Become a Meditation Teacher!
The McLean Meditation Institute Teacher Academy offers a Certification Program: a 200-hour professional training in the theory, science, and practice of meditation. It begins with a self-paced distance learning program followed by an 8-day Intensive in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Upcoming Intensives are held in January, April, and July of 2015. The program is led by world-class experts in meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and earth wisdom. Admissions are rolling, so apply anytime to get started right away.
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Upcoming Meditation Events with
Sarah McLean
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Listen to my interview where I share the keys to meditation and self-love. I'll be joined by thought-leaders and celebrities including Debra Poneman, Marci Shimoff, John Gray (Men Are From Mars, anyone?), and Alison Armstrong! It's free!
Sign up to listen now.
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 October 19-23 | |
Mii amo Spa
Enchantment Resort
Sedona, AZ
Sarah McLean facilitates this intimate retreat to discover your true essence and the peace accessible in any moment; fall in love with yourself and your inner landscape; and discover how to live with gratitude and confidence/ See yourself through loving eyes. Call 928.203.8500
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 December 11-14 | |
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 Beyond the Neon December 20-21 Las Vegas, NV
Beyond the Neon, Ignite Your Light! Join the 2nd annual Winter Celebration & Expo. With amazing speakers and events, including meditation with Sarah McLean. Benefiting the homeless teens of Southern Nevada. Held at the Alexis Park Resort. $5 at the door! Find out more, email them!
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December 31-January 1
Be The Peace New Year's Eve Retreat
Creative Life Center Chapel, Sedona, AZ
Be the peace you want to see in the world. Bring in the new year with deep meditation and mystical music with Sarah McLean and Ani Williams. Enjoy the timeless even as the year changes. $75 early registration. Limited to 30 people. Find out more here, or call (928) 204-0067.
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January 4-7
Satori Spa Retreat
Sanctuary Resort, AZ
Take a time out for mindfulness, meditation, spa treatments, yoga, and pampering at the Sanctuary Spa & Resort on Camelback Mountain, one of Travel & Leisure's World's Best Resorts. Sarah McLean leads this intimate, luxurious meditation retreat. Find out more about this immersion here
or call (480) 624-8513
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Join a Meditation at
McLean Meditation Institute in Sedona
Want to experience meditation and get your questions about meditation answered? Whether you're new to meditation or already have an ongoing practice, you'll love what's going on at t he McLean Meditation Institute, 411 State Route 179 in Sedona. Find us on Mapquest. No need to preregister.Sundays 2:00-2:45 pm
Guided Meditation with Sarah McLean & expert meditation mentors. $5
Sundays 4:00-4:45 pm
Silent Meditation with expert meditation mentors. $5
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9:00-9:45 am Silent Meditation. Free.
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30-6:15 pm Silent Meditation. Free.
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Meditate
By Sandi Wilson (a student at MMI!)
I journey into the silence, the desire to meditate.
The soul must come forth, my senses evaluate.
My mind wants to take over, my higher-self mediates.
Go within, clear your thoughts, let go, don't hesitate.
Be free, breath in and out; allow spirit to navigate.
Step aside and bring calmness. No need to dictate.
Regain awareness through the quiet, as the one within illuminates.
Alas the time is up, the bell rings, your eyes reactivate.
Feeling centered and grounded, now aligned to appreciate.
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I've just returned from Scotland, England, and Ireland. In Cork, Ireland, I was invited to speak on meditation for a fundraiser for The Hope Foundation (a project which serves street kids in Calcutta, for which I am now an ambassador!) Then led a Soul Radiance Meditation retreat in an old Abbey outside of Oxford, England. It was exciting and was the first time I've led a meditation retreat in Europe. (I've already made plans to go back to Ireland to lead a meditation retreat in mid-June 2015!)
It's so clear to me.....people everywhere are committing to a daily mediation practice and are engaging in more service to fellow beings. It certainly seems possible that together we can truly make the world a more peaceful place.
I came home and continued my journey.... as I was invited to lead the Satori retreat at the Sanctuary Resort & Spa at one of their most beautiful properties. On the last day, we were talking about taking home the peace and transformation we shared there. I suggested the practice of deep listening. You can read about Literal Listening, on the Chopra Center website, it's an article I wrote about being present and listening deeply. It's true, we can sometimes fail to hear what others are actually saying to us, but, when we become more aware of the way we listen, we can train our attention to stay present (meditation is a great way to do that!), improve our relationships, and create more peace.
Let's meditate together soon! Find out how you can learn to meditate here.
With peace and love,
Sarah McLean, Executive Director
411 SR 179
Sedona, Arizona
(928) 204-0067 Call me!
P.S. Do email me your questions about meditation at info@McLeanMeditation.com--and put "Ask Sarah" in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you and supporting your practice.
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 Love Thy Neighbor
The Golden Rule and variations on that theme have been around since ancient times, from Babylon and Egypt, to ancient Greece and China. It's found in the Bible, the Torah, and in ancient Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Jain texts.
The Golden Rule and the Love thy Neighbor commandment ask each of us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We are to love each other as we love ourselves.
Let's look at this commandment more closely. Love thy neighbor as thyself. How do you love yourself? It's a question that you can live with, walk with, and explore.
