about me.’ The transformation of the planet isn’t all about you. The transformation of the planet is about us.” ~ Marianne Williamson*
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Marianne and Waylon have previously spoken on Walk the Talk Show in 2014. Find it on Elephant, here. Marianne Williamson is a bestselling author, political activist, and spiritual thought leader. For over three decades, she has been a leader in spiritual and religiously progressive circles. She is the author of 15 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Williamson founded Project Angel Food, a non-profit organization that has delivered more than 14 million meals to ill and dying homebound patients since 1989. The group was created to help people suffering from the ravages of HIV/AIDS. She has also worked throughout her career on poverty, anti-hunger and racial reconciliation issues. In 2004, she co-founded The Peace Alliance and supports the creation of a U.S. Department of Peace. Williamson ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. Learn more about her 2024 plans, here.
Let this be a little encouragement for you to honor this finite, precious life and every moment in it.
Waylon Lewis on Birthdays:
“Whether life is short or long, every day we have is precious. Mark that preciousness.From a Buddhist point of view, birthdays are sacred. They’re a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, and mark, and honor the passing of time—similar to [what] Robin Williams [talked about] in Dead Poets Society.”
“I wanted to offer a little reminder and a little bit of encouragement. From a Buddhist point of view, honoring impermanence, this precious life, and the opportunity it gives us every day, every minute that we’re here to make use of that life to be of benefit to all sentient beings (including ourself). So on the next birthday you have, let’s put some love into it.”
Waylon talks with Sharon Salzberg about her new book, Real Life, her aspirations for our world, and their mutual passion for voting and being an active, caring citizen.
Sharon is a longtime friend of Elephant. Read an excerpt of Real Life on Elephant Journal.
“Some of your other books have focused on how to be a part of, as my Buddhist community likes to say, creating enlightened society. How to be a helpful part of change. If I have it right, this book is focused on living a meaningful life and dealing with all the challenges and obstacles and difficult emotions that come up.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Waylon talks with Adam Carney of Wisdom Medicine and EAST+WEST Yoga and they talk about, well, a little bit of everything: functional medicine, chronic illness, telemedicine, entrepreneurship, leadership, yoga, travel, and being of benefit. Don’t miss out on this compelling conversation between two mindful gents, experts in their fields.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
The Purpose of Elephant's Mindful Life Challenge isn't to Save the Planet. Elephant offers a challenge to members of the Academy, but it might not be for the reasons you think. Waylon Lewis explains the purpose of Elephant Journal's "Mindful Life Challenge." If you’ve been thinking about joining—take a leap, if so inspired. Summer enrollments end soon.
Waylon gets wowed by Scott Berman of Sky Cave Retreats. Just…watch…it’s unique (understatement) and inspiring and earthy and healing.
“There’s this period of novelty where it’s just like, ‘Wow, this is amazing. I don’t have to do anything. Nothing’s bothering me.’ And that might last for like the day, or it might last for a minute. Typically it doesn’t last for the whole day, but some people get by enjoying the novelty for the day. Right?
And that’s what happens for everybody. No matter how well prepared somebody is or how advanced they feel that they are, there’s the discomfort that arises because we almost never allow discomfort to come in the moment.” ~ Scott Berman
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Mindful Mondays, with Waylon Lewis: On the importance of pausing and celebrating our lives. “Sometimes, often all we have to do is pause and really look for two seconds.
Maybe…three.
And, as Buddhists love to say, nothing happens. When nothing happens, we start being present with our world, and our life. We start breathing again.. We start smiling, and feeling our sadness, and feeling brave enough to feel—to be present in our own life.” ~ Waylon LewisRead the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
I sat down with author Anjie Cho on feng shui! This stuff inspires me! 90% of it is easily applicable. "I'm so honored to be here: when I first started as an entrepreneur, I submitted my articles in 2015 and 2016 to Elephant and they're still there. You started posting them and I was like, oh my gosh! What we say doesn't go away. Right? These [articles] are still relevant and I'm not embarrassed of what I wrote. It's full circle." ~ Anjie Cho
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal. Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
I’m here to talk aboutwritingtoday. The virtue of writing.
We need to open the prison door and let writing out of just being for this limited thing that is called writers.
Writing is for anyone with a voice. And that’s you, and me. Some people will always tell us we aren’t good enough, smart enough, knowledgeable enough. That’s their problem.
Writing is getting to know our experience—and in so doing—turning it into wisdom that is helpful to self and others.
That’s what we practice in Elephant Academy. If you’ve been thinking about joining—take a leap, if so inspired. Summer enrollments end soon.
Waylon with his inspiring friend Shoshanna Raven on…women’s leadership, pre-judgement, optimism/caring, balance, and Living Brave.
“I want to say thank you because when we met, I did not have a business. I did not have ‘Living Brave.’ I didn’t have my brand. I just had words and experiences and emotions that I wanted to share through writing.
Writing was a vessel for me to really learn who I was, and then be able to impact people with my words. Elephant was one of the first places that I ever wrote.” ~ Shoshanna Raven
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
This week Waylon chats with meditation teacher, psychologist, and (sometimes Elephant author) and author Tara Brach.
They talk broken hearts, loneliness, living with integrity, exploring safe spaces in community—and stretching beyond those spaces of safety to connect with others.
Tara is a co-founder of Cloud Sangha. Find out more about their offerings and RSVP for a free open house session to explore human connection and foster a sense of belonging.
"...stretching to be vulnerable. Stretching to quiet our own minds so we can listen to each other. Stretching to speak with those that we don't agree with because we really can include each other and learn from each other." ~ Tara Brach
Read the full article on Elephant Journal.
Waylon Lewis talks with guiding meditation teacher, psychologist and author Tara Brach. They speak about loneliness, the need for social connection, and the importance of relationships by diving into the root causes of the current epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection.
Tara Brach is a meditation teacher, psychologist and author of several books including international bestselling Radical Acceptance, Radical Compassion and Trusting the Gold. Her popular weekly podcast on emotional healing and spiritual awakening is downloaded 3 million times a month. Along with Jack Kornfield, Tara leads the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP), and is a co-founder of Cloud Sangha.
Find out more about Cloud Sangha and RSVP for a free open house session to explore human connection and foster a sense of belonging.
This week Waylon hopes that our recent natural disasters and toxic wildfire smoke will help folks to wake up and make necessary changes.
“We’ve had toxic wildfires and wildfire smoke here in Boulder for maybe 10 years. It’s really unhealthy, it’s awful for businesses. Right now, today, New York and most of Canada is going through what we’ve gone through for many years. It’s good to see it on the cover of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Here I am at my local café thinking maybe people will wake up….” ~ Waylon Lewis
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Waylon talks with Rachelle Robinett on…Herbs, Wellness 101, Healthy Traveling, Doughnuts, Coffee, Maintaining a sense of Delight, & her Final Frontier (for now).
“You can guide people into a healthy place. But of course, there’s also a ton of capitalization on trends with the wrong motivations for quick sales.” ~ Rachelle Robinett
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
So the other day I wrote something sweet and vulnerable and open and…clearly annoying…and a longtime Buddhist pal laughed at me and told me to shut it.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Waylon talks with co-host and managing editor of Daily Blast Live, Sam Schacher, on gun violence—& doing something helpful about it. {Video & Podcast}
Sam and Waylon talk over gun safety—and if you’re in Colorado, join her (and thousands of others) on June 5th. Listen to the conversation for what’s at stake.
On June 5th, the organization Here 4 The Kids is starting a national movement, beginning in Colorado.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
This week on Mindful Monday, Waylon addresses the evironmental impacts of our choices.
The quote he was trying and failing to properly recall: “Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money.” ~ Cree Indian Prophecy
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
On the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder: Yogi & Peace Activist Reggie Hubbard has a message for ALL of us. 🙏🏾 Despite some internet connectivity issues, they dig into issues around police brutality, challenges facing people of color, privilege. Reggie shares an invite to this Thursday’s (free, and open to all) virtual sangha hosted by three black male teachers at Kripalu, in honor of those lost to violence on May 25, the National Day of Remembrance for George Floyd. Stay tuned: they’ll continue the conversation at a later date. "People get caught in the shame cycle. They don’t have the words, so they draw back and then they wanna pretend like it’s not there. And then when they pretend like it’s not there, it just perpetuates harm. I’m glad that we’re having this conversation across racial lines, or whatever, because I’m here for you. You’re here for me. And the myth of separation that we have just because our skin color is different is perpetuating tremendous suffering in our nation because if I don’t feel safe around you, and you don’t feel safe around me, then we’re stuck at an impasse. But if we become more vulnerable, and if I’m willing to share from my experience, and you’re willing to hear with an open heart and a clear mind, there’s a lot of stuff that can happen there.” ~ Reggie Hubbard Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal and find the link to join the free, virtual meditation.
This week Waylon talks about one aspect of our speedy, "to-go" culture that alarms him and a simple, practical way that we can address it in our everyday lives...that he learned, by example, from his Mama.
As he says in the video, this isn't news to anyone listening, but it is a mindful reminder that we can all benefit from hearing.
