Over the last ten years, there has been a growing interest in meditation. To some degree this curiosity stems from the increasing pressures of everyday life. Almost everyone feels that the pace of life is too fast, there is too much to do and not enough time to do it, too little time for oneself, and that our lives are out of balance. So naturally, interest in mind/body practices that provide a respite from this daily grind are on the rise. Yoga, an ancient relaxation practice, can be found everywhere these days. In my neighborhood, there are 5 yoga studios!

I became interested in... Read More

In my work, I see many individuals who have suffering. All of us, at one time or another, experience physical pain or emotional distress. These sensations come about from a variety of reasons—loss, disappointment, frustration, rejection, conflict, fear, illness, or accident. Generally, these negative experiences are fleeting. But then sometimes they can last a long time.

Certainly misfortune can be a cause of pain. Our bodies can (and ultimately will) betray us. They are made out of physical stuff that can break down and stop working. Indeed the march of time is often enough to... Read More

Asking for and accepting help can be difficult. But last week, to my pleasant surprise, my good friend Bill accepted my offer to come help him and his wife during his recovery from major surgery. I arrived in Boston the night before the operation. I think that he was particularly concerned about his wife. He was more worried about her, than himself. That’s my friend Bill.

He had his surgery on Tuesday of last week. At the admission desk, the receptionist gave us a pager, like the ones that restaurants give out, to let us know when Bill’s “table” was ready. Several hours later, he... Read More

I know that I eat more when I am tired. And somehow, I crave those sweet, gooey carbs. It gives me an energy boost, but then later I feel groggy.

Researchers have consistently found that adults who sleep too little are at greater risk of being overweight. There is some relationship between sleep deprivation and carbohydrate and sugar craving…

In a study at the University of Colorado, 16 healthy men and women participated in a two-week experiment, which tracked sleep, metabolism, and eating habits. Because subjects stayed in a special room, researchers were able to track... Read More