Do you ignore yourself, do you stop listening to your inner knowing, do you stop caring for yourself physically? Yes, it's important to be kind and generous. Even in the yoga tradition, there's a path called karma yoga, a path of action and service. It's said that it can even lead one to enlightenment.
But why is it that flight attendants have to remind us that if an emergency situation arises, we need to put our own oxygen mask on before we help others? Could it be that we forget to take care of ourselves in the name of service?
Some people report they come last on the list of responsibilities, after work, kids, mates, housework, parents, and the like. Read on..... and experience a Loving Kindness Meditation.
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 10 Great Practices to Live Stress-Free
Stressed out? Probably. It's a reality that most of us face. Some people say financial concerns cause stress. Others say their stress comes from a family situation. Many people find their jobs are the primary cause of stress. The source of stress is different for each of us....whether you have too many things to do and not enough time to do them, or don't give yourself the time to eat properly, or you have difficult relationships at home or at work.
Though each one of us face different stressors, the effects of stress are what we have in common. Stress, sometimes called the silent killer, has been blamed for all kinds of illnesses and disease: high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, and anxiety to name a few. And we want to avoid those.
Here's a list of tips for how to live stress free, enhance your self-awareness, and take better care of yourself every day.
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Start Your Day with an Intention: When you get up, or when you arrive at work, set an intention for the day. Decide what you want to experience more of. Stick a post-it to your commuter to remind you what to pay attention to during the day. Maybe you want to see more kindness, efficiency, wisdom, inspiration, creativity, or awareness. You always will find what you are looking for so pay attention to what that is and anchor your awareness again and again to what really matters to you.
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Reconnect with Your Body. Get in the habit of asking yourself, How do I feel right now? Notice and give yourself some slow deep breaths. The body and breath anchor you to the present moment (unlike the mind which often dwells in the past or future). Relax your body, whether sitting or standing. Feel your feet on the floor. Notice your weight and balance; relax your arms and hands. Straighten your spine. Relax your shoulders. Relax your face, your eyes, your jaw, your forehead. Pay attention to your body and breath at least three times a day.
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Take a Time out for a Time In: Sit in silence and meditate for 20 minutes each day. (All at once or two periods of 10 minutes each.) Get your power back and "re-source" your energy. Simply sit down, close your eyes, and as you breathe through your nose gently focus on the natural sensations of your breath. Don't try too hard. Don't worry about your thoughts. If you get distracted, refocus. Be kind to yourself. The stress will dissipate. Don't wait for something magical to happen, instead, just do it. Come out slowly and you'll feel happier, more creative, and fulfilled.
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Be Here Now: Your life is taking place one moment at a time. So it's ideal to have your attention on this moment right now. This is where your life is. This moment, like all present moments, is when you have access to your creativity, inspiration, possibilities, even your inner wisdom and your emotions. When you notice you are focused on or worrying about the future more often than you are paying attention to the present moment, bring your attention back to the present moment by paying attention to your body or your breath. Read the other 6 practices..... here
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Time to Meditate! 
Develop an unshakable sense of peace - no matter what is going on in the world "out there." Learn to meditate with the Simple, Easy, Every Day Meditation method: an effective, natural practice which will help you live a more creative, fulfilling, and happy life. Half-day classes are held regularly at the McLean Meditation Center in Sedona, Arizona. Upcoming dates are: October 11, and November 8. For the most current schedule check the calendar online.
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 Ask Sarah
"
I've been meditating for 2 years and seem to have made little progress in my anxiety relief. I seem to do well in meditation, but when it's over I'm back to worry and negativity."
~ Frank
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Dear Frank,
You may be trying too hard. Have you read the 5 Essentials of Meditation? There's one about letting go of expectations.
Do you know that when you feel anxious, it's a clue that your attention is focused in the future? Anxiety is the stress response of a mind that is attaching to the story of the future, which has not yet arrived. It's possible that through mindfulness practices, while in activity, you can bring your attention right back here. Whether that means to pay attention to your body as you sit and read your email, or feel your breath and gently close your eyes. It helps you to connect to this moment.
This moment is where there is safety, and it is where your life is actually happening. With your attention in the moment, you have an opportunity to pay attention to clues in your environment, as well as to tune in and use your internal guidance system to navigate life's many choices and decisions. Don't keep your focus on the future waiting for something to happen, because that will actually keep you in perpetual wishing, longing, and ultimately suffering when things don't go as you planned. Instead, practice accepting what is right now. You will only realize your desires have been made manifest in a present moment such as this.
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If you're new to meditation or are looking for tips toenhance your meditation practice, send your questions about meditation to me Sarah@McLeanMeditation.com. Put "Ask Sarah" in the subject line. I'll answer you privately and perhaps your question will be featured in an upcoming issue.
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If You've Read This Far....
I
'd like to invite you to join me for a free conversation about meditation
on Saturday, October 25th.
Kelly Lydic interviews me and we engage in a conversation about meditation, love, and the power of attention. It's a live call about meditation, what makes it practice so important, and how to focus energy with intention. We'll also discuss spiritual themes and what it means to be fully present to love and to life.
The call will begin at October 25, at 11:00 am PST and will end at noon.
Get your free access by dialing 712-432-0900
Guest access code: 956729
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