"We can get back to community and supporting one another very simply by doing something my mom taught me by example, which is buying secondhand." ~ Waylon Lewis
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Waylon talks with Ellie Laks, founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national organization that rescues and loves unwanted animals, and heals people with stories of abuse and neglect. They talk about the work she and her team do at The Gentle Barn(s), how it all started, and the #1 way we can help without leaving our homes.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
This week Waylon discusses three categories of judgement that one might face from others: criticism, praise, and toxic attacks. Criticism is something many of us shy away from. We shouldn’t. It can make us better, if we know how to separate the wheat from the chaff. Praise is fun, but can be uncomfortable or unhealthy. Still, it’s good information to get. Toxic attacks—those are another story, and can really hurt or…just slide right off. Let’s talk about how. “The biggest fear or concern slowing me down is, can I handle this? Can I handle the emotionality, the criticism?” ~ Waylon Lewis Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Waylon talks with Miyoko Schinner, the acclaimed entrepreneur, vegan cookbook author, founder of Miyoko’s Creamery and Rancho Compasión, a farmed animal sanctuary. They discuss veganism, Miyoko’s firing from the company she founded, the importance of DYI in the kitchen, and how we can support small businesses while launching a peaceful, real, live revolution in today’s food system before it’s too late.
While you may know Miyoko’s name best from Miyoko’s Creamery and its products, she describes herself as an “epicurean activist out to end cruelty to animals and climate change by connecting our palate to our future.”
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
This week Waylon discusses a handful of things that have come to enrich his life in the present that he learned from growing up with less. “People talk about being poor as a sort of a negative thing. However it gave me life skills and appreciation for things that have enriched my entire life. There’s financial poverty, and that’s real, and there are real problems around it. But there are also some positive attributes, and I want to highlight a few of those.” ~ Waylon Lewis Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal. Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Lyme Disease is terrifying & what to do!
Waylon talks with Kayla Nelson, a holistic life and Lyme coach who has gone through and come through the other side. She now guides other through their wellness journey, spreads awareness, and acts as an advocate.
“Lyme disease itself is an invisible epidemic that is happening across the globe…and no one is talking about it.” ~ Kayla Nelson
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Mindful Mondays, with Waylon Lewis. This week Waylon discusses emotions—anger, exasperation, grieving, you-name-it—and how they can be incredibly humbling.
“We can’t ‘other’ our emotions and kick ’em out and say it’s not okay to be upset. It’s not okay to be angry. We have to bring anger in; we have to bring exasperation in; we have to bring being shocked in; we have to bring these difficult conversations and dialogues in. Because if we don’t have them, we’re never going to get to a place where we can truly heal.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening to this conversation clip. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
In our latest, greatest Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon talks with Alexandria Crow, an internationally-respected yoga instructor who leads trainings and workshops globally. She encourages each student to respect their own uniqueness, instead of conforming. We talk about yoga and perfectionism, modeling and body image, spiritual materialism, losing heart, integrity, and humor along the path. Good stuff!
"I don't begrudge the old version of me. We're doing the best we can with what we know at any given time.
And so it's like, well, all right. Now I know more. I have this mission: I want to include people. So I better not do things that lead people to believe they have to have some kind of look or ability to participate." ~ Alexandria Crow
Alexandria's guiding principles are around accessibility and inclusivity, regardless of what physicality they're coming with.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. If this was of benefit, the full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Mindful Mondays, with Waylon Lewis. When drama happens, the first thing most of us do is to try to get away from that discomfort. We defend ourselves, or attack, or…retreat, to feel safe in our cocoons. When really, all we have to do is reply, be straightforward…and then rest with that icky yucky feeling, and breathe into and through it.
Dare to feel, instead of merely reacting, and creating more drama.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. The full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
"I wanted to offer a little Earth Day manifesto, of sorts. A lot of environmentalists talk about hope and how important hope is. I'm having a hard time feeling that. I'm positive about life. I'm forward-looking. But the way things are going, it's not hopeful. They're going in the wrong, wrong direction in so many ways." ~ Waylon Lewis
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. More videos and conversations like this are on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
In our latest, greatest Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon returns for a part two conversation with Andrea Rose, whom he calls “pure eco inspiration” and who is the co-founder of the Planet-Based Living Festival in Boulder, Colorado.
Her mission is to heal, inspire, and transform the lives of people, animals and the planet through the education of “PLANET-Based Living.”
“Do you know what the most eco, green item is? One you already have!” ~ Andrea Rose
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. The full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Waylon talks with Zen Buddhist teacher Koshin Paley Ellison about Buddhism’s eightfold path—what is it, and how does it apply to our everyday life?
Koshin, author of "Untangled; Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion." is the co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.
“What’s so beautiful is that inside of the eightfold path, it’s not linear. Some of us want to jump from one to the next, but we also honor where we get caught and where we struggle. Our struggles don’t ever really end, but our relationship to them changes because of how we focus on them through the aspects of the eightfold path.” ~ Koshin Paley Ellison
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal for more context.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. The full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
Waylon talks with Chemi Lhamo, a Tibetan Community Activist, in this latest greatest episode of Walk the Talk Show about the recent Dalai Lama controversy.
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal for more context.
Thanks for listening. Hope you're getting a lot out of it. The full conversation is on our indie platform that supports & continues our work: elephantjournal.com/videos You can subscribe, listen, watch, & participate there—and when you do so you'll keep these mindful videos and podcasts going.
In our latest, greatest Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon talks with Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action—the largest grassroots movement in the United States—on commonsense gun reform and what you can and must do about it: text READY to 644-33 to join a Moms Demand Action chapter in your town.
“When there are these national shooting tragedies, people do want to get involved…often they want to get in quick, do something, and get out. But that is not how activism works in this country. I call it the unglamorous heavy lifting of grassroots activism. It requires you to show up over and over again.” ~ Shannon Watts
Read the accompanying article on Elephant Journal.
Mindful Mondays, with Waylon Lewis. This week Waylon sat down with Elephant’s own Nicole Cameron: writer extraordinaire and managing editor at Elephant Journal. They talked about her average workday, dogs, and the “challenges” of the last year in indie media. This should be a good watch for any writer or reader at Elephant curious about some of the inner workings.
New videos and podcasts are released each week. Follow us to never miss an episode: Subscribe to view our full, complete videos on Union: elephantjournal.com/mindfulpathpasses Listen to "The Walk the Talk Show" podcast: www.elephantjournal.com/podcast Like "The Walk the Talk Show" on Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkthetalkshow Follow "The Walk the Talk Show" on Instagram: www.instagram.com/walkthetalkshow
In our latest, greatest Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, Waylon talks with Andrea Rose, a veritable fount of knowledge of all things “planet-based living” and the co-founder of the Planet-Based Living Festival in Boulder, Colorado.
Her mission is to heal, inspire, and transform the lives of people, animals and the planet through the education of “PLANET-Based Living.”
“I have such a caring-about-the-planet crush on you. I’m so into this!” ~ Waylon Lewis
Stay tuned for part two of their conversation next week.
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis presents:
Mindful Mondays, with Waylon Lewis. I had a lot of loss last year and a lot of grief, and I think some depression and some giving up. And in my recent, first Ayahuasca ceremony, after those hours of crying and crying and love and crying and crying, I was left with a question that wasn’t hopeful—but it was real.
And that question was, why love again?
Why would I open my heart up again when I’ve lost so much?
When we love, we risk losing. Don’t we learn from abuse, not to go back for more? Why shouldn’t we learn from love lost?
Then, suddenly, I found a way forward.
A new Walk the Talk Show conversation with Waylon Lewis: Waylon and speaks with the founder of The Vegan Stay, Faik Bouhrik.
The Vegan Stay is basically a vegan Airbnb with locations all over the world—and our staying at one directly benefits animal sanctuaries. Read the article on Elephant Journal and support Indie Media.
Waylon and bestselling author David Richo discuss the 5 A’s in relationship with parenting, our lover, and our sweet self.
“I wrote this book based on my realization that the only models I had for what a relationship could look like were my parents, and movies. I wondered if there was an actual skill that one could learn, so that a relationship could work better.” ~ David Richo
St. Patrick's Day may have come and gone, but this video merely uses it as an example for a larger conversation:
"Some traditions are beautiful. Some are awful. Most are both. Some change is needed. Some should be fought. Discernment is key. Know our history." ~ Waylon Lewis
Read the article Waylon quotes inside this video, "Tradition alone is not enough reason to continue something that has unnecessary pain and hurt wrapped up in it."
This week, instead of his usual weekly three mindful tips…Waylon is sharing three mindful things he’s working through in his own life—right now:
- How to give helpful advice.
- How to get good advice.
- And how to make big, hard decisions.
“The first step in taking good advice is to insist that the person dispensing good advice listens, first, because if they don’t listen, they don’t know all the factors.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon talks with Francesca Perotti. They discuss how to get through really, really tough time times and feeling comfortable with our loneliness when it comes up.
"It's easy to get lost in the darkness, and get lost in victimhood...to not taking responsibility. If you're moving through darkness, if you're moving through something really hard, then hopefully you are surrounded by people who can help you see that there's light at the end of the tunnel and that this is actually happening for you, not to you." ~ Francesca Perotti
This week, instead of his usual weekly three mindful tips…Waylon is sharing three things he’s noticed (during his trip to Halifax to visit his Mama) that he has learned and been taught by his mom over the years.
