Over Christmas break our family visited Maui to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. The weather was of course wonderful, with clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 80s.  Each day we experienced strong trade winds which moved the palm trees in a peaceful dance. In such a beautiful environment mindfulness is easy to touch with natural beauty all around.

A highlight of the trip, among many, was a visit with Ram Dass.  In my late teens Ram Dass  was an important influence in my spiritual journey which was inspired by reading his book titled BE HERE NOW.

Later in life I was fortunate to met Dass several times in the 90s during my time as a Program Officer at the Fetzer Institute.

My conversation with Dass on Maui this Christmas was quite wonderful and rich with insight.  Most important for me was a rekindling of my desire to serve society through my mindfulness teaching, especially serving those who are in greatest need of healing.

Our times are filled with so much focus on DOING and mindfulness offers a much needed antidote by teaching us to take time to BE fully in the moment with deep awareness and appreciation for where we are and what we have right now, without the compulsion to change or add anything.

What a gift I received from Dass, one I will always cherish.