1. Meditation:Pathway to Well Being

2. Well-Being Physical Mental Spiritual

3. Meditation Increases energy Relieves stress Reduces fatigue Relieves insomnia Reduces blood pressure and cholesterol Reduces anxiety Balances hormones Improves self-confidence

4. Meditation Emptying or concentration of the mind Focusing Mindfulness All spiritual traditions have some connection with the practice of meditation

5. Meditation and Well-Being Stress Management o Decrease in Cortisols o Increase in Endorphins Decreases Self Judgment Diminishes Judgments of Others Increase in Self-Esteem Creates Inner Peace Changes your environment

6. Habits of mind

7. “Three-Legged Stool” Body o Alert, erect o Relaxed Breath: connects the soul to Higher Consciousness Mind o Resists stillness o Natural state is peace o Ego wants us to think

8. “Four-Legged Stool”  Body  Breath  Mind  Non-Judgment

9. Non-Judgment One of the keys to happiness is to stop the habit of self-judgment and self-hatred. When we stop judging ourselves we will stop judging others. Where there is no judgment, there is peace.

10. We go into meditation with a commitment That the body will remain still That the breath will be calm That the mind will be at peace, in spite of its habits THAT WE WILL NOT JUDGE OURSELVES…NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.

11. Two Sides to the Story Both sides of the brain are always active. The left brain is the language side. The right brain in the side of art and feeling…of euphoria and bliss. o “Close the language door, Open the love window…” Rumi

12. Peace and the Mind The clear sky is always there. Clouds come and cover the sky. But wind can blow them away. Clear sky remains. Clear mind, the mind at peace, is always present. Thoughts come and obscure the peace of clear mind. Mindfulness practice can blow the thoughts away, gently, with ease, and without judgment. Peace remains.

13. The Key to Happiness To still the language side of the brain so that the right brain can be heard and felt. A mind at peace, filled with joy, is our natural state.

14. Brain States Beta – Normal state; multi-tasking Alpha - Focused mind; waking up Theta – Dream state of sleep; creative; deep meditation Delta – Dreamless sleep; unified consciousness oneness; rest and rejuvenation

15. Winter Feast for the Soul A worldwide 40-day spiritual practice period for all people January 15 – February 23 each year since 2008

16. Inspiration “What nine months does for the embryo Forty early morning Will do for your growing awareness.” Rumi

17. TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOUand Your Family Guided meditations on line Christian Contemplative Prayer Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Sufi Universal Meditation Mindfulness/Vipassana Meditation New Thought/Science of Mind Interdenominational Meditation Children (four minutes of stillness for world peace) Mindfulness Practice for Teens

18. Why You Should Start To Practice Peace NOW for yourself for your family for the planet “The world will never be at peace until peace lives in the heart of each and every person on the planet.” Pope John XXIII (1963)

19. Contact us: www.winterfeastforthesoul.com

20. Email and Phone winterfeastforthesoul@gmail.com 788-6373

21. Thank You.