“There’s all these weird things that I do in my life and…sometimes I feel [self-conscious] about them. Like, why do I do these [weird] things? And then I see my mom do that thing…and there’s a moment of humor, and tenderness, and appreciation, and gratitude for the kind of parenting I had.” ~ Waylon Lewis
- Enlightened Society.
- She creates the thread of community wherever she goes.
- A connection with nature that is resilient.
Waylon talks with Ailey Jolie, who describes herself as a human first, and a psychotherapist second. We discuss maitri, dating culture, communication, and masculinity.
“Most ruptures and harm happens in intimate connection. And so if we are to repair that or restore a sense of resiliency, it’s our relationships that are going to have to change for our life to change, as well.” ~ Ailey Jolie
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Sidewalk & Road Salt, Fruit Labels, & Mom’s tip about Mail.
"Hey friends, every Friday I share three specific, useful, fun, interesting—at least to me—mindful tips. They're probably kind of nerdy, but they're applicable to our daily lives from a mindful point of view, an eco point of view, and from a point of view of caring about society." ~ Waylon Lewis Read the full article on elephantjournal.com and support independent media.
Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon talks with Glyphosate Girl Kelly Ryerson. We discuss the dangers of glyphosate, alternative healthy organic pesticides, and Monsanto.
"When when glyphosate first came out, in those early days before it was an herbicide, it was actually used to clean boilers—metal boilers and metal pipes because it could chelate minerals, bind them together. And then you could clean 'em out really easily. So now you apply this to the soil...and it's doing the same thing where it's chelating and binding minerals, making 'em bio-unavailable in our crops.
And we wonder why we're all so nutrient deficient?!" ~ Kelly Ryerson
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: "I’ve been awfully lonely, lately, on the inside."
"Hey friends, every Friday I share three specific, useful, fun, interesting—at least to me—mindful tips. They're probably kind of nerdy, but they're applicable to our daily lives from a mindful point of view, an eco point of view, and from a point of view of caring about society." ~ Waylon Lewis Read the full article on elephantjournal.com and support independent media.
Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon talks with publisher, author, activist (and gardener!) Maria Rodale. We'll discuss her humorous and surprising conversations with the spirits of plants and animals via shamanic journeys, as discussed in her new book: Love, Nature, Magic.
"I had been doing shamanic journeying on my own for about 10 years and I was out gardening one day and really annoyed. Totally annoyed by this one weed, right? Mugwort. Like, I wanted to kill it—to the point where I was almost ready to use [Monsanto's poison] Roundup, which is crazy.
So I decided to do a shamanic journey to see if I could talk to this plant and find out why it was so annoying.
...And that opened up a whole new world for me." ~ Maria Rodale
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: “It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with your Life.”
"Hey friends, every Friday I share three specific, useful, fun, interesting—at least to me—mindful tips. They're probably kind of nerdy, but they're applicable to our daily lives from a mindful point of view, an eco point of view, and from a point of view of caring about society." ~ Waylon Lewis
Get Waylon's two books at: elephantjournal.com/books. They make great eco gifts and mindful, hopefully-life-changing reads. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Inside a new Walk the Talk Show conversation with Waylon Lewis: he and longtime Elephriend and author, Danielle LaPorte, discuss love, reverence, making friends with ourselves, and metta meditation.
Waylon: “With your new book, you decided to tackle a little subject….”
Danielle: “Yeah.”
Waylon: “Not a big, big deal. Just a little thing. A little thing called ‘Love.'”
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Eye Glasses, the Only Shameful thing, +...Tea Kettles.
"Hey friends, every Friday I share three specific, useful, fun, interesting—at least to me—mindful tips. They're probably kind of nerdy, but they're applicable to our daily lives from a mindful point of view, an eco point of view, and from a point of view of caring about society." ~ Waylon Lewis
Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis presents (well, actually, this one isn’t hosted by us, but) Debra Silverman, psychotherapist, author, and astrologist, featured Waylon Lewis as a guest in her Astrological Immersion. During their conversation, Debra read Waylon’s astrological chart and they spoke about how Waylon’s life experiences and personal tendencies can be found within it. Learn more about Waylon, and hopefully yourself, by listening in.
Waylon’s chart…
Waylon Lewis: “What I don’t know about astrology could fill the rest of this seminar.”
Debra Silverman: “Well, that’s perfect because that’s why I’m here.”
Waylon talks with Cara Cifelli about diet culture/dating/thin privilege/beauty privilege and maitri—the Buddhist path of making friends with ourselves and how we feel about how we look.
“You deserve a partnership where you can relax and be your whole self. A partner who loves and accepts you fully.
So does believing you have to diet and change yourself to find a relationship the best strategy to finding the type of relationship you most desire? Or are you objectifying yourself in the same way you resent being objectified?” ~ @caracarincifelli
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Birdfeeders, Big Fonts, & Little Free Libraries—oh my!
"Hey friends, every Friday I share three specific, useful, fun, interesting—at least to me—mindful tips. They're probably kind of nerdy, but they're applicable to our daily lives from a mindful point of view, an eco point of view, and from a point of view of caring about society." ~ Waylon Lewis
Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon Lewis and longtime friend and yoga teacher, Faith Hunter, discuss careers, burnout, moms, as well as tokenism and access within the yoga community.
Waylon: “What’s your helpful advice for whoever who are dealing with burnout and trying to take care of themselves while on the whole treadmill of being busy? Parents, entrepreneurs, students, everyone?”
Faith: “I think the thing that I’ve learned and I probably would’ve told myself 10 years ago is to try my best to get rest and create some level of balance. When I was young, I was vibrant and I was excited and things are popping…and…it’s hard to say no! And so I was probably saying ‘yes’ to way more than I should have said ‘yes’ to.”
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Buy button, Vegan v. Aggression, Cycling every D*mn Day.
“A lot of us get depressed about climate change, depressed about our future, depressed that our politicians aren’t taking action quickly enough, but we fail to be accountable to changes we can make.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon talks with Tuwe Inu Bake, an indigenous chief of an Amazonian tribe in Brazil about how we can work together as a human family to help his tribe, the Amazon, and our planet. Our thanks to Ari Brasil of Earth Medicine Alliance for the assistance in translation to make this conversation possible.
“Tuwe Ina Bake is the son of the traditional chief of the Huni Kuin Kaxinawá peoples of Brazil. He is an indigenous leader, a spokesperson for his peoples and their issues domestically and internationally, and is also a film maker who is documenting an emerging issue on the border between Peru and Brazil – peoples in voluntary isolation are forced to leave their lands and are approaching the territories of the Kaxinawa peoples of the Western Amazon.”
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Fidgeting from a Buddhist pov, Idling, & Salt sucks. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon Lewis and Jamie Logan discuss answers to common questions around veganism, as well as “why,” is vegetarianism a thing, what to eat/cook, health, and the benefits of veganism for the planet.
Cheerful New Year! I send love and luck and healing and kindness and caring to you all, pass it on! May we all be genuinely happy, content, and full of benefit for others. For those of us who survived 2022 mostly intact, may we rest in gratitude—and share any kindnesses we have received, in this life, with others who have been made more vulnerable, this year. Support local, please. Boycott Amazon, please. Climate Change is here, and gathering power—please engage in micro and macro actions to reverse it, like protecting mature trees, going vegan, going zero-waste, offsetting your travel, and when you travel, supporting local. May this year help heal us, and bring us together, even as our very real differences continue to wake us up to important questions: can we continue to progress toward equality, and equity? Can we promote truth, not lies? Can we find respect for science, not “youtube research” and conspiracy theories? Can we feel our defeat, our cynicism, dig deep, and be the ones we have been waiting for? The answer is simple: we must. Thank you for reading and listening to Elephant, this year.
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Drama, Letting go isn't Dropping, & Equal Appreciation. Oh my!
"Even if something is negative—negative is hard, it's scary—if we can be brave, if we can be open, if we can be vulnerable, if we can care...then we can actually become truly fearless.
The Buddhist definition of fearlessness is not being without fear, but going through fear and actually relaxing and being comfortable. So drama, if it happens to us once in a while, is probably because we're surrounded by some neurosis. If it happens to us regularly, however, it is time to take some responsibility. Which is what we talked about last week.
You can find all the videos on my new brand new YouTube channel." ~ Waylon Lewis
Inside a new Walk the Talk Show conversation this week with Waylon Lewis: he shares a short, basic meditation that can be used during the holidays, or any big moments in our lives, to help with stress, anxiety, drama, fear, and all the ucky stuff.
“If you do it all the time, your problems will be solved because you’ll turn into a Buddhist superhero—so watch out..!
There’s no prerequisites to this meditation. There are meditations in Buddhism where it’s really important we do them in order, and we have some preparation and study. This one, however, is basic. That doesn’t mean it’s light. It’s quite powerful, but it’s basic, and you can do it at any moment.” ~ Waylon Lewis
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Being Late, Buddhism’s “Drive all blames into one,” & Expressing Appreciation. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Inside a new Walk the Talk Show conversation this week with Waylon Lewis: he speaks about why the choices we make around our habitual patterns and what we do with them matter.
We wake up and get on our phones. When the day is done, the TV’s on.
