Life is the Practice

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In healing ourselves, we begin to heal the world. But what is the path to get there? This episode of Life is The Practice, the last of the season, focuses on the foundational role of forgiveness – what it takes, why it’s so hard, and how we can learn to manage through our fears. My goal is to help you identify and get beyond the egoic mind, the resentments it perpetuates, and negative thought patterns that keep us stuck in a scarcity mindset. You’ll hear from two of my clients whose experiences have been very different but who share a common – and liberating – understanding of the human vulnerabilities that drive us to harm ourselves and others. We witness what it is to accept our truest selves, shedding recrimination through self-awareness and healthy boundaries. Learn about some of the practices you can use to find forgiveness, not through blind surrender but through a powerful commitment to consciousness, humility, and grace. In the words of the celebrated Russian author Leo Tolstoy: “To understand everything is to forgive everything.” And in that forgiving, we find freedom. Welcome to The Practice!

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Further information, sources, and special thanks:

Life is the Practice, Episode 5: The Ego: Taming the Inner Critic.
Life is the Practice, Episode 9: Conscious Relationships.
Get The Practice online for free at this link.
"Perdonar" by Juan Manzanera.
Quran recitation provided by quran.com.
"The Force of Forgiveness" Rabbi Sacks.
"The story of Joseph and the purposes of God for the sick." Dominican Healthcare Ministry.
“The Story of Prophet Yusuf” — A tale of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption in Islamic scripture. Muhammad Ahmad via Medium.
Special thanks to Wynn, the kid reading Mark Twain’s quote at the end of the episode.

FOLLOW JUAN & LIFE IS THE PRACTICE:

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What is the greatest gift we can give our most intimate partners in life? Staying present. In this episode of Life is the Practice I am explaining, very simply, why it’s so important to be mindful in our relationships. Consciousness brings us a sense of purpose and peace not only individually but also within the context of our identity as a couple. You’ll learn on this episode about techniques for bringing awareness as well as steps to help you observe and discharge egoic patterns. We’ll also hear from Krista and Phil Franks, co-founders of the lifestyle design company Owl & Key. We’ve worked together over the past couple of years to integrate the practice into their daily lives – with transformational results! You will get a window into some of the stumbling blocks couples commonly face as well as the benefits a daily meditation practice can yield: Abundance rather than scarcity; connection rather than alienation from one another. It’s all about giving ourselves and our partners the space to identify negative patterns of thought and navigate towards a beautiful place of conscious alignment – a bedrock for fulfillment individually, as a couple and in relationship to our global community.

Are you longing to live in a place of inner peace, abundance, and confidence? Had enough of self-doubt, fear, and a nagging scarcity mindset? Then I invite you to explore my online course. It integrates all the teachings I use in my 1:1 coaching practice and the wisdom I've acquired over 25 years of mindfulness and research. Welcome!

You might also enjoy visiting my website, where you can sign up for my free newsletter, find complimentary guided meditations and listen to all my podcast episodes.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

"The Presence Process," by Michael Brown.
To learn more about the go, listen to Episode 5, “Taming the Inner Critic” at this link.
Learn more about Krista and Phil’s lifestyle design company, Owl & Key.
Juan’s guided meditations can be found here.

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Being and Doing. Do you think of these as separate states, mutually exclusive or even in conflict with one another? In this episode of Life is the Practice I am breaking down what it looks like to weave presence into our everyday lives. In the car. At the dinner table. Standing in line at the grocery store. There are simple ways to bring mindfulness and – when our minds stray – to guide ourselves back. In the present moment, we cultivate awareness and peace. The alternative? Letting our minds wander to random thoughts – which often deliver feelings of anxiety and fear about the future or regret about the past. We are exploring in this episode the possibility of using meditation to cultivate presence, inner presence and alignment while also functioning, as most of us must, among the noisy realities, goals and obstacles of everyday life. You will come away with resources to get started understanding how and when to integrate present moment consciousness – and why this is to our benefit, individually and globally.

Are you longing to live in a place of inner peace, abundance, and confidence? Had enough of self-doubt, fear and a nagging scarcity mindset? Then I invite you to explore my online course. It integrates all the teachings I use in my 1:1 coaching practice and the wisdom I've acquired over 25 years of mindfulness and research. Welcome!

