Jack Canfield Jack Canfield author. speaker. motivator.

Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]

 
Arianna Huffington Arianna Huffington political powerhouse. media mogul. author.

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

 
Seth Godin Seth Godin author. speaker. linchpin.

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

 
Krishna Kaur Krishna Kaur yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.

Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]

 
Norman Lear Norman Lear producer. philanthropist. tv legend.

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

 
Leilani Münter Leilani Münter race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.

Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]

 
Kevin Bales Kevin Bales Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.

By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]

 
Sophie Chiche Sophie Chiche mom. big dreamer. lady in red.

Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]

 
Mastin Kipp Mastin Kipp Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.

Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]

 
Liz Phair Liz Phair singer. musician. crier.

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

 
Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu archbishop. author. peaceful leader.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]

 
Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi author. ceo. humanitarian.

Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]

 
Sean Stephenson Sean Stephenson speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.

Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]

 
Kia Miller Kia Miller yogi. meditator. teacher.

Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]

 
Simon Mainwaring Simon Mainwaring creator. writer. idea geek.

Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]

 
Shannon Bindler Shannon Bindler Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.

Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]

 
Mathieu Bitton Mathieu Bitton Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.

Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]

 
Jorge Perez Jorge Perez Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.

Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com

 

immediacy

Tami Simon Tami Simon publisher. meditator. connecter.

Tami Simon is founder and publisher of Sounds True, an independent multimedia publishing company whose mission is to inspire, support, and serve personal transformation and spiritual awakening. [www.soundstrue.com]

I find meaning in heartful connection with people and in growing as a person – having insights that open me and allow me to be more connected with people. Over time, I’ve become more available, less defended, less armored, dropping old ropes tied around my heart and releasing them. This freeing of my heart has allowed me to become more intimate, relating to people in a feeling way.

The ability to fully connect with another person was something I’d always longed for and which I only recently feel like I’ve been starting to live. At some point, I began to be aware of various defenses and so I started meditating from a more embodied perspective. And I saw how that resulted in greater intimacy in my life.

I’ve been working with the phrase embodied immediacy as a way to return to a sense of aliveness, fullness, and meaning. Immediacy is about being fully with what’s happening versus distracted by thoughts about what else could be or might be. If I’m not in a state of embodied immediacy, my gut tends to clench and my feet tend to curl up, like little animals.

I’ve noticed that when I’m irritated or in meetings where we’re solving problems and I’m getting feedback, it’s easy to enter a defensive state. When I see that state arising, if I soften my belly, drop my shoulders, plant my feet flat on the floor, and breathe calmly through the bottoms of my feet. It really helps. When I relax my feet intentionally, I become more spacious and can hold that space so that I’m helpful and the meeting continues to unfold in a way that’s grounded.

I have a very, very packed calendar. I go in to the SoundsTrue office at 9 a.m. and have back-to-back meetings until 5 or 5:30. Even 30 minutes for lunch is typed into my calendar. So we’ve ritualized starting each meeting with a minute of silence. I find this tremendously helpful because I always know I’ll at least have that chance to reset myself, to soften and uncurl.

When I realize I’m feeling stressed out or unfulfilled, embodied immediacy is my way back. Those two words put me back in touch with a feeling of being animated from the inside, of inhabiting myself … and finding a heartful connection.

– Tami Simon

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • Mary Morrissey
    Mary Morrissey Mary Morrissey Author. Speaker. Empowerer.

    Best-selling author Mary Morrissey has been a consultant for over 30 years. Her transformational talks and seminars have made her one of the world's leading teachers in the human potential movement. [www.marymorrissey.com]

     
  • Benjamin Atkinson
    Benjamin Atkinson Benjamin Atkinson culinary artist. gracious foodie. grapefruit huller.

    Benjamin Atkinson launched The Dry Gourmet to re-make cooking wines. Along the way, he re-connected with food and grace. It is a journey he recommends for anyone. [www.drygourmet.com/the-story]

     
  • Gabrielle Bernstein
    Gabrielle Bernstein Gabrielle Bernstein life coach. motivational speaker. glass half-fullist.