“Thank you so much. Hope you’re all very well. Try to inject a little more mindfulness into your day…and that’ll help your brain deal with stress, deal with drama, deal with burnout, deal with depression.
A lot of times people say you can’t help depression with these things—there’s literally a study that came out recently about how depression is seriously alleviated and sometimes even prevented by going for a walk in nature.
So, yes: what we do with our habitual patterns matters.” ~ Waylon Lewis
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Repeating Names, Conscious Xmas Tree & Mindful Holiday Gifts. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Inside a new Walk the Talk Show conversation this week with Waylon Lewis: he speaks with Jolene Beaton as they discuss dating today, reaching out to community to find meaningful connections, and how to begin to share yourself with the world, whether you’re looking for a date or not.
“I super casually posted [on Instagram]. I post this thing about being ready to date and honestly, I thought it might be kind of exciting and fun and maybe it would have 20 comments and it turned out to be hundreds of comments.
And you know, the best comments were people saying, 'you know what, this inspires me to reach out on to my community and be open. This is maybe an effective way to connect with my people and there’s nothing shameful about it.'
I love that.” ~ Waylon Lewis
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: prejudice, anti-Semitism, composting. You know, #themindfullife mix. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Prejudice is complicated: anti-Semitism is real and yet there are different layers of privilege and racism and sexism and homophobia and many more virulent forms of “othering”—you know, ignorant hate.
Prejudice is simple: we dissolve it when we open our minds and hearts. That’s how we know it isn’t true, it can only survive in the clouds of that ignorance and hate.
I’m half-Jewish. Whenever I post about anti-Semitism on Facebook, over the past years, my own friends and community have dismissed my personal concerns. Whatever, you’re white, they say.
Read my response on Elephant Journal: My name isn’t “Waylon Lewis.”
~ Waylon Lewis
This week on Waylon’s “3 Mindful Tips every Friday”: Hot Water Bottles, the Art of the Cameo, Moths. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Inside a new Walk the Talk Show conversation this week with Waylon Lewis, he speaks with Hedieh Safiari as they discuss protests & cause for basic freedoms in #Iran. Please care, please share.
Consider using these hashtags on social media when you share in order to make our collective voices heard: #democracy #womenlifefreedom #beourvoice #mahsaamini #iranprotests #unicef #unitednations
This week on Waylon’s “Three Mindful Tips every Friday”: Ukraine/Democracy, Climate action for all, Veganism. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon Lewis reads chapters one, two, and three from his newly released book “It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with your Life.” Included is commentary on each chapter.
“A collection of precious wisdom that I learned along the way. I pass it on to you, to make use of every day.” ~ Waylon Lewis
This week on Waylon’s 3 Mindful Tips Fridays: How to Write Every Day, Permaculture, To-Go Coffee. Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Waylon Lewis talks with Renee T. Bavineau about ecofashion, fastfashion, climate crisis, brands we can support, thrift…all from the perspective of an industry insider who cares.
“Someone asked the room, ‘Where do you stand on sustainability?’And some [CEO] stood up and said, ‘We can’t afford to be sustainable.’
Even being the shy girl that I am, I couldn’t help myself. I stood up, "You can’t afford not to be sustainable.'” ~ Renee T. Bavineau
This week on Waylon’s 3 Mindful Tips Fridays: Space, Vintage, Vote (+ bonus tip). Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
The Connection between Vegan & Feminist & Toxic Masculinity & Consent isn’t just a woke joke. It’s obvious. Waylon Lewis talks with Ethan Bishop about ….
“So, someone I work with sends me amazing videos from around the interwebs all the time. And the other day she sent me one of yours. And first of all, I want to thank you for it ’cause in this speedy, crazy age of social media, you tied in like 18 different issues in however long that Reel was.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis features: Waylon Lewis is back with his award-winning video series and podcast. He's starting out with three mindful tips each week. Want to ask a question, or submit a mindful tip? Comment on YouTube, or DM @waylonlewis on Insta.
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis features: Let’s talk The End (?!) of Democracy with Kelly Krout.
Waylon Lewis talks with Kelly Krout, aka Kelly for Arkansas, about, you know, partisanship, the end of democracy, mindful use of social media, how to empower children to ask questions and get inspired, and transgender rights.
Waylon: “What the heck inspired you—a mom of seven boys—to, you know, run for anything? And why?”
Kelly: “I’ve had people kind of challenge [it] like “Hey, you know, you’ve got young kids. Why wouldn’t you wait and do this later?” But I wanna be a part of changing the world that they are growing up in, not the world that they grew up in.”
Find Kelly on most major social media platforms, such as Twitter and TikTok, and check out her campaign website. Give her a follow and help spread the word.
May it be of benefit!
Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis features: Waylon Lewis sat down to talk with Carmen Pratt, on vegan/climate crisis issues. She's a young activist/influencer and she's both inspired, and knowledgeable, and fun to talk with and listen to. Follow Carmen on Instagram for continued climate crisis news and ways you can get involved. May it be of benefit!
Get Andy’s Book: https://bit.ly/3vvBUR7 An Elephant-approved must-read.
In Grappling, Andrew Horning helps you identify the best man you can be in a rapidly evolving world. By focusing on intrapersonal and interpersonal elements, Andrew provides you with practical tools for navigating today’s complex issues and balancing masculinity with accountability. Learn how to utilize compassion and courage to rewrite your story, understand your true strengths, and realize the freedom that comes with self-discovery.
Read more about Grappling, "White Men: it’s not our Fault & it is our Responsibility. {Partner}" 👉👉 https://elejrnl.com?p=2871290
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Elephant’s Ode to Men: Our collection of mindful articles—written by humans who happen to be (or to love) men—is here to smash some stereotypes & embrace the power of healthy masculinity: elephantjournal.com/mindfulmen
~
Blogs mentioned in the conversation:
1. Liz Plank on Feminism, For the Love of Men. {Video}: https://elejrnl.com?p=2557276
2. Waylon interviews Anti-Racism Educator, Jane Elliott: https://elejrnl.com?p=1068059
3. "I am Black. This is what I Need (& what I Don’t) from White Allies.": https://elejrnl.com?p=2534566
May it be of benefit!
Sarah Wilson is a mindful entrepreneur, sugar quitter, climate queen, activist, and New York Times bestselling author. Her new book, "This One Wild and Precious Life," is a soul exploration through the complexities of climate change, Covid, racial injustice, our loneliness and our disconnection from ourselves and the life we ought to be living. Writing while hiking the world for three years, she shares wild, hopeful wisdom and vibrant solutions to arrive at a true path through the despair.
Get her book: sarahwilson.com/books
Read more: https://elejrnl.com?p=2769352
Waylon and Elephant reconnected with famous writing teacher Natalie Goldberg about the practice, the way, of Haiku. It’s far more than three simple lines—but it’s far less, too. We touch on finding your voice, Allen Ginsberg, Hemingway, Zen, and mortality.
Read the article & watch the full video: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2021/03/waylon-talks-with-natalie-goldberg-writing-teacher-extraordinaire-about-her-new-book-three-simple-lines/
Buy Natalie Goldberg's book: https://nataliegoldberg.com/books/
Yesterday, I got to talk (and listen) with one of the world’s greatest writing teachers. Writing, at its heart, is not about writing—but about listening, about finding our voice, about being of benefit—a spiritual path of catharsis, of turning confusion to wisdom. I fell in love. She listed three key simple, repetitive practices to this path of listening.
Read an excerpt of her new book: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2021/02/julia-cameron-my-favorite-guest-on-walk-the-talk-show-in-a-long-time/
Get her new book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250768582
~
Write your Heart out with Elephant Academy: This writing course isn't (just) for writers. It's for anyone who ever writes—on Instagram, in work emails, in a private journal or on a public forum. This writing course is for you—to get vulnerable, get brave, get grounded, get open. Let's do it together this Spring: https://elephant-academy.teachable.com/
Empathy transforms stress and difficulty and even suffering into joy, generosity, and love.
Empathy is the world's most transformative emotion—and we can write our way to it. 💔❤️
Write your Heart Out with us this fall. Our full, live, original, classic Elephant Academy is back and is $200 off through September 13th with code SHAREYOURHEART: elephantjournal.com/academy
Join our Maitri: How to Fall in Love with your Sweet Self at 50% off during pre-registration (for not much longer!): elephantjournal.com/maitri
For the articles referenced in this video & Waylon's "Lately, I've struggled with...", head to the article "Lately, I've struggled with..." on elephantjournal.com: https://elejrnl.com?p=2594299
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Writing isn’t for writers—it’s for anyone with a beating heart, anyone who cares about our world, anyone who truly cares about their sweet self. That's maitri—making friends with yourself, and that’s a path we can all engage on.
Writing through our neurosis, writing our story, finding our voice, writing to catharsis...to a place where what has held us back transforms and becomes like a flower opening to the world...that's our heart, opening, genuinely inspiring others to do the same thing.
Take a leap into loving yourself and re-inspiring your purpose: elephantjournal.com/academy ($200 off for the early brave foolish joiners among you with code SHAREYOURHEART).
For you. We don't know if, or when, we'll do it again.
Join Mentors, peers, Elephant Editors, and Waylon for 6 weeks this Fall. We're coming together to write together, and learn how to fall in love with ourselves and our lives through our craft.
