From Sarah McLean, McLean Meditation Institute

Summer 2012

Hello!

Since the last newsletter, we've undergone some changes at the Sedona Meditation Training Company. First, we've change our name to the McLean Meditation Institute for Transformative Meditation Training (MMI for short.)

We've also added a new dimension to what we do. We now train meditation teachers! It all started when the New York Times called me to do a story on meditation, and then asked, "Where can people go to learn to meditate in New York and across the country if they can't get to Sedona?" Yes, there are some terrific teachers in the U.S., and yet, none that I could think of that transcended particular religious paths or offered a variety of techniques.

That's why I've developed the MMI Meditation Teacher Certification Program - to do just that. And anyone who enrolls in it will find how it truly deepens their meditation practice. Find out how you can become a meditation teacher here.

Feel free to share this issue of Inward Bound with your friends by using the link on the bottom of this newsletter. I hope to meditate with you sometime very soon!

Sarah

Sarah McLean, Director
The McLean Meditation Institute

(928) 204-0067

www.McLeanMeditation.com

I just harvested the peaches in my backyard

Moment by Moment
The practice of mindfulness

What are you doing right now? Probably sitting down reading this. But what else are you doing? Thinking? Eating? Listening to music? Spending time with your family? Planning the rest of your day?

What if you paid full attention to one thing at a time? Fully engaging your senses without judgment. You can do it now:

Bring your attention to the way your body feels in the chair. Feel the support. Feel your feet as they rest on the floor. Now, bring your attention to the sounds in your environment at this moment, notice as they come and go. Now, move your awareness to the way your breath feels as you naturally exhale and inhale. This is the simple practice of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is about fully being engaged with your attention - a gentle non-judgmental awareness - in the present moment, on purpose, to what you are doing as you are doing it. Being mindful is just what it sounds like.

Let your mind be full with what you are doing as you do it, all day long. This takes practice.

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing one's awareness back (from thoughts of the past or the future or distraction of any kind) into the present moment. It isn't that you want to forget about the past or future, it's more about bringing a balance to your awareness, so you spend most of your time where you actually are. Most people spend only a little time right here and right now.

This practice trains your brain to be where you are. It's a great place to be since this is the time and place where you live your life. You're not breathing in the past or the future, you're breathing now. You don't feel sensations in your body in the past or future, you feel them now. Emotions too. And any spiritual connection is experienced in the present moment. Future, past, they don't really exist except in your mind.

This moment is the only real thing. Tomorrow, or the next moment, will be experienced in what we call the here and now. When? Now. Where? Here.

Mindfulness can be practiced formally as a meditation, and can also be practiced while you are engaged in activity, at any time in almost any situation. You can be mindful of the sensations in your feet while walking or the feeling of warm soapy water on your hands while doing dishes. Simply notice all sensations while witnessing the mind's usual judgments and continual commentary. This helps the mind's ability to stay in the present moment.

Have you ever sat down to lunch only to talk about what will be happening for dinner?

Or, have you ever sat down to eat a meal and suddenly looked down and your food was gone, and you didn't remember eating the whole thing? Mindfulness is the opposite of mindlessness.

When you eat without awareness, you may in theory know you are eating, but your mind might be somewhere else. You might be thinking about other things or be watching TV, talking, or reading - or all of those. So a very small part of your awareness is absorbed with eating, and perhaps you are only barely aware of the physical sensations and even less aware of your thoughts and emotions. We can even miss the whole experience. And the same can be true for any activity we are engaged in.

Let's look at the practice of eating mindfully - you can do this at your next meal, or do it as you snack on a peach, a piece of chocolate, or even a raisin. Kids love it!

Sit down and become purposefully aware of the process of eating. Deliberately notice the way your body is positioned, the sensations in your body, and the mind and body's responses to those sensations. Relax your body and breathe normally, don't hold your breath.

Hold the item in your hand and before you take your first bite and notice all the sensations: See the food, notice the texture, the shadow, the light, the color; as you hold the food, notice the temperature, the texture, the weight. Resist the urge to label anything, simply pay attention to what is really going on rather than your ideas or judgments about it.

As you mindfully bring the food up to your nose, be present for the aroma, and when you feel ready, take a small bite of food. Chew, but resist the urge to swallow right away. Really taste the food. Hear the food as you chew.Notice the texture in your mouth. You might notice the mind wandering, and when it does, without judgment, purposefully and gently bring your attention back to the mindful eating practice. Continue until you are finished and then sit quietly for a few minutes. Notice how you feel. What if you ate your meals in this fashion?

