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@Elyon--Yeah, I know, I've got strange and unpredictable hours. There's a chance I might be able to get free at 6, but I'd be there late--so it's best not to count on me--will make it 6:30 if I can!

Sounds really good--I work until 7:30 so I can't make it. I'm interested because I'm thinking about re-focusing my entire psych practice toward Ecopsychology and writing--so it sounds like your book group would be perfect. (Would be nice if you could have one around 2 or 3 in the afternoonat Hot Wire Shoreline! Maybe I'll have to put one together sometime).

Great post, and timely. Thanks! My concern, as an RC (with a Master's degree), is about finding available coursework to fulfill the requirements in a timely manner. I am taking CEs in assessement, risk management and ethics right now, but will this count? Also, I take other CEs, just for the info. I had supervision in Seattle, but am moving to a different area (north) and am having trouble finding a licensed supervisor--won't this create a shortage in their availability? Does the state have a plan to meet the needs of the flood of RCs looking for supervision and coursework to meet the new credential requirements? Again, thanks for this great post--I'm headed to your website now!

Great tips! Thanks for the info. Can you recommend anyone who tutors people in how to do blogs? Thx, L

If I am understanding you correctly, the group process of communication you describe doesn't seem applicable to this format--I think there's sort of a basic assumption that comments on articles are fairly haphazard and only bound by the most basic rules of courtesy (sometimes not even those). The sort of process you describe works well when you have a group already committed to your topic--so I'm a little confused about what sort of application you are seeking. Do you have a blog?

I've often struggled with this issue of time and rushing. I am attempting to create a life that is not enslaved to this hyper-cultural way of doing things, but it's difficult. There are the "givens of existence" that I always have to work with, and increasingly it seems that I have to find some acceptance there. But not entirely. It's important to go against an inherently unhealthy system. Slowing down is one of those radical acts--just try going the speed limit sometime on the highway!

But your question seems to be about how to start a dialog, and how to communicate and incorporate meditative techniques into a system that functions on speed. How to educate others in these ways?
What brought you into this field? What attracted you? Usually people have to suffer before they look for alternative ways of doing things. I think as a culture we are reaching some sort of breaking point, and more people will naturally be tuning into messages such as yours. Until then, I'd openly share my own experience. I'd talk about what it means to me, and how specifically and concretely meditation changes the way I experience the world. You are highly intelligent and very passionate about what you are doing. Finding a way to speak so that others can actually hear this passion will be important for you.

Hey Todd. First, with regard to your article, I think educating an audience will happen more through examples of personal experience. I'm not your usual reader, and I'm highly motivated to read anything posted about the applications of meditation to business. Your average Biznik reader probably doesn't have the attention span for your article--more because of focus and busy-ness, than a lack of their ability to comprehend. So I guess I'd pick a few essential points you want to make, and then I'd ground them with personal, concrete examples. I've noticed that bloggers and readers on the web are attracted to bullet points and the like. Although I'm not that sort of writer, one does have to consider the market. That being said, I think it's a worthy cause--neuroscience and contemplative practice are a boon to business people--so I commend you on your efforts here--and your bravery.
I'm interested in what you are saying about ritual/religion and neuroscience. I don't see the two as incompatible. For me, ritual is part of how I am limbically regulated. It actually helps establish neural pathways in my brain that are healing. I think to divorce contemplative practice from tradition may not be our best course of action. Tradition/ritual/religion needs to change and reflect the needs of the times, however, and incorporating ideas from science is important. I guess my most important point here is to ground whatever we are trying to get across in our experience, and to speak from that place. Concrete examples and pictures and stories tell more than a million abstract words.
When I practice Zen with others, sometimes I eat ori-yoki style, which is a very particular and ritualized form of eating. When I first practiced this, I HATED it. It seemed like the most ridiculous thing on earth and I couldn't imagine its applicability to anything important in my life. But after practicing for awhile, I began to appreciate it's simplicity--the way it brought me to gratitude for the food I was eating--the way I began to experience my cravings and impatience. It taught me about forgiving my imperfections, and also about my greediness--or my sense of not having enough. So what seemed like placing silly little bowls in the "right" place, bowing at the right time for the server, and placing chopsticks in a particular direction, was actually an experience of being schooled in gratitude, my personal psychology of longing, and patience. So there's an example of how to make a larger point through telling a little story. This could be done much better just by telling the story and not explicitly stating the point--but this is a comment, so it's rushed! Thanks for posting and starting the discussion! L.

We are in the process of publishing on Book Surge. So far our experience has been good--but I just uploaded the book to them today. It should take about a month before I know how I like it. They are offering all sorts of specials and so forth--also the book is listed on Amazon and some other juicy sites. As for the printing--you can sort of tell, if you know books very well, that it's self-published. But it's not bad. They offer marketing advice, and we have a lot of control over the content and look of the book, which I like. I can keep you posted about the process, especially if you are willing to send me reminders along the way. Good luck! L.

Yeah, I've on Mac and having the same problem. Thanks for this post--I'm going to go fix it now!

If anyone is in North Seattle, it would be great to see a meeting on a Monday or Tuesday morning at Hot-Wired (on 15th and 175th). Good coffee, plenty of space, and internet availability in case we want to talk about blogging and so forth. Also, those are the days I'm in Seattle... Also have mostly evening clients.

Hi, I'm looking for other therapists to network with in the area. Would love to add you to my network. Great introductory post, by the way. I also work in creative ways--through writing (see my website). Look forward to corresponding with you!

It's amazing to me how helpful meditation is to my life and my practice. Thank you for posting such a detailed and thoughtful article. I am so interested in how the brain changes through both meditation and relational practices--it's just fascinating, isn't it?

Julia--thank you! Your writing is wonderful--what a relief to see something so articulate and heartfelt, and also useful to other members. I also feel a kindred spirit with you--as I am also 46, starting out again as a relational practitioner, and as such, have been receiving many, many lessons in the practice of appreciation for this precious human life. Very nice post.

Looks like you are already doing some positive things by joining this site, and finding ways to connect with others. I'd love to hear more about your concerns in starting up--the emotional content of what is going on for you. I'm doing a little research myself in this area. I'll be writing here and blogging about it as well. Welcome to Biznik, and good luck!