Just had the honor to talk (listen) with Sharon Salzberg, a wonderful teacher of Loving-Kindness, or Maitri, or Metta—how to make friends with ourselves, so that we might enjoy empathy and be of real benefit to this world, instead of drowning in self-hate, pre-judgement of others, and war with our world.
📕 Get her new book, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/realchange/
I can’t wait to read it—she’s such a darned good writer and sweet and powerful human. ~ Waylon Lewis
💔♥️🙏
♥️ If you’re inspired to go deeper, do our Maitri: How to Fall in Love with your Sweet Self course featuring an exclusive video with Sharon Salzberg on how to actually practice Maitri: https://elephantjournal.com/maitri 👈🐘 (Half off now for preregistration.)
Additional articles mentioned:
• The Most Important Article on Elephant, Ever: Maitri: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/maitri/
• A Positivity Manifesto: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/10/a-positivity-manifesto/
• The Buddhist Rule about Worrying: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/08/buddhist-rule-re-worrying
For the full article with even more Sharon Salzberg goodness, head to: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/waylon-with-sharon-salzberg-real-change-mindfulness-to-heal-ourselves-the-world-video/
If you love Elephant and want to support us and enable us to keep doing videos like these, subscribe: https://www.elephantjournal.com/subscribe/
Elephant's weekly Community Gathering—July 17, 2020.
Join Elephant's (free!) weekly Gatherings live and become a part of the conversation and community on Fridays at 10 a.m. MST: http://elephantjournal.com/gathering
The weekly mindful round-up of articles and resources mentioned in the meeting:
- It’s my Birthday today. Guess how old I am? ~ Waylon H. Lewis: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/its-my-birthday-today-guess-how-old-i-am-waylon-h-lewis/
- Eternity ~ William Blake: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/a-complete-list-of-the-actual-quotes-waylon-is-vaguely-referring-to/
- Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/pema-chodron-tonglen-a-meditation-practice-for-difficult-times/
- How to Celebrate one’s Birthday in the Buddhist Tradition: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/10/how-to-celebrate-ones-birthday-in-the-buddhist-tradition/
- This is why we bow: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/05/this-is-why-we-bow/
- The Five Levels of Mask-Wearing—Immature Jerks, find out which two you’re on: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/06/the-five-levels-of-mask-wearing-immature-jerks-find-out-which-two-youre-on/
- 10 Great Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/03/10-great-eleanor-roosevelt-quotes/
- Death comes without warning: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/09/video-death-comes-without-warning/
- The Buddhist Four Reminders: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/02/buddhadharma-via-frank-berliner-the-four-reminders-meditation-practice-renunciation-and-retreat/
- Every body gets Old: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/06/every-body-gets-old/
- 7 Quotes, 1 Video: Old Body, Timeless Joy: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/08/17-quotes-1-video-happy-old-age/
- A Classic Commencement Speech: Steve Jobs (Plus, the Buddhist 4 Reminders): https://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/steve-jobs-the-buddhist-four-reminders/
- There’s a 13th Star Sign & Yours Just Changed (Maybe): https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/your-star-sign-just-changed-according-to-nasa-or-did-it/
Big Announcement from Elephant Academy: When you join any Academy course, you get access to Elephant Camp: A private, live meeting every Friday with a specific training, writing exercise, or meditation exercise to dive deeper in your learning with Waylon Lewis and community. Learn more: elephantjournal.com/academy
This week, we hosted Liz Plank, one of our world’s most delightful, insightful, and incisive Feminists, as part of our Elephant Gathering & Elephant Camp (part of Elephant Academy). Waylon talked with Liz Plank about feminism, gender equality, her book, For the Love of Men, toxic vs. mindful masculinity, and how we can all join in actively in a movement to be of benefit to this world.
In addition to the Elephant Gathering discussion, Liz went on to lead a writing exercise to discover our true self with our Elephant Academy Camp attendees. If you’re interested in watching that video or joining Camp, you can sign up for any Elephant Academy course and be automatically registered for Camp: elephantjournal.com/academy
Join Elephant Gathering (free!): elephantjournal.com/gathering.
For more, check out our blog: Waylon Lewis with Liz Plank: Feminism, For the Love of Men, {Video} on elephantjournal.com: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/waylon-lewis-with-liz-plank-feminism-for-the-love-of-men-video/
On letting go of Entertainment, reconnecting with Basic Goodness, gaining Empathy as the root of Helpful Activism. Your Homework: do Nothing.
~
Elephant's weekly (free) Community Retreat—June 19, 2020
Next Friday we're offering another free Elephant Retreat. Join more conversations like this: elephantjournal.com/retreat. You have to register to save your spot, but it's free.
“If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love her enough.” ~ Senator Cory Booker Read: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/06/if-america-hasnt-broken-your-heart-you-dont-love-her-enough-senator-cory-booker/
Support Elephant and Independent Media. When you subscribe, you'll get to read unlimited articles, and see fewer ads. It's $3/month: elephantjournal.com/subscribe
This Friday, we're offering another free Elephant Retreat. Join more conversations like this: elephantjournal.com/retreat. You have to register to save your spot, but it's free.
Some of the articles referenced in the video, enjoy:
•
I love old statues. But…
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/06/i-love-old-statues-but-waylon-lewis/
• Brené Brown on Empathy: How we’re Showing Up in all the Wrong ways for those we Love: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/09/brene-brown-flawlessly-defines-empathy-in-this-enlightening-endearing-video-kelsey-michal/
• When Things Fall Apart: My Favorite Pema Chödrön Quotes: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/04/when-things-fall-apart-my-favorite-pema-chodron-quotes-for-quarantine-sarah-harvey/
• Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen, a meditation practice for difficult times: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/pema-chodron-tonglen-a-meditation-practice-for-difficult-times/
•
Walk the Talk Show: Joan Halifax Roshi: How to Balance Inner Work & Outer Social Activism: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/04/walk-the-talk-show-joan-halifax-roshi-how-to-balance-inner-work-outer-social-activism/
•
Homemade Granola & Almond Milk. {Vegan, Gluten-Free Recipe}: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/05/homemade-granola-almond-milk-vegan-gluten-free-recipe/
"Racism is a learned affliction and anything that is learned can be unlearned." ~ #JaneElliott
Here's the full video and the landmark exercise featured on Oprah and in classrooms across America—watch and be humbled, awaken your heart, share and educate: elephantjournal.com/2016/01/if-you-know-you-arent-racist-watch-this-blue-eyed-brown-eyed-test 🖤
Additional articles referenced:
• "I am Black. This is what I Need (& what I Don’t) from White Allies." elephantjournal.com/2020/06/i-am-black-this-is-what-i-need-what-i-dont-from-white-allies-nicole-cameron/
• The world isn’t even close to what you think it looks like: elephantjournal.com/2010/07/the-world-isnt-even-close-to-what-you-think-it-looks-like/
• Read why you’re Basically Good: elephantjournal.com/2014/02/basic-goodness-is-our-human-nature-chogyam-trungpa/
🐘 Join the movement: This Friday, we're offering another free Elephant Retreat: elephantjournal.com/retreat 🐘
"It takes bravery to feel because it's unpleasant. It's scary. If you're like me at all, you might feel unempowered—which is actually a good thing for me to feel. I should not feel empowered. I should feel like learning. I should feel like listening. But that doesn't mean that I should step back. We need to all be allies." ~ Waylon Lewis
Watch the full video, "I’m a white male. I’m the same age as George Floyd. Here’s what we do with our privilege" on Elephant: https://elejrnl.com?p=2530989
This is part of our weekly Elephant's (free) Community Retreat. 👉 Catch up on previous weeks by watching the replays, here: elephantjournal.com/retreat
Join us this Friday, free 🙏👉Waylon Lewis hosts an hour of writing, meditation, and community with 7,000 good humans from around our world. Register at elephantjournal.com/retreat to save your spot.
For last week's full video, search "Quarantine Over? Instead of reverting to 'Normal,' let’s evolve to This" on YouTube.com/elephantjournal.
This Friday, join us for our Elephant Retreat: elephantjournal.com/retreat
One hour of community connection, Q&A, and a little meditation. We're talking: 10 Basic Salves for Burn-Out & Everyday Depression.
Bring your own ideas. Bring a friend. Let's show up for each other. You have to register, but it's free: elephantjournal.com/retreat to join Waylon Lewis for an hour of live community and conversation.
We had a long list of elephantjournal.com articles for you this week. Here's your mindful roundup:
- Don’t Text & Drive, the Real Live Video.
- Conan O’Brien + Louis C.K.: “Everything’s Amazing + Nobody’s Happy.
- Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen, a meditation practice for difficult times.
- Discover Your Ikigai—(Your Reason For Living).
- Right Livelihood: Find your mindful career path forward.
- The notion of Ikigai or Right Livelihood can Save our World by Serving our Commonwealth.
- This is Parenting.
- The Good Mother.
- Empaths are the Most Selfish People on the Planet.*
- How to tell if you’re an Empath or a Narcissist.
This is a continuing part of Elephant's (free) Community Retreat:
Dear Elephriends, Thank you for showing up—we're doing this for free, and it costs us time and effort and real money—so your showing up in the midst of your life makes it all make sense.
