MIND: Your personal Lido Deck

Leisure time, according to this interesting interview with Alison Link in the New York Times today, is an especially critical concept for those"at-risk". I am intrigued with emerging research, particularly with addiction studies and rehabilitation, about how leisure time is critical tool for keeping us healthy.

Leisure time is hard. But it's important. Down time keeps us human. We're not career bots, but we're made of flesh and blood and neurons that sometimes need a break. And not a vacation break, but a daily one. A time to stop, reset, gather, exhale, regroup, relax, recover, breathe, loosen and go beneath the surface. From my personal experience, it boils down to this: meditation practice is bedrock for keeping it real. Without it, the noise starts . The distracting internal critics in my head start to clamor for attention. Meditation practice turns down that volume and allows me to 'hear' the truth in a situation without my emotions coloring every twist and turn, There is on-the-cushion Zen meditation, and then there is meditation practice as it informs everyday life. Walking down the sidewalk, being mindful to feel the breeze on my face. Washing the dishes, and having the awareness I am making my apartment a more relaxing and nicer environment. Dancing to the radio, and just dancing to the radio. (CN)