Elephant Journal: The Mindful Life With Waylon

Yesterday, I got to talk (and listen) with one of the world’s greatest writing teachers. Writing, at its heart, is not about writing—but about listening, about finding our voice, about being of benefit—a spiritual path of catharsis, of turning confusion to wisdom. I fell in love. She listed three key simple, repetitive practices to this path of listening. Read an excerpt of her new book: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2021/02/julia-cameron-my-favorite-guest-on-walk-the-talk-show-in-a-long-time/ Get her new book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250768582 ~ Write your Heart out with Elephant Academy: This writing course isn't (just) for writers. It's for anyone who ever writes—on Instagram, in work emails, in a private journal or on a public forum. This writing course is for you—to get vulnerable, get brave, get grounded, get open. Let's do it together this Spring: https://elephant-academy.teachable.com/

Empathy transforms stress and difficulty and even suffering into joy, generosity, and love. ⁠ Empathy is the world's most transformative emotion—and we can write our way to it.

Just had the honor to talk (listen) with Sharon Salzberg, a wonderful teacher of Loving-Kindness, or Maitri, or Metta—how to make friends with ourselves, so that we might enjoy empathy and be of real benefit to this world, instead of drowning in self-hate, pre-judgement of others, and war with our world.

Elephant's weekly Community Gathering—July 17, 2020. Join Elephant's (free!) weekly Gatherings live and become a part of the conversation and community on Fridays at 10 a.m. MST: http://elephantjournal.com/gathering The weekly mindful round-up of articles and resources mentioned in the meeting: It’s my Birthday today. Guess how old I am? ~ Waylon H. Lewis: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/its-my-birthday-today-guess-how-old-i-am-waylon-h-lewis/ Eternity ~ William Blake: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/a-complete-list-of-the-actual-quotes-waylon-is-vaguely-referring-to/ Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/pema-chodron-tonglen-a-meditation-practice-for-difficult-times/ How to Celebrate one’s Birthday in the Buddhist Tradition: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/10/how-to-celebrate-ones-birthday-in-the-buddhist-tradition/ This is why we bow: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/05/this-is-why-we-bow/ The Five Levels of Mask-Wearing—Immature Jerks,

This week, we hosted Liz Plank, one of our world’s most delightful, insightful, and incisive Feminists, as part of our Elephant Gathering & Elephant Camp (part of Elephant Academy). Waylon talked with Liz Plank about feminism, gender equality, her book, For the Love of Men, toxic vs. mindful masculinity, and how we can all join in actively in a movement to be of benefit to this world. In addition to the Elephant Gathering discussion, Liz went on to lead a writing exercise to discover our true self with our Elephant Academy Camp attendees. If you’re interested in watching that video or joining Camp, you can sign up for any Elephant Academy course and be automatically registered for Camp: elephantjournal.com/academy Join Elephant Gathering (free!): elephantjournal.com/gathering. For more, check out our blog: Waylon Lewis with Liz Plank: Feminism, For the Love of Men, {Video} on elephantjournal.com: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/07/waylon-lewis-with-liz-plank-feminism-for-the-love-of-men-video/

“If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love her enough.” ~ Senator Cory Booker Read: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/06/if-america-hasnt-broken-your-heart-you-dont-love-her-enough-senator-cory-booker/ Support Elephant and Independent Media. When you subscribe, you'll get to read unlimited articles, and see fewer ads. It's $3/month: elephantjournal.com/subscribe This Friday, we're offering another free Elephant Retreat. Join more conversations like this: elephantjournal.com/retreat. You have to register to save your spot, but it's free. Some of the articles referenced in the video, enjoy:  • 

I love old statues. But…
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/06/i-love-old-statues-but-waylon-lewis/

 • Brené Brown on Empathy: How we’re Showing Up in all the Wrong ways for those we Love: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/09/brene-brown-flawlessly-defines-empathy-in-this-enlightening-endearing-video-kelsey-michal/

