A reflection on the balance between caring for the world & caring for ourselves

Waking up today I see the sun shining outside. Inside I see that my mind has been cluttered for many days with thoughts, worries and fears about COVID-19. On a weekly basis I interact with many communities and individuals, locally and globally. The past week has been a never ending bombardment of communications, emails and rescheduling. I am grateful for all the work I do and see a drive to hold space and continue to offer as much as possible at this challenging time. However, as someone who researches burnout and wellbeing this raises an interesting challenge - what is the balance between the drive and capacity to offer externally and the need to replenish and rest internally?…

Exploring the Buddhist framework of the “The Four Immeasurable Minds” (the minds of true love)

Although "Valentine's day" might be viewed as an example of our society's drive towards consumerism and consumption (with a complex cultural/historical history), we might also see it as an invitation to pause and contemplate the concept of LOVE. What does love mean for you in this moment? How are you showing yourself and/or those around you love? Below is a brief summary of Thich Nhat Hanh’s perspective on the Buddhist framework known as “The Four Immeasurable Minds” or the “Brahmaviharas” which propose concrete ways we can cultivate love towards ourselves and others…

How to maximize the benefits by taking a purposeful break

Now that my research study has run and my primary data is collected, I am transitioning into writing mode. As the summer months arrived, friends and family started asking me when my “summer break” would take place. At this point in a PhD there is always something to do, and no one is scheduling a break for you…

Organizing a neuroscience retreat: returning to the source

Over a year ago I was invited to be part of the organizing team for a neuroscience themed retreat in Upper Hamlet, Plum Village - Thich Nhat Hanh's main practice centre in the South of France. Over the past year, I collaborated with the monastics and lay organizers to curate a retreat focused on building dialogue and communication between the epistemologies of science and Dharma…

How to reach major milestones without burning out…

Excited to share that a major milestone in my PhD journey has taken place! January-February 2019 the 5-week mindfulness program at the heart of my research study ran at SickKids Hospital in downtown Toronto. Forty eight physicians, from over fifteen different departments, took part in the study…

Organizing a day to explore the research, science and practice of mindfulness

A brief entry to share some joy from this past week! Over the last several months I have been part of the organizing team for the Inaugural Mindfulness Research Symposium at SickKids hospital. I was invited a year ago to join the Mindfulness Project Team…

Applying “beginner’s mind” to the REB process

To complete my degree I will be conducting a research study exploring the application of mindfulness to address physician wellbeing - specifically through the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Before implementing the study, the entire protocol needs to be rigorously designed and then submitted to the hospital’s review ethics board (REB)…

Can you experience true happiness when there is so much to do?

Continuing with the theme from my last post - I have too many things on the go! All of them are wonderful, incredible opportunities that I don’t feel I can say no to. Talking with other grad students this seems to be a pretty constant theme…

Finding the middle way amongst many moving parts…

Starting off 2018 with a few too many moving parts…I am currently working on the study design for my thesis project so we can submit it to the SickKids Hospital REB (Research Ethics Review Board), finishing up my PhD course work…