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Anxiety is woven into so much of contemporary life, driving all kinds of behaviors that neither serve nor center us. This episode of Life is the Practice focuses on an alternative path to sustainable well-being – one I have myself traveled. I am eager to share what I have learned about locating – and holding onto – our core “selves” even when we feel overwhelmed or unable to control the swirl of modern life. We are looking at the sources of anxiety as well as meditation and other techniques we can use to organically heal this pervasive chronic condition. My client, Molly Rampe, founder and CEO of Choice Network, also joins us to reflect on the sense of clarity she has cultivated through her commitment to The Practice. You’ll come away with strategies to manage the persistent negativism in which our Egoic State often dwells, including what it means to recognize and observe patterns of thought that erode our sense of freedom and trap us in a scarcity mindset. We are all on a journey to surrender, stay present, embrace trust rather than fear and live in abiding peace. When we develop self-awareness we find we can rest in our essential natures and live in abundance. Welcome to the practice!

Are you longing to live in a place of inner peace and confidence? Had enough self-doubt and fear? Then I invite you to explore my online course. It integrates all the teachings I use in my 1:1 coaching practice and the wisdom I've acquired over 25 years of mindfulness and research.

Learn about the Taming in the Inner Critic: Episode 5 about the Egoic State.

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One of the many wondrous things about children is their ability to open us up to new ways of thinking and being. They invite us as parents to be fully present, letting go of egoic patterns and beliefs that do not serve. This episode of Life is the Practice responds to questions frequently asked by clients who have little ones: Are there tools I can use to embody The Practice and share the power of mindfulness with them? In this episode, we are looking at ways to bring awareness, detach from negative emotions, and model as parents what it looks like to be fully conscious. You will also learn how to minimize projections and give your children the space to be themselves fully. It is possible to teach those we love – at any age – what it is to nurture our essential identities and bring a deep authenticity to our relationships and the world. Tools readily available to all of us can bring a profound and a lasting sense of purpose and peace to even the most mundane, everyday tasks of ordinary life. And that, my friends, is a healing way of being in the world that will echo through our children into our communities and the world.

Are you longing to live in a place of inner peace, abundance, and confidence? Had enough of self-doubt, fear, and a nagging scarcity mindset? Then I invite you to explore my online course. It integrates all the teachings I use in my 1:1 coaching practice and the wisdom I’ve acquired over 25 years of mindfulness and research. Welcome!

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If you have wondered what that inner voice is – the one that is self-critical, wounding or full of doubt – we are taking a closer look on this episode of Life is the Practice. Known as “the Egoic State,” the noisy, negative chatter so many of us carry within us as we move through daily life has the power to erode not only our inner peace but to destabilize and create meanness in the world at large. If only, like the plants and animals around us, we were able to naturally inhabit the planet from a place of oneness! Well, my friends, that is the goal of this closer look at what it means to move towards mindfulness. We look at the ego, where it resides and how it hobbles our ability to live an abundant life. My goal is to help bring awareness and provide you with some basic tools to begin the work of taming that inner critic – recognizing and stepping away from what is known as the Egoic State. I invite you to join me in moving from a place of scarcity towards nourishment and unconditional light. All that you need resides within you!

You might also enjoy visiting my website, where you can sign up for my free newsletter, find complimentary guided meditations and listen to all my podcast episodes.

Juan’s Inner Presence Meditation can be found here.

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And so, my friends, we have come to one of the more practical aspects of creating a mindful, peaceful, and purposeful life: How to build a meditation practice. On this fourth episode of Life is the Practice, we explore the essential elements of a daily meditation routine. We’ll discuss creating a comfortable, safe space to practice and what sort of seated posture might work best for you. Most importantly, you’ll learn about the importance of committing to consistency and understanding that the journey itself is your destination. I will also share some common stumbling blocks, strategies to avoid them, and tips for practicing even when the brain wants to lead you astray. Perhaps you have a headache or very little time left in your day. Maybe your mind doesn’t want to settle down, or your dog is barking outside. Still, you can do it. Your meditation need not be perfect. It needs to be whatever it’s meant to be – without judgment. So join us. We are all finding our way forward together on this path called life!

You might also enjoy visiting my website, where you can sign up for my free newsletter, find complimentary guided meditations and listen to all my podcast episodes.

FURTHER RESOURCES:

This video explains how to sit for meditation, both in a chair and on a cushion.
Juan’s guided meditations can be found here.
If you’d like a free downloadable schedule, click The Practice Mediation Schedules.
More about “altruistic intention” is covered in Episode 02 of this podcast.

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What exactly is this thing, the here and now? We know it has something to do with being present to our lives, but why is it a desirable place to be – and so hard to find? I myself had those same questions when I came to my practice so many years ago now. Our brains can be very uncooperative! They like us to be distracted constantly with thinking, thinking, thinking. But with awareness and discipline, we can align with something different. When we locate the “off” button inside our busy heads, our inner lights – body, mind, and essence – can truly shine.