 • When Things Fall Apart: My Favorite Pema Chödrön Quotes: https://www.eleph

"Racism is a learned affliction and anything that is learned can be unlearned." ~ #JaneElliott Here's the full video and the landmark exercise featured on Oprah and in classrooms across America—watch and be humbled, awaken your heart, share and educate: elephantjournal.com/2016/01/if-you-know-you-arent-racist-watch-this-blue-eyed-brown-eyed-test

"It takes bravery to feel because it's unpleasant. It's scary. If you're like me at all, you might feel unempowered—which is actually a good thing for me to feel. I should not feel empowered. I should feel like learning. I should feel like listening. But that doesn't mean that I should step back. We need to all be allies." ~ Waylon Lewis Watch the full video, "I’m a white male. I’m the same age as George Floyd. Here’s what we do with our privilege" on Elephant: https://elejrnl.com?p=2530989 This is part of our weekly Elephant's (free) Community Retreat.

Join us this Friday, free

This Friday, join us for our Elephant Retreat: elephantjournal.com/retreat ⁠ One hour of community connection, Q&A, and a little meditation. ⁠We're talking: 10 Basic Salves for Burn-Out & Everyday Depression.  Bring your own ideas. Bring a friend. Let's show up for each other. You have to register, but it's free: elephantjournal.com/retreat to join Waylon Lewis for an hour of live community and conversation. We had a long list of elephantjournal.com articles for you this week. Here's your mindful roundup:   ​Don’t Text & Drive, the Real Live Video. Conan O’Brien + Louis C.K.: “Everything’s Amazing + Nobody’s Happy. Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen, a meditation practice for difficult times. Discover Your Ikigai—(Your Reason For Living). Right Livelihood: Find your mindful career path forward. The notion of Ikigai or Right Livelihood can Save our World by Serving our Commonwealth. This is Parenting. The Good Mother. Empaths are the Most Selfish People on the Planet.* How to tell if you’re an Empat

This is a continuing part of Elephant's (free) Community Retreat: Dear Elephriends, Thank you for showing up—we're doing this for free, and it costs us time and effort and real money—so your showing up in the midst of your life makes it all make sense. If so inspired, text or DM a friend so we can get to 7,000 good humans, next week: elephantjournal.com/retreat (I see this growing to 10s of 1000s of us). ~ Waylon Lewis   If you're inspired to join this community with mentors and myself and our curriculum, and join the Elephant Academy community, it's more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now. And, a reminder: the discount below won't last. It's break-even for us to be able to pay our team, which they deserve. So jump in, and enjoy Elephant Academy at well off what it's ever been offered. I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code​: WRITINGCLUB at elephantjournal.com/writingclub We had a long list of Elephant Journal ar

This Friday, join us for Elephant’s (Free) Community Retreat: elephantjournal.com/retreat ⁠ One hour of community connection, Q&A, and a little meditation. ⁠We're talking: The Root of Overwhelm & How to Befriend it. Bring your own ideas. Bring a friend. Let's show up for each other. You have to register, but it's free: elephantjournal.com/retreat to join Waylon Lewis for an hour of live community and conversation. ⁠⁠ Some of the mindful articles referenced in this podcast: Fear to Fearlessness: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/04/fear-fearlessness/ Pema Chodron: How to do Tonglen, a meditation practice for difficult times: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/pema-chodron-tonglen-a-meditation-practice-for-difficult-times/ How to Meditate: The Dathun Letter via Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/05/elebuddhadharma-the-dathun-letter-via-chogyam-trungpa-rinpoche/ Busyness is Laziness. ~ Dr. Reggie Ray: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/dr-reggie-ray-bus

