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Greetings
Fall Song
Another year gone, leaving everywhere
its rich spiced residues: vines, leaves,
the uneaten fruits crumbling damply
in the shadows, unmattering back
from the particular island
of this summer, this NOW, that now is nowhere
except underfoot, moldering
in that black subterranean castle
of unobservable mysteries - roots and sealed seeds
and the wanderings of water. This
I try to remember when time's measure
painfully chafes, for instance when autumn
flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing
to stay - how everything lives, shifting
from one bright vision to another, forever
in these momentary pastures.
~Mary Oliver
New England comes alive in the autumn. It is a time of year filled with scents and sounds, textures and sights that seem to fill each breath. I bought our first-of-the-season cider this week, locally made at a nearby orchard. Each year this simple task is a harbinger that fall has really started. The mulling spices come out of the pantry and the scent of hot mulled cider permeates the house. Mary Oliver speaks of autumn's boisterous flare, how can we not notice? Leaves beginning to fall to the earth like yellow, orange, red confetti, the sun a bit lower in the sky casting a golden glow in the afternoon, pumpkins beginning to grace front steps, geese flying in formation overhead. What an incredible finale nature gives us as it prepares to take its activities underground for the winter. Can we be present and grateful enough to give her a resounding standing ovation for this magnificent performance?
Wishing each of you an autumn filled with mindfulness, Pam |
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ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?
Stress Resources has an active Facebook Page with frequent links to articles, research and events related to resiliency, mindfulness and stress management.
"LIKE US" today!
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Meditation Maintenance
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 Meditation Maintenance Sessions are a great way to give yourself a monthly self-care "tune-up" by joining with fellow meditators to discuss insights and challenges of your practice. You are welcome to attend each month or simply on an occasional basis. You will find a supportive and welcoming respite in the midst of your busyness.
Fall Schedule
Evening sessions meet from 7-9 PM
Wed, Oct 12
Wed, Nov 9
Wed, Dec 14
Daytime sessions meet 12:30-2:30
Fri, Oct 14
Fri, Nov 11
Fri, Dec 9
Both evening and daytime sessions are held at Stress Resources' office (97 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA). Please pre-register for sessions as space is limited.
Meditation Maintenance sessions are $15 per session. Register by e-mail or by phone (978-369-5243).
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Pam Ressler
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I invite you to read AND comment on my blog. I write reflections and post links to articles of interest on the intersecting topic areas of resiliency, healthcare, stress management, mindfulness, and life!
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Stress Resources and Pam Ressler are on TWITTER
Follow @pamressler
and @stressresources
for updated resources and links to relevant healthcare articles and research
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Stress Resources is on YouTube
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 Check out the new Stress Resources Channel on YouTube.com You will find a collection of clips, dialogs, and lectures from some of the world's foremost teachers of mindfulness, compassionate communication, stress reduction and relaxation methods...and some videos that I just plain like! This will be an evolving and expanding collection, so be sure to check in often by clicking this link and subscribing to the Stress Resources Channel (it's free!)
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Flexible MBSR...Works with even the most unpredictable schedule!
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- Do you have an unpredictable schedule that doesn't allow for a commitment to an every week group class?
- Have you heard about the new research on the health benefits of mindfulness and are curious to find out how you can benefit?
- Are you interested in exploring how to add mindfulness practices into your busy life?
- Could you use some gentle guidance and coaching in establishing,renewing or maintaining a mindfulness practice?
- Do you live too far from Concord, MA to attend on-site classes?
Stress Resources will help you craft a mindfulness practice that makes sense for you. We can arrange in-office or real-time interactive web instruction anywhere in the world through Skype webcam connection!
Flexible MBSR/Private and Semi-Private Mindfulness Training: This unique option offered by Stress Resources allows the individual to set the pace for training but maintains the essential framework of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in private or semi-private sessions. The individual mindfulness training option allows your MBSR training to take place over 8-12 weeks at your own pace and schedule. Four individual sessions (1-hour each) are scheduled at the participant's convenience with morning, afternoon and evening sessions available. Additional training sessions may be added as needed for an additional fee and a Blue Cross/Blue Shield discount is available. Train with a friend for added savings.