This episode of Life is a Practice takes us into why it’s important to meditate and the mechanics of getting to that place of stillness. It’s not easy. We all find ourselves distracted again and again. And that is okay. It’s just part of the practice. Keep exercising that muscle, and it will build and strengthen, just like when we go to the gym and work out regularly. Join me in exploring what it means to integrate mindfulness throughout the day, even when our sneaky egos whisper, “Not now. We have other important things to think about and do!” Choose to turn instead to your body, your breath. You will come away refreshed at every level of your being – and bring that positive energy and clarity to a wider world much in need of exactly that!

You might also enjoy visiting my website, where you can sign up for my free newsletter, find complimentary guided meditations and listen to all my podcast episodes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Presence – or what some call present moment awareness – is the embodiment of our ability to observe life as it unfolds.
Sound can be a creative and effective tool for focusing attention.
Thinking is the opposite of being present.
Staying present is important because it:

Frees us from the drone of mental chatter.

It offers other possibilities of being at different levels.

Elevates the quality of everything we do.

Increases our vibrancy and engagement with life.

Four steps to a focused breathing meditation:

I: Set an altruistic intention.

II: Take deep, slow breaths to oxygenate the brain. Focus on the exhale to connect with the present moment.

III: Bring attention to your body.

IV: Return yourself to the present moment gently, again and again.

Meeting repeated distractions while meditating is normal and to be expected!
Building a meditation muscle is much like building muscle at the gym: The routine must be maintained and performed regularly!
We do not have to be thinking all the time to function competently in life.
Create systematic reminders so your “sneaky ego” doesn’t divert you!
Integrate your meditation practice throughout the day. Don’t isolate it to one narrow time and location.
You can find Juan’s free guided meditations to get started right away.

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Juan’s guided meditations can be found here.

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To bring consistency and meaning to our practices, we must start with a single question: Why am I doing this? In this episode of Life Is The Practice, I am asking you to wonder about the motivation behind our desire to be mindful. I’ll also share some very simple – but powerful – ways to push back against self-defeating, self-serving thoughts by cultivating “altruistic intention.” Getting stuck in an “egoic state” is a common and fundamental human problem – as well as a source of endlessly unfulfilled desire and suffering. But there is another way: Look to the service of others! It’s my pleasure to walk you through the definition of altruistic intention and how to integrate it into our hearts and minds with transformational results!

You will meet both a student and a mentor of mine, each of whom is sharing their individual journey to embracing an altruistic orientation and some of the specific thoughts they used to get there. I’ll also reveal some tricks our minds can play and strategies – small steps we can easily take – to get our practices back on track. Finally, this episode offers basic, effective ways to quiet the mind and stay centered on compassion, gratitude, and altruistic intention. Little by little, it becomes not only an important thing. It becomes the only thing!

You might also enjoy visiting my website, where you can sign up for my free newsletter, find complimentary guided meditations and listen to all my podcast episodes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Negative thoughts, self-doubt, and anxiety are inevitable. But we can push back!
How to trade “egoic motivation” for “altruistic intention.”
Why we must break free of mental and emotional patterns that constrict our hearts.
Defining and developing your practice in service to the happiness of others.
How altruistic intention colors every aspect of our lives.
Tips for weaving gratitude- and compassion-based meditation techniques into everyday life with powerful results.
Here is an example to help focus our intention, and Juan’s free guided meditations can be found at this link.

QUOTABLE:

“Plain and simple, when we make the benefit of others the purpose of our work, the practice yields better results. We evolve faster, with fewer difficulties and more grace.”
“To be of service, we need to break free from these limitations and develop the abilities and skills that allow us to embody our best selves. Only then can we uplift others.”
“The challenge is that as humans we aren’t naturally altruistic, or motivated by serving the good of others. We have to work on it ... bring intention.”
“My theory is altruistic intention. That's why I'm lucky. Not because I'm more clever or because of some magical thing. Oh, how lucky. No! It's the altruistic intention. See, when you practice that, when you are like that in the world, things happen well.” (Juan’s meditation teacher, Juan Manzanera)

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Welcome to our inaugural episode of Life is the Practice, a voyage into mindfulness and the power of staying present in our lives. I hope you’ll consider me a companion or teacher, or guide as we explore the techniques I’ve developed over 25 years as an executive coach and meditation teacher dedicated to bringing purpose and peace to our everyday experience.

You are, without a doubt, ready to embark on this journey if you:

Would like to be a better parent or partner
Are ready to break free from unwanted habits and get over the burden of the past.
Would like to develop a healthier relationship with money or food.
Desire to lead with compassion.