Studies have shown that people tend to eat more when they are given larger portions and are distracted.

Why would someone want to practice mindfulness?

You become more self-aware,
You trust yourself more and accept yourself more,
Your appreciation of life is enhanced,
You are able to be more serene in the face of difficulties
Your stress decreases along with a variety of stress-related physical symptoms, including chronic pain
There are significant decreases in anxiety and depression
Your clarity, concentration, and creativity improves,
Your immune system functioning is enhanced,
You are more accepting attitude toward life and its challenges.

Now who wouldn't want that?

You can read more about Mindful Eating and other meditation and meditative practices in my best-selling book: Soul-Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation.

Need to update your self-care, body image, or health regimen?

Join the 7-day 'Slim and Sexy Spiritual Detox' tele-series designed to give your body, mind, and soul what it really needs for weight loss, spiritual growth, and soul transformation. It all starts August 13 - 17.

one of the week's presenters, Sarah McLean, will focus on the heart. It is wise, intuitive, inclusive, compassionate, peaceful, grateful, and loving. So are you. Perhaps you don't always feel that way or feel connected to your heart. During this session, you'll start where you are - amid any and all the challenges, distress, or fears you face - and discover how to tap into your heart center. When you awaken to your heart's wisdom you can profoundly transform your life. It's fr*e. Sign up now.

Come to the Creative Field Conference
September 13-16 in Loveland, Colorado. It's an inspiring conference on the Power of Inner Peace bridging science and spirituality. Engage with inspired visionaries Sarah McLean, Steven Sadleir, David Darling, Dr. Bob Whitehouse, Dr Claude Swanson, and David Karchere. Call 970-670-0811 www.TheCreativeField.org.

Celebrate Your Life, a transformative weekend event on November , in Sedona! Join Colette Baron-Reid, Marianne Williamson, Michael Beckwith, Jill Bolte-Taylor, Neale Donald Walsch and so many other fabulous speakers during this wonderful weekend. Sarah McLean leads the morning meditations each day. Find out more here.

A Soul-Centered Moment

From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only "Peace Pilgrim" walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace.

She vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."

In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world.

"We people of the world need to find ways to get to know one another - for then we will recognize that our likenesses are so much greater than our differences, however great our differences may seem. Every cell, every human being, is of equal importance and has work to do in this world."

SOUL RADIANCE RETREAT

with Sarah McLean October 6-8

The Soul Radiance Retreat is the perfect way to relax, rejuvenate and awaken your soul-connection. Join us for a powerful meditation, yoga and self-discovery retreat with Sarah McLean & friends. $445 early registration. Held at the Sedona Rouge Resort. Visit www.RadianceRetreat.com for more information or call 928-204-0067.

MEDITATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Learn to teach meditation! The 140-hour Home-Study Course begins this fall with the virtual classroom beginning in January. The certification 40-hour Residential Training is in Sedona, Arizona, April 21 - 27, 2013. Other dates are available in the fall of 2013. Applications, curriculum, and program information are available here.

MEDITATION CLASSES with Sarah McLean

Is it time you learned to meditate? Whether you're a beginner who's never meditated before, or are a lapsed meditator who wants to jumpstart your practice, the Simple Easy, Every Day Meditation Program is for you. Find out more!

Semi-private classes available from $165 per person. Get your online sign up form here or call 928.204.0067 to register:

Saturday, September 29, 10:00 - 12:30 pm, at the Meditation Casita in Sedona, AZ

Sunday, September 30, 1:00 - 3:30 pm at Storm Wisdom, 3375 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix, AZ

BOOKSIGNINGS & EVENTS

with Sarah McLean

Tuesday, August 14, Listen!

Unity Radio

1:00 pm PT/3:00 pm ET, Spiritual Coaching-Creating A Vibrant Life on Unity Radio with Rev. Carla McClellan of Unity Village. Listen live here or check out the archived show.

August 13 - 17, Listen!

Slim & Sexy Spiritual Detox Teleseminar

Sarah McLean is one of the presenters for this 7-day tele-series designed to give your body, mind, and soul what they need for weight loss, spiritual growth, and transformation. Join the program. It's free!

August 17-19, Sedona, AZ!

