Urban Mindfulness

Finding peace in the middle of it all.

Jonathan Kaplan, Ph.D., is the founder of Urban Mindfulness and the Director of the Stress Management Program at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York City. See full bio

October 28, 2009

Seasonal Mindfulness: 6 Tips to Experience the Changing Weather

Ah, autumn! Many changes are underway as our hemisphere slowly tilts away from the sun:the temperature begins to cool, formerly green leaves turn to brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red; and the weather becomes more unpredictable. Whether we need a light jacket, heavy coat, or umbrella can change from day-to-day, even during the course of a day! Read More

June 16, 2009

Letting Go of Expectations: A Lesson in Mindful Parenting

Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn have describe parenting as "a gigantic adventure" and "an 18 year retreat" in mindfulness. So, what's a struggling-to-be-mindful dad do when his son won't answer a simple question? Read More

June 3, 2009

The Dalai Lama on Urban Mindfulness, Violent Offenders, and Mad Dogs

Last month, the Dalai Lama was the featured speaker at a conference on wisdom and compassion sponsored by Harvard Medical School. In this post, I share some of the insights that he shared, including an observation on the special importance of mindfulness for us city dwellers! Read More

May 8, 2009

What the Dalai Lama Doesn't Know...

Last week, I attended a 2-day conference on meditation and psychotherapy co-sponsored by Harvard Medical School. The theme of the conference was "Wisdom and Compassion", featuring the Dalai Lama as the main speaker. For six hours, he answered questions posed by prominent scientists and clinicians. Read More

April 17, 2009

Riding the "E" Train: Mindfulness of Emotions

Prompted by an inquiry from a reader, I wrote last time about the importance of introducing mindfulness to our emotional experiences. Emotions come and go, like the passing sound of an express subway train. We have a slight feeling that grows in intensity until it reaches a peak, then subsides. Read More

March 27, 2009

Mindful in the City

Living in the city can be a pretty intense experience. Sometimes it seems like everything is a "step-above" what it might be elsewhere: we walk faster; we talk louder; we work harder; we drive crazier. This same kind of intensity can also develop with our emotional experiences. We can have anxiety, anger, sadness, joy, disgust at such high levels that it can feel overwhelming. Read More

March 17, 2009

Spring into Mindfulness

Seasonal changes can facilitate mindfulness. As the weather changes, so does our perspective. Springtime, in particular, is a wonderful time to become more aware of the growth and life that surrounds us. Read More

March 11, 2009

Plants Make You Feel Better

Stressed at work or school? Recent research has suggested that houseplants can lighten our mood and improve productivity. Read More

February 25, 2009

Mindfulness and the Financial Crisis

Here in the city (and all over the country), anxiety about the financial crisis is palpable and omnipresent. Thousands of people, especially within the financial services industry, have been losing their jobs. Real estate construction and development have slowed or ceased, while home sales plummet. Read More

February 20, 2009

Got Seat? 8 Easy Steps to Meditate on the Subway

Last week, I provided guidelines on how to meditate while standing on the subway (or bus, train, cable car, monorail, etc.). Click here for the post: Standing Subway Meditation. Sometimes though, we're fortunate enough to actually get a seat! Read More

Anxiety Basics

From normal butterflies-in-the-stomach to clinically diagnosable conditions such as Panic Disorder, anxiety motivates some people but paralyzes others.

Go to the Anxiety Basics page for more on Anxiety including:

Current Issue

Everyday Creativity

How to start living creatively and reap the benefits.

Subscribe to Urban Mindfulness

Anxiety Basics

Current Issue