When we create inner space and take responsibility, we’re opening up the doors to a life meaningfully lived. Our relationship with the world and the people around us improves as we come to live in a place of alignment. How do you locate this sense of fullness, joyful presence and unconditional peace?

To get us started, on this episode I introduce you to:

The fundamental pillars underpinning the spirit of my practice.
My program’s three key elements:

Meditation.

Active practice.

Processing of negative emotional charge.

We are at the gateway to transformation. By improving the quality of our daily lives, we improve the quality of experience for everyone else. We have it within us to create a kinder, healthier planet. It all starts with the decision to take back our personal power and commit to becoming the change we seek. We are creating a conscious reunion with life!

Keep practicing, Friends. Our new world is in your hands.

Are you longing to live in a place of inner peace, abundance, and confidence? Had enough of self-doubt, fear, and a nagging scarcity mindset? Then I invite you to explore my online course. It integrates all the teachings I use in my 1:1 coaching practice and the wisdom I’ve acquired over 25 years of mindfulness and research. Welcome!

You might also enjoy visiting my website to get on my newsletter and listen to all the podcast episodes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Juan opens the episode by highlighting what we can expect to learn about his Life is the Practice program.
About the internal mode of operating Juan identifies as the “egoic state,” an identification of self that is defined by the mind and often associated with fear, scarcity, insecurity and dissatisfaction.
About what Juan’s practice embodies: Combining traditional mindfulness practices with hands-on professional and personal experience.
Breaking down the three words that define Juan’s work:

Present: An increased awareness of the present moment through our ability to observe our experience as it is unfolding; to be here and to know it.

Peaceful: A return to our natural state, when we have stopped resisting our experience in the present moment and choose instead to surrender, trust and align ourselves with life.

Purposeful: Discovering the meaning of life that occurs when we relate to others from an internal position of love and unity instead of fear and separation; honoring what we share with others as well as what makes us unique.

Juan outlines the three key elements (meditation, active practice and emotional processing) that make up his process; techniques that bring awareness to and acceptance of our mental, emotional and physical states.

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Have you lost touch with the treasure of life within you? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Noise, distraction, and conflict conspire daily to separate us from our essence. That’s why I’m offering Life is the Practice, a podcast designed to lead you to a more present, peaceful, purposeful state of being. With each upcoming episode, I’ll share the program I’ve developed while working with clients and students.

Based on two decades of research and experience as an executive coach and meditation teacher, my tools are simple, effective, and accessible. Together we will make the journey step by step towards a mindfulness practice that integrates easily into your daily life – and ripples out to the broader world in powerfully positive ways.

Accumulating too much information can sometimes be a trap, which is why my program of gentle exercises is based on simple and enduring truths that I’ve uncovered over a lifetime of practice. Among other things, you’ll learn how to:

Increase focus and productivity.
Be present and confident in life.
Respond consciously and calmly to challenging situations.
Make decisions with peace and confidence.
Reduce mind chatter and negative self-talk.
Live with inner peace, abundance, and freedom.
Effectively process negative emotions, restoring inner balance.
Make peace with the past, healing old wounds.
Align with your inner guidance, unlocking a sense of purpose in life.
Bring your best self to personal and professional relationships.

Without any fuss or fanfare, we can all open ourselves to everyday spirituality by letting what I call “wisdom in motion” reveal the truth of who we are. Please join me if you’re a busy parent, an overwhelmed college student, a stressed-out entrepreneur, or at a quieter, perhaps transitional point in life. Reconnect with yourself. It’s not about knowing lots of things. It’s about doingthings differently. Small things, things that honor your commitment to self.

Life is the practice, a gateway to the perfection that resides within us all.

Are you longing to live in a place of inner peace, abundance, and confidence? Had enough of self-doubt, fear, and a nagging scarcity mindset? Then I invite you to explore my online course. It integrates all the teachings I use in my 1:1 coaching practice and the wisdom I’ve acquired over 25 years of mindfulness and research. Welcome!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Future podcasts will:

Explain how to practice meditation.
Review different techniques.
Offer strategies for integrating mindfulness into everyday aspects of life.

We’ll also address topics like:

The connection between our practice and productivity.
Whether being present can improve our financial life and health.
Why mindfulness enhances our relationship with ourselves and others.
How meditation supports better leadership and citizenship.
Living in a deeply present way is a goal attainable to all of us. It starts with a first step.

FOLLOW JUAN & LIFE IS THE PRACTICE:

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Life is the Practice: Recent Episodes

Juan Alvarez