If so inspired, text or DM a friend so we can get to 7,000 good humans, next week: elephantjournal.com/retreat (I see this growing to 10s of 1000s of us). ~ Waylon Lewis
If you're inspired to join this community with mentors and myself and our curriculum, and join the Elephant Academy community, it's more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now. And, a reminder: the discount below won't last. It's break-even for us to be able to pay our team, which they deserve. So jump in, and enjoy Elephant Academy at well off what it's ever been offered. I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code: WRITINGCLUB at elephantjournal.com/writingclub
We had a long list of Elephant Journal articles for you this week. Here's your mindful roundup:
- This is why we Bow.
- How to Meditate: The Dathun Letter via Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
- Don’t Give Up on your Yoga Practice in Lockdown.
- We are in this Together. We aren't in this Together.
- Read why you're Basically Good.
- Pema Chodron vs. Self-Help.
- Sprouting 101: Easy, tasty, nutritious & cheap to Grow.
- A Roundup of the Best Vegan Recipes on Elephant.
- The Cocoon.
This Friday, join us for Elephant’s (Free) Community Retreat:
elephantjournal.com/retreat One hour of community connection, Q&A, and a little meditation. We're talking: The Root of Overwhelm & How to Befriend it.
Bring your own ideas. Bring a friend. Let's show up for each other. You have to register, but it's free:
elephantjournal.com/retreat to join Waylon Lewis for an hour of live community and conversation.
Some of the mindful articles referenced in this podcast:
Fear to Fearlessness: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/04/fear-fearlessness/
Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen, a meditation practice for difficult times: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/pema-chodron-tonglen-a-meditation-practice-for-difficult-times/
How to Meditate: The Dathun Letter via Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/05/elebuddhadharma-the-dathun-letter-via-chogyam-trungpa-rinpoche/
Busyness is Laziness. ~ Dr. Reggie Ray: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/dr-reggie-ray-busy-ness-is-laziness/
The Most Important Article on Elephant, Ever: Maitri: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/maitri/
10 Great Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/03/10-great-eleanor-roosevelt-quotes/
Roald Dahl: the key to being Beautiful: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/01/roald-dahl-the-key-to-being-beautiful/
10 Salves for a Broken Heart:
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/08/to-love-is-to-hurt-10-salves-for-a-broken-heart/
Pema Chodron: a Buddhist teaching on Loneliness, Rejection & a Broken Heart: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/pema-chodron-the-love-that-will-not-die
21 “Non-Spiritual” Things that make us Happy: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/11/21-non-spiritual-things-that-make-us-happy/
This Friday, join us for Elephant’s (Free) Community Retreat: elephantjournal.com/retreat
One hour of community connection, Q&A, and a little meditation. We're talking: How to Show up for Your Sweet Self (whether you’re Quarantined Alone or with Others).
Bring your own ideas. Bring a friend. Let's show up for each other. You have to register, but it's free: elephantjournal.com/retreat to join Waylon Lewis for an hour of live community and conversation.
Some of the mindful articles referenced in this podcast:
- 10 Salves for a Broken Heart: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/08/to-love-is-to-hurt-10-salves-for-a-broken-heart/
- How to Meditate: The Dathun Letter via Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/05/elebuddhadharma-the-dathun-letter-via-chogyam-trungpa-rinpoche/
- Elephant's Mindful Advice on Coronavirus: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/03/elephants-mindful-advice-on-coronavirus-waylon/
- 30 Sweet, Weird, Mindful Little Things to Do while Sheltering in Place: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/03/elephants-covid-care-package-30-of-our-favorite-fun-sweet-weird-shelter-in-place-ideas-take-one-a-day/
- Read why you're Basically Good: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/02/basic-goodness-is-our-human-nature-chogyam-trungpa/
If you're inspired to join this community with mentors and myself and our curriculum, and join the Elephant Academy community, it's more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now. And, a reminder: the discount below won't last. It's break-even for us to be able to pay our team, which they deserve. So jump in, and enjoy Elephant Academy at well off what it's ever been offered. I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code: WRITINGCLUB at elephantjournal.com/writingclub
Dear Mindful Community,
Thanks, you, for joining. May we use that hour to invest in good loneliness, ugly letting go, less busyness and laziness, and, yes: love in service.
Don't forget to read my favorite poem—it's timely, now. 👉https://elejrnl.com?p=233043
We'll do it again next Friday, and if it continues to be inspiring and fun and if you invite one loved one, and it continues to grow and be of service, we'll continue to offer this part of Elephant Academy, free. ~ Waylon
~
If you're inspired to join this community with mentors and myself and our curriculum, and join the Elephant Academy community, it's more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now.
I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code: WRITINGCLUB at elephantjournal.com/writingclub
Articles & videos referenced in the podcast:
Join us this Friday: elephantjournal.com/retreat
If you're just joining us, you can catch-up and watch the events from Week 1, Week 2, & Week 3 right here: https://elejrnl.com?p=2489984
Busyness is Laziness. https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/dr-reggie-ray-busy-ness-is-laziness/
Maitri.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/maitri/
Quote of the Day: Teddy Roosevelt. https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/06/quote-of-the-day-teddy-roosevelt/
“I would like to love you, but I do not know you, and I value space more than even love, for in space we can play. “ ~ Waylon Lewis, Things I would like to do with You.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/07/things-i-would-like-to-do-with-you-in-the-woods/
Best Buddhist Books for Beginners with Simple Meditation Instruction.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/08/best-buddhist-books-for-beginners-with-simple-meditation-instruction/
6 Secrets to Supercharge Your Immune System.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/10/6-secrets-to-supercharge-your-immune-system/
10 Simple Ways to Boost your Immunity without Leaving the House.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/03/10-simple-ways-to-boost-your-immunity-without-leaving-the-house/
A Positivity Manifesto.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/10/a-positivity-manifesto/
Imagine if every time you Googled for anything the World got a Little Better.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/05/imagine-every-time-googled-for-anything-the-world-got-a-little-better/
“Dear Elephant, if you keep doing this BS I will unfollow.” My response. ~ Waylon
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/02/dear-elephant-if-you-keep-doing-this-bs-i-will-unfollow-my-response-waylon/
Letting Go Sucks.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/letting-go/
How to Meditate: The Dathun Letter, via Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/05/elebuddhadharma-the-dathun-letter-via-chogyam-trungpa-rinpoche/
The Buddhist View of Loneliness as a Good Thing.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/02/chogyam-trungpa-rinpoche-pema-chodron-the-buddhist-view-of-loneliness-as-a-good-thing/
What will we learn from this Coronavirus Quarantine? Anything? ~ Brandilyn Tebo with Waylon Lewis
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/04/what-will-we-learn-from-this-coronavirus-quarantine-anything-brandilyn-tebo-with-waylon-lewis/
My favorite poem.
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/10/my-favorite-poem/
Write your Heart, Serve our World.
As part of Elephant's (free) Community Retreat, Waylon talks about the Ideas of Love vs. Moments of Love, & the Four Kinds of Love...Inspired to join us for two more Fridays? Go to elephantjournal.com/retreat to join these Elephant trainings, free.
Dear Mindful Community,
Thanks, you, for joining. Nearly 4,000 of you, from all over our globe...offering up your specificity, your voice, your cathartic empathy and active, not passive love in service.
We'll do it again next Friday, and the Friday after that, and if it continues to be inspiring and fun and Four Kinds of Loveful for you all, maybe we'll continue. ~ Waylon Lewis
~
If you're inspired to join this community with mentors and myself and our curriculum, and join the Elephant Academy community, it's more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now.
I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code: WRITINGCLUB at elephantjournal.com/writingclub
Everyone's suddenly doing webinars. We're spending more time online than ever. But if all we do during this Coronavirus time is find a new way to create busy, we'll have lost this once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect through boredom and busyness into our hearts, into active empathy, active love, into making a real change. You can do it.
Thank you for joining—from all over the world! That was so joyful to see and feel. Hope you found joy in this community, in the meditation and tonglen. ~ Waylon Lewis
In that spirit, next Friday's contemplative Writing exercise is not about more. It's about heart, community, joy. Now is the time for our world to connect, gather, and figure a way forward, together, so we can live every day from our good heart. We'll also answer your questions.
If you didn't make it live this time, join us next Friday at 11 a.m. MT: elephantjournal.com/retreat
If you're inspired to go all the way, and join the Elephant Academy community and get all the lessons therein, it's far more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now.
I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code: WRITINGCLUB
60% off Elephant Academy, here: elephantjournal.com/writingclub
In honor of this strange worldwide moment, when many of us are socially distanced (you better be), we're offering a free, introvert-friendly community gathering every Friday. You can view after the fact if the time doesn’t work for you. Feels like a good time for community. We'll do a brief meditation exercise, a longer community talk/Q&A, and a brief find-your-voice/write-your-heart-out exercise.
4 Fridays, for 1 month.
Go to elephantjournal.com/retreat to join.
