Enlightened Living

Mindfulness practice in everyday life.

Michael J. Formica, MS, MA, EdM is a psychotherapist, social scientist, and educator in Westport CT. He is an Initiate in the Shankya Yoga lineage. See full bio

October 23, 2009

The Butterfly, the Cocoon and the Seed of Transformation

We live in perilous times. Things that we have taken for granted and may have once regarded as constants in our lives have become uncertain, feeding, in turn, the frenzy of our own personal sense of uncertainty. This is nothing new, but recent events in the economy, the world at large and, for some of us, within our own personal realm of experience, have drawn into stark relief that which is the only constant - nothing is permanent, and everything must change. Our abject denial of this single truth has, in many ways, caused us to become victims of our own device. The Dharma Journal is a three month long project intended to bring into perspective the experience of what may be our current personal challenges, as well as to address that experience in a fashion intended to promote both a personal, and a planetary, evolution.

October 9, 2009

How Trying Versus Doing Limits Potential

One of my teachers, Grandmaster Lee, is often heard saying, "There is no "try" - only do!" While at first blush this may appear to be one of many almost stereotypical aphorisms of a wizened old Taoist priest, it is, in fact, a rather complex social commentary on how not to build negativity into our lives and, simultaneously, maximize our potential for success. In his typically oblique Chinese fashion, he means it just that way. Read More

October 3, 2009

Being Prepared – An Object Lesson for Therapists, New and Seasoned

Not long ago a patient attempted to jump out of my office window. No surprises there - this is a deeply disturbed young woman with a long history of suicidality who is a frequent flier at the local hospitals. What the situation points to is that, despite all the soft science chatter about theory, "how-to's" and take aways, this work is serious business and, if you're going to sign up, you'd best have your tools in order. Read More

October 2, 2009

(How to) "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World"

Mahatma Gandhi taught that we should endeavor to be the change that we wish to see in the world. This statement is a call to personal authenticity and suggests that we make every effort to embody in character and action that which would see created for ourselves, our fellows and future generations.

September 28, 2009

The Failure of Psychology Revisited...

In a recent post, Nathan Heflick writes on the topic of "Why and How Afterlife Belief Occurs". At first blush, it would appear the premise of this research is predicated upon the antecedent premise that has most regrettably become the container for our view of modern psychology -- that is, the division of science and spirit. Empirical research gives us an oftentimes valid point of reference for human behavior, but what about the thing that we can never quite put our finger on -- the spirit of the thing? Read More

September 25, 2009

Thinking Outside the Box on Diagnosis and Treatment

A 47 year old man walks into a psychiatrist's office and complains of low energy, poor sleep, apathy, lack of appetite, disinterest, and a general sense of malaise. The psychiatrist thinks, "Depression." and prescribes a suitable medication. Good call. But what if it's not? Read More

September 24, 2009

Rediscovering and Reclaiming the Authentic Self

The most unforgiving voice of all is the one that lives inside our heads. It is the constant drone of self-criticism, less-than and not-good-enough that leads our memory maps, habit patterns and fixed fantasies to the darkest of places. Silencing the Inner Critic is the first step toward rediscovering and reclaiming the authentic self.

September 19, 2009

Reactionary Relationship: Trying to Fix the Damage After It’s Done

What if, rather than putting out the fire, we endeavored to prevent the fire in the first place? What if we were mindful and paid attention to that which would most nourish our relationships as we went along, rather than trying to fix them after they are beyond repair?

September 16, 2009

Soulmate Love and Authentic, Egoless Relationship

There are times when the psycho-babble falls silent, and there is nothing to explain the breathless experience of another human being as a perfect reflection and complement to ourselves. When something seemingly lost to us returns - or maybe finds us for the first time -- in a single moment of blinding clarity, we may find ourselves gifted with the essence of an authentic, egoless love, and then all the talk of archetypes and motifs, complexes, core conflicts and neurotic interdependencies become somehow inadequate.

September 15, 2009

Serving a Global Clientele via Tele-com Technologies

Technology has transformed what was once one of the most intimate of local services into both a global commodity, and something accessible to people who, in the past, may not have had this outlet available. Read More

Spirituality Basics

Spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it's a personal lord, for others a feeling in the wind. Research shows that even skeptics can't stifle the sense something greater. Humans can't help but ask big questions, even if there's no one there to answer them.

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