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Creating a Mindful Society
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"Inhale beauty, exhale goodwill" ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
Creating a Mindful Society was held in New York City on September 30 and October 1. Over 500 attended in person and several thousand tuned in virtually through online live streaming of the conference.
Keynote speakers included Jon Kabat-Zinn (Center for Mindfulness-UMass), Richard Davidson (Center for Investigating Healthy Minds-UWisconsin) Janice Marturano (Institute for Mindful Leadership), and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio).
Do you wish you had been able to attend? Good news,the entire conference was recorded is available online free of charge until November 2 by clicking here. This site does require registration, but you may unsubscribe at anytime.
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Creating Connection through Patient Blogging
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|  As some of you know, I have been researching the phenomenon of communicating the experience of illness through blogs by those living with chronic illness or pain. I find it fascinating that perhaps we can harness some of the positive aspects of social media, one being connection, to benefit those living with isolating chronic illness and pain. Recently, my Tufts University School of Medicine colleague, Lisa Gualtieri, and I have been asked to present some of the preliminary research findings at national conferences. In September, I presented Communicating the Experience of Chronic Illness through Patient Blogs at the Medicine 2.0 conference held at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. If you are interested in taking a look at the slides for Medicine 2.0, click here |
Exploring the Grace Cathedral Labyrinths in San Francisco
| | While on the west coast in September, I took the opportunity to explore the incredible labyrinths (both indoor and outdoor) at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. For many years I have admired the work of Lauren Artress, who was one of the early pioneers of the labyrinth movement in the United States. She was the guiding force behind the installation of both of the labyrinths on site at Grace Cathedral. The popular sand labyrinth (a lap labyrinth with a removable plastic insert) was also Lauren Artress' creation.
The two labyrinths at Grace Cathedral are designed in the medieval eleven-circuit pattern, often called the Chartres labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral in France. The labyrinth inlaid in the floor of Chartres was installed in 1201, and is now the only original medieval labyrinth remaining in Europe. The indoor labyrinth at Grace Cathedral began as a floor tapestry in 1994 and because of the heavy use by walkers was replaced with a permanent, inlaid limestone labyrinth in 2007.
 | | Indoor Labyrinth at Grace Cathedral |
The outdoor labyrinth at Grace Cathedral is nestled in a meditative garden with a magnificent view of San Francisco from its perch on top of Nob Hill. It is the centerpiece of the city garden surrounded by perennial plantings. It was installed in 1995 and is constructed of terrazzo.
 | | Outdoor Labyrinth at Grace Cathedral |
Stress Resources' will be offering a daylong labyrinth workshop next summer...exploring New England labyrinths. Stay tuned for more information in the upcoming months.
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Sleep Workshop at Emerson Hospital
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My colleague, Catherine Collins, RN, MS, C.H.E.S. will be presenting Sleep 101 at Emerson Hospital's Health and Wellness Center in Concord, MA on Oct 17 from 7-9 PM with Emerson Hospital neurologist, Dr. Gary Stanton. They will be discussing both medical and alternative interventions for achieving a more restful night's sleep. You can register for this event through Emerson Hospital at 978-287-3777.
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Opening the Door to Meditation | | |
Thanks for your positive feedback and support of Opening the Door to Meditation...we are on the second run of the CD!
"Opening the Door to Meditation has become my favorite "GO TO" CD for my daily meditation. I love the 20 minute version with the guitar, and I have not missed a day now for the longest time."
"I hope Opening the Door to Meditation will find its way to people new to meditation (and those of us who've gotten sidetracked...). The music is great, and I think many people would enjoy it, whether new to meditation or not."
How can you order Opening the  Door to Meditation? - Stress Resources' secure online shopping cart by clicking here
- Downloadable mail-in order form by clicking here
- Amazon.com and entering "opening the door to meditation" in the search box
Do you already have a copy of Opening the Door to Meditation? First, thank you for purchasing a copy and secondly, we would love to hear your comments! You can post them directly on the Stress Resources Facebook Page  or to the Amazon.com review area. |
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