This Friday, join us for Elephant’s (Free) Community Retreat: elephantjournal.com/retreat ⁠ One hour of community connection, Q&A, and a little meditation. ⁠We're talking: How to Show up for Your Sweet Self (whether you’re Quarantined Alone or with Others).  Bring your own ideas. Bring a friend. Let's show up for each other. You have to register, but it's free: elephantjournal.com/retreat to join Waylon Lewis for an hour of live community and conversation. ⁠⁠ Some of the mindful articles referenced in this podcast: 10 Salves for a Broken Heart: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/08/to-love-is-to-hurt-10-salves-for-a-broken-heart/ How to Meditate: The Dathun Letter via Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/05/elebuddhadharma-the-dathun-letter-via-chogyam-trungpa-rinpoche/ Elephant's Mindful Advice on Coronavirus: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/03/elephants-mindful-advice-on-coronavirus-waylon/ 30 Sweet, Weird, Mindful Little Things to Do while Sheltering in Place:

Dear Mindful Community,   Thanks, you, for joining. May we use that hour to invest in good loneliness, ugly letting go, less busyness and laziness, and, yes: love in service.   Don't forget to read my favorite poem—it's timely, now.

Write your Heart, Serve our World. As part of Elephant's (free) Community Retreat, Waylon talks about the Ideas of Love vs. Moments of Love, & the Four Kinds of Love...Inspired to join us for two more Fridays? Go to elephantjournal.com/retreat to join these Elephant trainings, free. Dear Mindful Community, Thanks, you, for joining. Nearly 4,000 of you, from all over our globe...offering up your specificity, your voice, your cathartic empathy and active, not passive love in service. We'll do it again next Friday, and the Friday after that, and if it continues to be inspiring and fun and Four Kinds of Loveful for you all, maybe we'll continue. ~ Waylon Lewis ~ If you're inspired to join this community with mentors and myself and our curriculum, and join the Elephant Academy community, it's more affordable than it's ever been, or ever will be again, right now, for now. I'm offering 60% off an already affordable program, because now is for going deeper. Use code​: WRITINGCLUB at elephantjournal.com/writingc

Everyone's suddenly doing webinars. We're spending more time online than ever. But if all we do during this Coronavirus time is find a new way to create busy, we'll have lost this once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect through boredom and busyness into our hearts, into active empathy, active love, into making a real change. You can do it.⁠ Thank you for joining—from all over the world! That was so joyful to see and feel. Hope you found joy in this community, in the meditation and tonglen. ~ Waylon Lewis In that spirit, next Friday's contemplative Writing exercise is not about more. It's about heart, community, joy. Now is the time for our world to connect, gather, and figure a way forward, together, so we can live every day from our good heart. We'll also answer your questions.⁠ ⁠ If you didn't make it live this time, join us next Friday at 11 a.m. MT: elephantjournal.com/retreat If you're inspired to go all the way, and join the Elephant Academy community and get all the lessons therein, it's far more affo

In honor of this strange worldwide moment, when many of us are socially distanced (you better be), we're offering a free, introvert-friendly community gathering every Friday. You can view after the fact if the time doesn’t work for you. Feels like a good time for community. We'll do a brief meditation exercise, a longer community talk/Q&A, and a brief find-your-voice/write-your-heart-out exercise. 4 Fridays, for 1 month.  Go to elephantjournal.com/retreat to join. 

"There are going to be people and families—there already are—who are in desperate, desperate straits. And it's easy to judge other people until we feel it and we actually are brave enough to look at them. So it's not macho to go out and buy guns right now. It's macho to help a food pantry. It's macho to help our fellow citizens. It's macho to take care of yourself. That is true strength." ~ Waylon Lewis Read Waylon's article 

Loving-kindness—for oneself…it’s truly tough stuff. A mindful diet does not include dieting. It includes to be in harmony with our body, speech, and mind. Here are 11 tips for loving yourself. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events. Learning to Make Friends with Ourselves: Pema Chodron video on Maitri.  Is Cleansing the New Bulimia? Organic. Local. Cheaper Than Walmart.  

Loving-kindness—for oneself...isn’t lovey-dovey hippie-dippie. It’s truly tough stuff, and affirmations and The Secret and money and popularity and fun won’t do it. Here's how to be Happy from a Buddhist Perspective with Waylon Lewis. Podcast produced by: Vanessa Boehm; Music by Adam Agee, recorded live at Walk the Talk Show events.