Real Listening…Beyond Words | Ep. 24
I try to not be a hypocrite while teaching about the power of listening by speaking uninterrupted for over an hour. I discuss how challenges you experience in listening actually come from a disconnection from yourself.
MoreBeing Yourself When You Serve (Part II)
This article stands alone, but also serves as an extension of themes discussed in of part I. The Case of the Two-Faced Server. One of the most prominent bits of restaurant industry lore concerns an idea that the servers that are the most gracious, sweet and beloved by their guests are the vile once they […]
MoreMake Conflict Your Monastery – Interview w/ Henry Yampolsky | Ep. 19
Discussion on the art of mindful conflict resolution. The Yogic path of self-understanding meets mediation in powerful ways.
MoreService, Leadership & Authentic Communication…From The Inside-Out – Interview w/ Greg Clowminzer | Ep. 17
Interview with Greg Clowminzer about mindful communication, understanding the nature of thought and the self-knowledge you acquire from seeing through it.
MoreTechniques For Being The Strongest, Most Authentic & Self-Realized Human – Interview w/ Jonni Pollard | Ep. 16
Humanity as the new spirituality! Talk with Jonni Pollard about his book The Golden Sequence, a total guide to conscious living as a participant in society. Self-development is worth much unless you’re of service!
MoreLiving Your Best Life By Asking Your Best Questions – Interview w/ Marc Champagne of the KYŌ App | Ep. 15
An interview with the co-founder of the KYO App discussing the power of journaling and asking yourself the right questions to improve your life
MoreFree Everyone From Neediness…By Celebrating Need! | Ep. 14
Master identifying needs, get what you want through compassion, and break the subtle conditioning that keeps us from communicating honestly.
MoreYou’re Always Potentially In A Teacher-Student Dynamic…So Do It Right | Ep. 13
At any moment we have the power to initiate a teacher-student dynamic. Discusses the important and delicate nuances of this dynamic and how to respect them.
MoreBeing Yourself When You Serve (Part I)
Powerful Ways The Service Environment Reveals & Tests Our Ability to Be Our Authentic Selves Probably the most played out bit of wisdom we get from people of all positions and disciplines is encouragement to “just be you” rather than whatever you think people expect of you. It’s something we always do well to be […]
MoreSearching For Significance: Serving Means Directing People To Their Highest Selves | Ep. 11
Skillful ways of speaking to the highest place in people without seeming manipulative. People are awesome and it’s in your best interest to discover that.
MoreBeing Your True Self Is Not What You Think It Is: Interview w/ David Tian | Ep. 09
Discussion with self-development coach David Tian about being yourself…and the surprising ways that really being yourself means being focused beyond it.
MoreEverything Improves When You Live As An Information Gatherer | Ep. 07
Mastering the art of information gathering to free you from the challenges of difficult people.
MoreNext Level Conscientiousness: Engineering Unique Moments | Ep. 05
Service principles that put mindfulness to work; service mindsets that can provide you with success in every area of life.
MoreTaking The Higher Ground With Skill, Strength & Compassion | Ep. 04
Stealthily sweet techniques for dealing with difficult people and situations without being confrontational.
MoreServers With Attitude: When & Why We Love Them | Ep. 02
A look at the phenomenon of “snarky server” restaurants and bars. What attracts people to them and, more importantly, what is repelling them from somewhere full of friendly accommodating staff.
MoreGood Service = Self Awareness: Interview w/ Kevin von Behren | Ep. 01
Founder of Fly Awake Tea House in Portland Oregon shares his deep sense of service and what it takes to create a unique gathering space.
MoreService to Others Would Be Easy…If Satisfying Needs Wasn’t Such An Ethical Challenge
Originally written for the Be Here Now Network. What is service? On the surface, it sounds so simple: the act of identifying needs and working to fulfill them. Service is often thought of as oriented to others, but the target should just as often be yourself. Service is often thought of as a professional imperative (i.e. […]
MoreLessons From Service & Moviegoing: Let Others Be The Hero & You Always Win
How do we end up rooting for anti-heros? Film and television characters that aren’t 100% virtuous have always managed to get our full support. They don’t always do the right thing, but we want them to succeed at whatever they are doing (even if it’s something with questionable morality). In a sense, we aren’t cheering […]
MoreWhy Service Is Difficult & How To Thrive In The Face of Its Challenges (Part II)
In part I of this article, I illustrated my current easier-than-usual work environment where I still find tremendous challenges to serving others. I’ve found that this is because of the innate limitations of being human and connecting to other humans. This exercise has allowed me to look at the finer points of service and […]
MoreWhy Service Is Difficult & How To Thrive In The Face of Its Challenges (Part I)
Years ago, I retired from the bar/restaurant industry to take my meditation knowledge further and become trained as a teacher. Last year, I returned. For love, fascination…and, yeah…for money. I was excited to be back in my element. And dreading it a bit since I know the industry can take its toll on ones health […]
MoreWelcome To The Family: Hospitality As A Spiritual Practice
Originally written for the Be Here Now Network. Check it out here. A 2007 study by political scientist RD Putnam discovered that people are more likely to socially retreat when in ethnically diverse environments. Our tendency to hide away and avoid connecting to those that seem different than us was the focus of Grace Rodriguez’ […]
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