"There are going to be people and families—there already are—who are in desperate, desperate straits. And it's easy to judge other people until we feel it and we actually are brave enough to look at them. So it's not macho to go out and buy guns right now. It's macho to help a food pantry. It's macho to help our fellow citizens. It's macho to take care of yourself. That is true strength." ~ Waylon Lewis Read Waylon's article
Loving-kindness—for oneself…it’s truly tough stuff. A mindful diet does not include dieting. It includes to be in harmony with our body, speech, and mind. Here are 11 tips for loving yourself. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Learning to Make Friends with Ourselves: Pema Chodron video on Maitri.
Is Cleansing the New Bulimia?
Organic. Local. Cheaper Than Walmart.
Loving-kindness—for oneself...isn’t lovey-dovey hippie-dippie. It’s truly tough stuff, and affirmations and The Secret and money and popularity and fun won’t do it. Here's how to be Happy from a Buddhist Perspective with Waylon Lewis. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Mark Hyman, MD, is the Head of Strategy and Innovation for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, and founder and director of The UltraWellness Center. Dr. Hyman believes that food has the power to change our most important global issues – transforming individual, environmental, economic, societal, and global health, and everything in between. For Dr. Hyman's new book, Food Fix, go to foodfixbook.com. For more of Dr. Hyman's Elephant Journal articles, click here.
Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
According to Parker Palmer, there are two ways our heart can break. It can shatter into a million pieces or it can break open into greater capacity. Waylon talks with Parker about how we can make our hearts supple enough to handle that big break. Parker and Waylon also discussed how to make our lives simple without taking ourselves too seriously. We can start by examining the interaction between what’s within us and what’s outside of us—How can we make choices that are more life giving than death dealing?
Finding Balance in Today's Crazy World. A conversation with Joanna Macy. "The ones with a broken heart are the most interesting. When your heart breaks, that's what allows the love to come through strong." ~ Joanna Macy Bio: Joanna Macy is a big deal. A sweetie. And works and plays for a better planet... joannamacy.net. Activism isn't fighting for or against something: it's borne of love, it's working against us vs. them-ism and aggression itself. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm.
How you start the first 10 minutes of your day does more than any other 10 minutes of your day to orient your life toward true joy or mindfulness. Here's a few life lessons on how to start your morning. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, we are excited to bring you a preview of the audiobook version of Things I Would like to Do with You. For the full book, go to elephantjournal.com/shop or search Things I Would like to Do with You, wherever you get your audiobooks. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, we are excited to bring you the first ever preview of the audiobook of Things I Would like to Do with You. For the full book, go to elephantjournal.com/shop or search Things I Would like to Do with You, wherever you get your audiobooks. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
The Future of Yoga…or Lack Thereof. Instagram wholly has captured the attention and focus of every young yoga teacher—that’s where they blog, that’s where they post photos, that’s where they post captions. All of the great yoga teachers that are retiring now or in 10 years are basically unknown. In one generation, we have lost decades and decades of learning and study. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis had the pleasure of being interviewed by Namaste Jenay, a Certified Thought-Coach, Certified Transformational Life Coach, 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher, and Mindfulness Expert, for her podcast, The Soulpreneur Show. Waylon dives into his journey as a mindful entrepreneur and gives some of his best tips and tricks on how to start a mindful business. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Connect with Jenay:
The Soulpreneur Show: https://programs.namastejenay.com/podcast
Namaste Jenay Website: https://programs.namastejenay.com/home
Namaste Jenay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namastejenay/
Cheerful New Year from Waylon Lewis! In this episode, Waylon discusses what New Year's Resolutions often lack. Willpower breaks, falters in the warm trance of the present moment "maybe I'll just eat that entire cake." Motivation comes from empathy, from appreciation, and from the feeling that we can be of benefit. "What is one thing I feel compassion about?" Ask yourself, "What is one thing I'm grateful for?" Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Waylon sat down with the founders of Pride Pads, an organization dedication to providing biodegradable sanitary pads, menstrual health education and livelihood empowerment for girls and women in Africa. If inspired to help this organization supply pads and education to women in Africa, please consider donating to the cause! $12 will supply pads to one girl for an entire year, $24 will supply a girl pads for her entire high school (2 years) experience. Featured in this podcast: Waylon Lewis, Stephanie Carter, Mary F. Shackelton, and Dr. Ajume H. Wingo. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Everything we love is getting gutted because we are dependent on viral. We can’t tackle climate change if we don’t believe in it. We can’t defend democracy if we don’t value it. We can’t disagree respectfully if we can’t identify basic facts. We can’t fight prejudice if hate is more popular than love. We have to talk about the boring—but beautiful and wonderful things—that aren't getting talked about on Instagram.
Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Use code ELE30 at kleankanteen.com for 30% off one order. Make your to-go forever eco-responsible, support Klean (a B Corp & 1% for the Planet company).
Waylon Lewis sat down with the founder of Shaman Sisters, Rebecca Keating, and learned how we can use eco and labor-responsibly sourced gems and crystals to set intentions and stay committed to our intentions throughout 2020. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
We all get 20% off using code elephant20 at shamansisters.com for gifts for self or other!
How can we make Holidays special again? The solution is not convenient—it's slowing down, being present, shopping locally from local crafts people. There’s a six-foot-five 85-year-old man who is madly in love with wood, and makes bowls and Christmas ornaments. He inspires me. I can’t tell you when, if ever, Jeff Bezos inspired me. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Use code ELE30 at kleankanteen.com for 30% off one order. Make your to-go forever eco-responsible, support Klean (a B Corp & 1% for the Planet company).
“This is about changing somebody’s life, helping them sleep, and doing some good in the world.” ~ Nicole Slinger
@waylonlewis sat down with @luftbeds VP, Nicole Slinger, for a conversation about how to achieve better sleep.
@luftbeds is giving away two free beds, one adult and one child, to a deserving Elephant Journal viewer or listener. You have from now until Tuesday, December 3, to leave a comment on their article “10 Bio-Hacks for Better Sleep,” on elephantjournal.com and share why you could really use a new mattress! Two recipients will be picked Tuesday evening! To find the article, search the title on elephantjournal.com. #mindfulsponsor Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Waylon Lewis explores making friends with how we "should not" feel. There is something in fear we are inherently not ready for and we have to explore that—as Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Chaos should be regarded as extremely good news.” Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Use code ELE30 at kleankanteen.com for 30% off one order. Make your to-go forever eco-responsible, support Klean (a B Corp & 1% for the Planet company).
Always late for things? Waylon Lewis, founder and CEO of Elephant Journal is. In this episode, Waylon discusses how he has come to terms with being a chronically late person and how he embraces the struggles that come along with this trait. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Thank you to our episode sponsor, @kleankanteen for supporting our podcast and helping us bring the mindful life to people around the world. Use code ELE30 at kleankanteen.com for 30% off one order. Make your to-go forever eco-responsible, support Klean (a B Corp & 1% for the Planet company) and support Elephant at the same time.
We have to examine our assumptions about shaming. Next time someone shames you, try to feel it first, then thoughtfully take responsibility, respond, and don’t villainize the other person. Let’s all try to be more mindful in our lives and listen. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon discusses what we should do if the world is going to hell. “There’s no difference between a pessimist who says, ‘It’s all over, don’t bother trying to do anything, forget about voting, it won’t make a difference,’ and an optimist who says, ‘Relax, everything is going to turn out fine.’ Either way the results are the same. Nothing gets done.” ~ Yvon Chouinard. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Seane Corn has long been a mentor, friend, and troublemaker—a yogi as self-critical, loving—in my world. Here's our video conversation, about her new book, Revolution of the Soul. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon responds to a question from the audience: “I’m 40, childless, not making $$$. I feel like a failure sometimes.” Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Thank you to our mindful sponsor, Klean Kanteen.
When life gets a little crazy and meditation and mindfulness and yoga and all the wellness foods aren't cutting it, what do we do? What would Buddhist say about that? Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Thank you to our mindful sponsor, Klean Kanteen.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis talks with CEO and founder of Earth Hero, Ryan Lewis, about conscious consumerism—why it matters, how to become a conscious consumer, and examples of everyday products made with the environment and our well being in mind.
If inspired by the products you heard about in this podcast, check out Earth Hero's website at earthhero.com and use the code Elephant15 at checkout to get 15% off your purchase.
Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
“Idiot compassion is the highly conceptualized idea that you want to do good….But that doesn’t mean to say that you have to be gentle all the time.
