The Dual Nature of Breath The breath is unique among physiological processes. It occurs automatically, governed by the autonomic nervous system, yet it can also be consciously controlled. Specifically, slow breathing increases parasympathetic nervous system dominance while decreasing sympathetic dominance. This dual nature makes breath a natural bridge between involuntary and voluntary functions of the body (Jerath et al., 2006). Through this doorway of the breath, practition

I've been told many times that pain is a gift. In many ways, it is. But on some days, it is a gift I wish I could return. This blog post is vulnerable. I wrote it back in July of 2024 after significant surgery. It has taken me almost nine months to publish it, and you'll soon understand why. Meditation and compassion practices have good evidence for supporting chronic back pain Understanding Chronic Pain When people describe chronic pain as a gift, what do they really mean? F

For some of us, the giving and receiving of love can be a radical act. This is where Compassion Meditation is a valuable practice.