LGBT Mind, Body & Spirit: Empowering Our Community Conference

Sarah McLean leads the morning meditation on Sunday. 33 wonderful presenters will be a part of this inaugural event. Held at the Sedona Creative Life Center. Visit this link for more information.

September 2, Listen!

Deep Talk Radio with Vasavi Kumar

9:00 am PT/12:00 ET, Check out the deep talk with coach and radio host Vasavi Kuma.

Listen Live here, or check out the archive.

Saturday, September 8, Phoenix AZ

Spirit Spectacular at the Unity Phoenix.

Join Sarah McLean and other dynamic speakers including Robert MacPhee, Kristi Staab, and Howard Falco for an inspiring day-long event 8:15 am-6:15 pm, 1500 E Greenway Parkway, Phoenix. $75 - $100. Call 602.978.3337 to register, or visit this link.

September 13 - 16, Loveland, CO

The Creative Field Conference - Power of Inner Peace

An inspiring conference bridging science and spirituality. Engage with inspired visionaries to explore the union of science and spirituality, Sarah McLean, Steven Sadleir, David Darling, Dr. Bob Whitehouse, Dr Claude Swanson, and David Karchere. Call 970-670-0811 or visit www.TheCreativeField.org.

Thursday, September 20, Mtn View, CA

Living a Soul-Centered Life Workshop

7:30 pm-9:00 pm at East West Bookstore, 324 Castro St., Mountain View. Call 650-988-9800 or visit www.eastwest.com. No charge.

Friday, September 21, Berkeley, CA

Introduction to Meditation

7:00 pm at The Launching Pad - Center for Spiritual Living, 2649 Russell St., Berkeley. Call 206-409-2440. No charge.

Saturday, September 22, Berkeley, CA

Meditation for a Soul-Centered Life

10:00-12:00 pm at The Launching Pad - Center for Spiritual Living, 2649 Russell Street, Berkeley. Call 206-409-2440. $20.

Saturday, September 22, Corte Madera, CA

Living a Soul-Centered Life Workshop

3:00 pm at the Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. Call 415-927-0960 or visit www.bookpassage.com. $30.

Sunday, September 23, San Francisco, CA

Living a Soul-Centered Life Workshop

1:00 pm at the Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco, 2690 Ocean at 19th Avenue, San Francisco. Call (415) 566-4122 or visit www.UnitySF.org. $25.

Saturday, September 29, Sedona, AZ

Simple, Easy, Every Day Meditation

10:00 am - 12:30 pm class at the meditation studio in Sedona. $165 per person. Get your online sign up form here or call 928.204.0067 to register.

Sunday, September 30, Phoenix AZ

Simple, Easy, Every Day Meditation

1:00 - 3:30 pm class at Storm Wisdom, 3375 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix. $165 per person. Get your online sign up form here or call 928.204.0067 to register.

Wednesday, October 17, Cottonwood, AZ

Meditation & Forgiveness

Join forgiveness teacher Lori Rubenstein and meditation expert Sarah McLean and discover important tools to transform your life: Held 5:30-7:00 pm, at The Cottonwood Recreation Center, 150 S. 6th Street, Cottonwood. To register email lorirubenstein@gmail.com or call 928.634-0252. $10.

October 26-28, Pasadena, CA

I Can Do It! Conference

Hay House Weekend for Your Soul with Louise L. Hay, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Doreen Virtue, Geneen Roth, Richard Moss, Sarah McLean, Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, Sonia Choquette, Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D., Kris Carr, Gregg Braden, Eldon Taylor, Reid Tracy, Alex Woodard, Deborah King, Brian L. Weiss, M.D., John Holland, Robert Holden, Ph.D., Jean Haner, Donna Gates, Debbie Ford, Ken Druck, Ph.D,. Joe Dispenza, D.C., and Denise Linn in Pasadena. Find out more here.

Thursday, November 1, San Diego, CA

Living a Soul-Centered Life with Meditation 6:30-9:00 pm, at the Unity Center of San Diego, 8999 Activity Rd., San Diego. Call 858-689-6500 or register online here. $25.

November 8 - 11, Sedona, AZ
Celebrate Your Life Spiritual Pilgrimage
Join a powerful weekend with Sarah McLean, Michael Beckwith, Iyanla Vanzant, Doreen Virtue, Sonia Choquestt, Denise Linn, Neale Donald Walsch, Sunny Dawn Johnson, Caroline Sutherland, and other dynamic presenters at the world-class Enchantment Resort. Call 877-300-7352 or click here for more information. Space is limited.

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