Join novelist, essayist, and canoe adventurer Mar’ce Merrell as she unpacks her spiritual and creative toolbox, sharing how she uses meditation to move through stuck places in life and on the page. Mar’ce describes the steppingstones of her journey from the moment her therapist first suggested meditation to a literal “breakthrough” experience at an MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) Retreat with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli at Mount Madonna Center. The breakthrough encouraged her...

This is a shorter version of Episode 71 "Tranquil Ocean Shamatha," with a bit less instruction. Shamatha or “peaceful abiding” helps stabilize the mind by cultivating a steady awareness of the object of meditation, in this case, the breath. You can do the same practice using alternative anchors such as bodily sensations or sounds. Staying present  to an anchor provides scaffolding or training wheels to help keep your mind focused. Over time, practicing Shamatha meditation steadies you...

 Shamatha, which means “peaceful abiding” or “tranquility," is the foundational meditation of Buddhist practice. It helps stabilize the mind by cultivating a steady awareness of the object of meditation, in this case, the breath. You can do the same practice using alternative anchors such as bodily sensations or sounds. Staying present  to an anchor provides scaffolding or training wheels to help keep your mind focused. Once you become proficient at Shamatha, you no longer need an object of...

Lovingkindness, also known as "metta," is a Buddhist practice of cultivating good will and positive regard toward yourself and others. The practice invites us to expand the good will of our hearts to reach ever widening circles, extending to loved ones, neutral acquaintances, difficult people, animals, and the planet itself. A longer version of this meditation can be found under the title "Lovingkindness Deep Immersion." Whether done on the meditation pillow or spontaneously in the course of...

Join sculptor and poet Don Freas, author of In-Between: Creativity Set Free and Swallowing the World: New and Selected Poems, in a rich exploration of the relationship between meditation and creativity. Don describes how his practice of Liangong, a form of Qigong, deepens his somatic awareness in the studio and in life. He explains how his process of journaling, partly inspired by Robert A. Johnson’s book Inner Work: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth, has deepened...

Metta is a Buddhist practice of cultivating good will and positive regard toward yourself and others. A Pali word, metta means lovingkindness. The practice invites us to expand the good will of our hearts to reach ever widening circles, extending to loved ones, neutral acquaintances, difficult people, animals, and the planet itself. Whether done on the meditation pillow or spontaneously in the course of a day, metta has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety and increase compassion for...

A rerecorded, remastered version of Episode 41, this guided visualization is based on a near-death experience described by Carl Jung in his memoir Memories, Dreams, and Reflections. Jung experienced this vision as he hung on the edge of death after a heart attack. Following a brief relaxation exercise, you will be guided through this vision as if you are experiencing it for yourself. Feel free to replace the particularities of this vision with your own and let it unfold as it wishes. This...

Inspired by the work of Carl Jung, this practice of cultivating a "waking dream" helps you to access the wisdom of your subconscious. In Jungian psychology, this technique is called “Active Imagination." Episode 6 of this podcast offers a similar version of this guided visualization with different music. Jung recorded his waking visions in his extraordinary illustrated journal, The Red Book. His meditative technique was recreated by MJ Dorian on his podcast Creative Codex. For deeper...

This is the 3rd of three progressive meditations inspired by Dr. Patrick MacManaway’s book Cultivating Your Light Body. It builds on the strength and stability developed in the first and second practices. Here, we continue cultivating heart-centered awareness in a cycle of witnessing, blessing, and renewal, and we take the further step of using these qualities to restore right relationship to current challenging issues in our lives. We restore a healthy relationship in the pathways of energy...

 This is the 2nd of three progressive meditations that build on each other, though each can also be done separately. They are inspired by practices taught by Dr. Patrick MacManaway in his book Cultivating Your Light Body. In this meditation we develop our awareness of heart-centered consciousness to include our primary alignment, the center spindle, or vertical axis of our personal globe of consciousness and intelligence, connecting those parts of us that belong to the realms above and below,...

This is the first of three progressive meditations that build on each other, though each can be done separately. Inspired by a practice taught by Dr. Patrick MacManaway in his book Cultivating Your Light Body, this initial meditation is simple and introductory in nature, but subtle and profound in effect. It is designed to guide your awareness toward the heart, and then to bring your awareness within the heart. From this point of source radiance, the practice then expands and integrates your...

Inspired by Byron Katie, Al-Anon, and 12-Step, these simple affirmations encourage a fresh rewiring of old conditioning. Making the quality of your consciousness your highest priority is the most life-changing action you can take. Moment to moment, are you on autopilot or responding with intention and presence? The more we stop wasting energy trying to control others, the more personal agency is available to us, offering greater clarity and autonomy over our choices and habits. We stand in...