Your gentleness should have heart, strength. In order that your compassion doesn’t become idiot compassion, you have to use your intelligence. Otherwise, there could be self-indulgence of thinking that you are creating a compassionate situation when in fact you are feeding the other person’s aggression. If you go to a shop and the shopkeeper cheats you and you go back and let him cheat you again, that doesn’t seem to be a very healthy thing to do for others.” ~ Chogyam Trungpa
Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Waylon responds to a listener's question: “What would the Buddha say about when to fight? I don't want to be a pushover but I don't want to spend a second of my life fighting. I wonder, if at times, I have a responsibility to fight to ensure other people aren’t mistreated. I don’t want to fight for myself, but should I fight for others? When should I go to battle and when should I let it go?” Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Waylon talks with dancer Marlo Fisken re: her experience with Jeffrey Epstein, Sexual Assault awareness, #MeToo. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr..Waylon answers a question from a listener: "How can we love people who are so evil?" Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Waylon answers questions from the audience—how do you know if you should stay or leave a relationship? How do you handle conflict in a relationship? How do you decide if your relationship needs fixing or if you should just leave it? Do the annoying little habits your partner has really matter? Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Grief. We all experience it. From a Buddhist perspective, the good news about grief is that we can all let go of it. The bad news is that letting go is hard, and letting go of something or someone we hold very dear to our hearts can be insulting to our egos. But enlightenment is just that—the ultimate insult to the ego. So, we learn to let go and the way to let go is to remember that we are okay. Nothing is fundamentally wrong with us. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon explores the notion that being vegan is something that is only possible for privileged folk, or folk who want to be distinguished and distinctive. Waylon dives into why he is vegan and common misconceptions surrounding a plant-based lifestyle, such as how expensive it is. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
“Remember: the warrior—a peaceful person who is dedicating her or his life to the benefit of all—should always be a little broken-hearted. Broken-heartedness is not something that we are trying to get away from. We want to be broken-hearted all the time, because that leads to empathy. And empathy leads to catharsis. And catharsis leads to joy—genuine joy. Joy is another way of saying love. We cannot experience genuine joy or love if our heart is not open.” ~ Waylon Lewis Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
“From a serious point of view, it is incredibly helpful to be told not to start the entrepreneurial path. If you refuse to stop after hearing everything you are about to hear, then you should proceed.” ~ Waylon Lewis. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon dives into how we can approach having difficult conversations with the people we care most about and why being able to have these difficult conversations is crucial to our overall well being. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Waylon Lewis celebrated is 45th birthday on July 16th! In honor of doing so, Waylon reflected on aging—the good and the bad of the inevitable process. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon describes the two qualities of genuine love: warmth & independence. Waylon explains the importance of balance between these qualities and how we can create that balance in our relationships. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
This week, we are releasing a bonus episode of The Mindful Life podcast in honor of Elephant Journal's brand new Elephant Academy Course: How to Write, Sell, & Publish the Hell out of your Book {eco-responsibly}. In this episode, Waylon shares what you can expect from this course, the mindset required to fulfill the dream of writing a book, and how this path of publishing will allow you to make a living off of writing. If you're inspired, go to elephantjournal.com/indiebook to check it out! Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon shares his personal tips for more meaningful, present, eco-friendly travel. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon addresses the popular notion that individual actions do not matter in the grand scheme of climate change because corporations are by far the largest contributor to the problem. Waylon highlights that our behaviors drive corporations to make the decisions they do and that it takes altering our daily habits to create real change—which takes a lot of bravery on our part. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
During the era of "self-help" we would be pressed to go a day without being told to "get out of your comfort zone!" In this episode, Waylon discusses just when we should get out of our comfort zones and when we should stay in them. Waylon dives into Buddhist Lojong Mind Training and the idea that we should always trust the principle one first and not to be so predictable. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon presents three everyday life challenges that will help slow you down, bring you back to the present moment, and enjoy your life more each day. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon explores jealousy—where it comes from, why we feel it, and what we can do about it. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
The one simple thing you can always do if things are tough in your relationship. It works every time. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thank you to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
In this episode, Waylon discusses the two kinds of love—the kitchen sink sort of love and the lustful, passionate, honeymoon phase sort of love—and how they relate to the significance and purpose of a relationship from a Buddhist perspective. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thank you to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
In this episode, Waylon delves into what advice we should give to those who ask us,"What should I do?" Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thank you to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
In this episode, Waylon shares three things he wishes he had known when he was 22. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thanks to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
If you are frustrated by everyone on TV and social media viewing you as a market or are overwhelmed by the constant flow of fake/bad news and want to take a social media detox—this is for you. Waylon discusses how and why to transform our entertainment and news intake so that we can remain engaged in what is happening in the world, while honoring our mental health. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thanks to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
In this episode, Waylon explores how addictive aloneness can be, why that is, and how that can make it difficult for a chronically single soul to navigate being in a relationship. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thanks to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
In this episode, Waylon explores the Buddhist notion of judgment—discriminating awareness, or prajna, giving insight on what to accept and what to reject—and how we can use this insight to create clarity in our lives. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Thank you to our ethical sponsor: Aspiration.
In this episode, Waylon discusses how to spot a fundamentally good, genuine person and what to watch out for; and why someone in every relationship has to do this one simple thing. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Check out the video of this episode at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
In this episode, Waylon challenges the notion that we have to identify as "introverts" or "extroverts" and discusses what it means to be both. "Whatever our nature, the trick is to examine our own experience deeply and sincerely with an eye toward being of benefit." ~ Waylon Lewis. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Check out the video of this episode at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
Elephant was honored to host Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche at Camp Elephant, our HQ in Boulder, Colorado. We discussed how and why to meditate. Rinpoche offered how meditation applies to life—with all its ups and downs by leading us through a practice. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
The next time you fear you should be smaller, safer, or less shiny—listen to this podcast. In this episode, Waylon discusses the difference between arrogance, false humility, and genuine humility and what we lose when we shrink ourselves just to get along. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
How to work through burn-out when we’re down. Watch video of recording here. “Ideas & inspirations are lost when we’re burnt out.” ~ Waylon Lewis. Listed as explicit for sexual language. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
Craftsmanship, plastic, PVC, bleach, preservatives, Amazon, local, composting—oh my! Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
Elephant Academy presents Tyler Knott Gregson with Waylon Lewis: The craft of Writing on Instagram. In this episode, listeners get an insider's perspective on what it is like to be part of Elephant Journal's Elephant Academy. For more like this: elephantjournal.com/academy. To find Tyler Knott Gregson's work or to get his new book, check out his website or Instagram. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
“This is about simply facing the music. Looking the man or women in the mirror—feel your own heart and remember to get present in a practical way and stop running away. Then we can be of benefit to this world.” ~ Waylon Lewis. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis discusses Carpe Diem or the Buddhist Four Reminders: Death comes without Warning. This body will be a corpse. This Precious Human Life is but a Bubble. Seize the day. Rejoice and be of benefit. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis explains that Buddhism is a non-Theistic religion and how this Buddhist idea is applicable in the world of social media, influencers, Hollywood stars and fame. Waylon shares his everyday wisdom on how, instead of idolizing others, we can retain our critical intelligence, trust the principal one, and look for satisfaction inside of our own heart instead of outside of it. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
When we feel bad, we tend to do things that make us feel worse. In this episode, Waylon Lewis discusses the phenomenon of making a bad situation worse by doing things that perpetuate the cycle—and what we can do to counteract this. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Watch the recording at youtube.com/elephantjournal.
Why progressives and Trump fans alike need a soft middle. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis shares everyday wisdom on how to have a fun, sexy, heartfelt, genuine, mutual experience when making love. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon discusses Maitri: the art of developing an unconditional friendliness toward every part of our sweet selves—the tired, the mending, the broken, the wonderful, the always-changing. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis sits down with Dr. Judith Orloff to discuss empathy, empaths, and how we can use our sensitivities to benefit this world. This episode was originally recorded in 2017 on Facebook Live. Book:The Empath's Survival Guide. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon Lewis talks about becoming okay with our aloneness and boredom and how these qualities can foster a truly loving relationship. Article:Valentine's Day isn't for Lovers. Book: Things I would like to do with You. Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.
In this episode, Waylon discusses what meditation is, what led him to start meditating, what keeps him going—and he guides us in a short meditation.
“I can take a good posture, bow in respect and friendliness to my world, and offer myself and my world a reminder through meditation practice that we’re fundamentally good, and we can be of service to this society, to our community, to ourselves, to this planet, and that the present moment is right here.” ~ Waylon Lewis
Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live during our Walk the Talk Shows.
Mindfulness 101: Here is everything Waylon feels is most helpful for you and your life, just in case he gets run over by a truck. "Mindfulness isn’t for gurus on snowy mountaintops. Mindfulness is for everyday chaos, not churches or solemn meditation halls. Mindfulness is about practicing to be present, for this life, for others."
Relephant Articles: I'm an A*hole when I don't meditate in the Morning & Best Buddhist Books for Beginners.
Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live during our Walk the Talk Shows.
In this laughter-filled episode, Waylon is joined by dancing goddess and beautiful (inside & out) human, Melissa Moffet. Melissa is a writer, dancer, meditator, yogi, teacher, vegan, environmental engineer who owns her own business. Waylon and Melissa discuss their experiences with dating mindfully—which includes everything from humor, autonomy, getting to the level of farting around each other, to breaking up.
To connect with Melissa, you can find her at www.melissamoffet.com or on Instagram at @melissa.moffet
NYT: 36 Questions That Lead to Love.
Relephant Articles: Carpe Diem. The Buddhist Four Reminders.
Produced By: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live during our Walk the Talk Shows.
This is our trailer for The Mindful Life with Waylon Lewis, a new weekly podcast from the good folks behind Elephant Journal.The Mindful Life is about walking our talk—every day, in every moment. It ain’t about being perfect. Waylon Lewis, founder of Elephant Journal, talks about everyday Buddhism, meditation, eco-actions large and small, and features conversations with leading mindful thought leaders, both famous and overlooked.
Music by Adam Agee, recorded live during our Walk the Talk Shows.
For more bits of daily wisdom from Waylon Lewis and Elephant Journal, visit elephantjournal.com.