Meditation

October 22, 2013

The Present Moment

by Judith Bobbe, LCSW

The Present Moment.

This is the moment of being alive right now, not the past or the future, the point of our greatest power to live fully and happily. Every moment is a chance to open to life.

The subject of “Mindfulness” is everywhere today.  It is discussed in an ever- increasing number of places, from corporate retreats, to technology seminars, to yoga studios, to schools. Mindfulness is a practice of being open to what is happening without judgment, just being in touch with “what is”, and allowing it to be.

Whenever you look at the sky, or the changing leaves, or watch the wind in the trees, you are immersed in an experience of the present.  Total immersion in the process of nature, without judgment, analysis, or trying to figure anything out, is a form of mindful presence with the world. The simplicity, and, the vitality of these ways of interacting with the world, is often overlooked.

The same can be said of the breath.  One does not have to feel calm, in order to practice breath awareness.  The simple action of watching the inhale and exhale, how the energy of breath moves in the body, creates a new perspective on being alive, which deepens your connection with the present moment.

Your awareness is the container of your experience. Your awareness of the vitality of the life within you grows.

What is the purpose of all this? It is to enjoy being alive, to feel nourished and sustained by the positive forces of life that are always there inside of you.

If you feel you cannot calm down, or stop negative thoughts and feelings, you will be helped by mindfulness practice. The purpose of mindfulness practice is that you become joined with a deeper experience of who you are. You become deeply nourished by the light of life inside you. It then becomes easier to let go of negative patterns of thought and feeling, to let go of self- judgment. Optimism and confidence grow effortlessly. It becomes easier to be patient and persistent through difficulties.

Consistent practice changes your expectation of how well you can deal with challenges in your life. Mindfulness practice strengthens and increases motivation for positive change.

The effects of normal every- day stress are tolerated with greater ease. When the more challenging stresses of big life changes occur, these transitions can be navigated with clearer vision and a deeper connection with your real inner strength.

Mindfulness practice can be done in many different ways,  and I am here to help you to find the one that is best for you.

for More see my website

http://www.personal-discovery-chicago.com

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October 21, 2013

Listening to Your Inner Voice

by Judith Bobbe, LCSW

The best way to fight anxiety, depression, and feeling stuck in non-productive habits, is to do any practice which helps you to listen to your own intuition. When people suffer from anxiety and depression and feel that they cannot make desired changes, they often have a shaky connection with their own intuition.  Years of frustration can dim the connection with one’s own inner voice. There is a voice there, which is not listened to, and it is forgotten. Habits take over and people identify with their habits.

Our own voice inside is that which tells us what we really need, not what our habits tell us we want.  There are many simple practices which can help anyone to be more in touch with their own innate wisdom and strength.  Accessing this source is simple yet profound.  With repetition, it becomes easier to learn how to listen to that part of you which knows what you need to do, in order to change, that part of you which wants to be healthier, stronger and happier.

There is an innate stillness, which can be accessed, without being a yogi or meditator. I teach simple skills which can enrich your life, if you want to be guided into a change process which will lift you out of being stuck with who you think you have to be.

Life experiences teach us who we think we are, but our experience of ourselves can be changed, through accessing, and through listening to, our own intuition.

 

for more see my website:

http://www.personal-discovery-chicago.com

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Meditation and Mindfulness Practices
Psychotherapy for Depression, Anxiety, Substance Abuse and Relationship Issues
 

 

October 11, 2013

Using Skills for Building Inner Strength

USING TOOLS FOR BUILDING INNER STRENGTH

by Judith Bobbe, L.C.S.W.

When I work with people in therapy I introduce skills which they can use at home, in order to build confidence, strength and resiliency.

I never know for sure which tools will click with a person, so I am patient and persistent in offering as many as possible, so that maybe a practice will develop for the person at home. If one thing doesn’t work, I offer another.

When people start to practice breathing, meditation, yoga nidra or any form of inner reflection process, they invariably get better faster. Just taking the few minutes to turn inward with a process which is positive, is so refreshing. People need to feel that they can manage themselves and their own emotions and the skill building is very empowering in this process.

I am very encouraging and believe in your capacity for change. No one wants to be stuck, its just a matter of finding how to get unstuck. I am an expert at this and am very proactive in ensuring that you can find ways to get better.

for more see my website: http://www.personal-discovery-chicago.com