One reason we might meditate is to free ourselves. Free ourselves from habits, beliefs, loops of the mind, memories, emotional patterns, and even physical imbalances. We can look at this search for freedom in different ways. Spiritual traditions, religions, philosophy, and science have all explored that search for freedom. Let's look at science for a moment. I want to quote Dan Siegel from his book IntraConnected: “In the fields of mathematics and physics, the pursuit of understanding the...

Last week I talked about the Healthy Mind Platter, by Dan Siegel, the seven kinds of daily activities that support a healthy and balanced mind. There is focus time, when we concentrate and do one thing without multitasking. There is time in, when we turn inward through meditation, mindful movement, or reflection. There is down time, when we are awake but not planning, accomplishing, or trying to get anywhere. There is physical activity, sleep, play, and connection. All seven matter. And...

We are familiar with the phrase, “We are what we eat.” And in one sense, this is certainly true. Our body receives its fuel and building material from what we put into it. Food is transformed into energy, blood, tissue, and bone. This body is continuously rebuilt from what we take in. Last night, while eating a garden-fresh dinner, I was contemplating this. I thought, yes, I am what I eat. But clearly, that is not all I am. And then another sentence came to me: I am what I think. We may be...