It's easy to forget who we really are, to rush through life without pausing to experience our true essence. Yet when we take this pause, we gain clarity, groundedness, and wisdom from which to respond to life wisely rather than reactively. Eckhart Tolle uses the phrases “Little Me” and "Deep I" to distinguish the part of you that runs around on the surface of life from the timeless presence at the core of your being. This guided visualization leads you down a hall of sheer silken rainbow...

Slip into sleep bathed in the golden light of gratitude. Collect and savor three small moments from your day. Studies show that a simple practice of gratitude can improve well-being, increase resilience, strengthen relationships, and reduce stress and depression. Plus, it's a sweet way to drift off to sleep! Relax and enjoy. Music: "Lovingkindness" by Six Missing Audio Engineer: Eric Fischer of audio-refined Photo by Kate Stone Matheson Support the showTess on Insight Timer Tess on...

This luminous Yoga Nidra  practice invites your body into deep restorative sleep while your mind, like a night-blooming flower, opens to formless awareness. Based on a similar meditation offered by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati, this includes a complete body relaxation, 61-point exercise, and ascending breath practice. Yoga Nidra deepens meditation and unhooks the neuro-conditioning that keeps you stuck. Studies show regular practice alleviates stress, PTSD and improves wellbeing. Music:...

Studies show that a practice of gratitude greatly enhances overall wellbeing. This talk offers a simple on-the-spot way to  bring yourself into a state of grace, of flow, of alignment, whenever you need it in the midst of your day. I learned this technique from a teacher named Patrick MacManaway, and I heartily encourage you to give it a try. It is surprisingly powerful! Inspiration: Patrick MacManaway: https://patrickmacmanaway.com/ Music: "When the Trees Sleep" by Six Missing Audio...

Friends, I'm taking a short break from posting meditations as I work on a deadline for my novel, DAWNLAND, due out next year. During this hiatus, I will post short talks from time to time when the spirit arises, inspired by whatever I happen to be grappling with at the moment. I wish you well. Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke. Photo by Mario Dobelmann. Audio Engineering by Eric Fischer. Support the showTess on Insight Timer Tess on YouTube Tess's novels: https://tesscallahan.com/ Thank...

Friends, I'm on a little break from posting meditations while I finish edits on my forthcoming novel, Dawnland, but will post talks from time to time. This short encouragement offers a simple way to check in with your heart as you endeavor to process difficult events in the world or in your life. I invite you to be gentle with the movements of your heart. Be kind to yourself. Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke. Photo by Thomas Mossholder. Audio Engineering by Eric Fischer of...

Friends, I'm taking a short break from posting meditations as I work on a deadline for my novel, Dawnland, due out next year. During this hiatus, I will post short talks from time to time when the spirit arises, mostly inspired by whatever I happen to be grappling with at the moment. If there's something you'd like me to talk about, feel free to reach out. Keep in mind that I'm not an expert on anything, just a fellow human who wishes you well. Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke.  Photo by...

This morning prayer invites you to delight in your human existence and to freely call out for divine assistance. It is based on a Tibetan Buddhist daily practice called "Nectar of the Path" taught by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. It includes The Four Thoughts, Refuge & Bodhichitta, and Guru Yoga. In some cases, I have put the prayers into my own words to make them relatable to a non-buddhist. The original text is available through Tergar.org.  Music: Christopher Lloyd Clarke. Photo: Nick...

This guided visualization invites you to call to mind a wisdom figure or spiritual guide, to merge your heart with theirs, and together to take wing over the many landscapes of the planet for a soaring experience of expansiveness and gratitude. Bless the land, bless others, and bless yourself in this journey of intimate connection. Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke. Photo by Alex Wigan. Tess on Insight Timer Tess on YouTube Tess's novels: https://tesscallahan.com/

Inspired by Adyashanti's book "Guided Meditations" this compliments the earlier "Pure Potentiality" & "Divine Ground" meditations. Using a background of Tibetan om chanting, it is designed to evoke awareness of the divine ground of your being as it emerges into form with each breath you take. If you like this meditation, I highly recommend Adyashanti's books. He has been an important teacher for me. I wish you a full heart and grounded spirit. Music: Christopher Lloyd Clarke. Photo: Josh...

This is a shorter version of my meditation "Pure Potentiality" inspired by Adyashanti's audiobook, "Guided Meditations." Recorded during a group meditation, it is designed to evoke awareness of the divine ground of your being, which Adyashanti calls the "unknown self." If you like this meditation, I highly recommend his books and teachings. Music by Christopher LLoyd Clarke. Photo by Luis Graterol. Tess on Insight Timer Tess on YouTube Tess's novels: https://tesscallahan.com/

Based on a practice taught by Dr. Patrick MacManaway, this meditation attunes you to the magnetic field of your heart, which not only envelops every cell of your body but has been shown by sensitive magnetometers to extend out in all directions into the space around you. It influences your environment and those around you. Through meditative stillness, you can experience this energy field, bless it with your love, and bring greater coherence to your life. Music by Christopher Lloyd...