    Gabrielle Bernstein is a motivational speaker, life coach, and author. In 2008, she launched the social networking site HerFuture.com to help young women find mentors. [http://gabbyb.tv]

     
  • Kern Konwiser
    Kern Konwiser Kern Konwiser kin collaborator. judgement dropper. purity seeker.

    Kern Konwiser is a writer, director, and producer who, along with his brother, has collaborated with the industry's most influential artists to create award-winning features in different media. [www.konwiserbros.com]

     
  • Mary Beth LaRue
    Mary Beth LaRue Mary Beth LaRue body healer. fear overcomer. joy indulger.

    Mary Beth LaRue is a yoga instructor and writer whose mission is to inspire others to live their best life, and to fully inhabit, enjoy, and heal their bodies and minds through yoga and intention-setting. [www.mblarue.com]

     
  • Stan Slap
    Stan Slap Stan Slap international consultant. bestselling author. mr. fabulous.

    Bestselling author Stan Slap is President of the international consulting company slap, specializing in achieving maximum commitment in business cultures and making the business case for humanity. [www.slapcompany.com]

     
  • Julie Simon
    Julie Simon Julie Simon former dieter. current helper. self acceptance discoverer.

    Julie M. Simon, MA, MBA, MFT is a psychotherapist, life coach, personal trainer, speaker and author of The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manual: A Practical Guide for Putting an End to Overeating and Dieting, based on her 12 Week Program. [www.overeatingrecovery.com]

     
  • Pol Serge Kakon
    Pol Serge Kakon Pol Serge Kakon Songwriter. Painter. Dreamer.

    Songwriter, novelist, and painter Pol Serge Kakon was born in Mogador (now Essaouira). He founded The Drunken Boat, in Paris, which became a mecca for poetry and song. [www.polsergekakon.com]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Brenton Gieser
    Brenton Gieser Brenton Gieser social change creator. ego battler. heart follower.

    Brenton Gieser is an entrepreneur who forgot about success a while back and is now focusing on creating value. He's currently building the community organization Be Social Change. [www.brentongieser.com]

     
  • Maurina Scott
    Maurina Scott Maurina Scott military daughter. spontaneous adventurer. student of life.

    College freshman Maurina Scott is the daughter of an active duty military member. She has moved frequently, lived overseas, and embraced a life of exploration. Her dad recently returned from a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan. [www.twitter.com/Maurina_Scott]

     
  • Jennifer Peek
    Jennifer Peek Jennifer Peek thrill seeker. mud pie maker. groover.

    Jennifer Peek is the founder of Find Your New Groove, mentoring women entrepreneurs to design and build businesses that reflect their purpose, passion, and priorities while embracing a sense of adventure. [http://findyournewgroove.com]

     
  • Judy Clement Wall
    Judy Clement Wall Judy Clement Wall author. lover. cheesecake enthusiast.

    Author Judy Clement Wall recently finished her first book, a literary novel about love (and some other things). She also has a blog, Zebra Sounds. [http://zebrasounds.net]

     
  • Scott Sandler
    Scott Sandler Scott Sandler father. papa. daddy.

    After enduring an incredible tragedy, architectural photographer Scott Sandler started Rachel's Registry to help cancer patients more easily find current and pertinent clinical trials. [www.rachelsregistry.com]

     
  • Josephine Bila
    Josephine Bila Josephine Bila blogger. survivor. moment grabber.

    Josephine Bila, M.S.W. is a storyteller who uses her personal experience and training in psychology to transform lives. She creates one blog post every Wednesday on her site. [josephinebila.com]

     
  • Margalit Ward
    Margalit Ward Margalit Ward life coach. listener. get up girl.

    Margalit Ward is an ICF-Certified Life and Executive Coach and co-founder of Get Up Girl Coaching, which specializes in women's empowerment programs. [www.getupgirl.com]

     
  • Rasanath Dasa
    Rasanath Dasa Rasanath Dasa full-time monk. compassionate mentor. instrument of growth.

    Rasanath Dasa went from being an investment banker on Wall Street to being a monk of the Bhakti tradition. He draws his spiritual wisdom from a wide range of personal experiences. [www.gitanyc.com]

     
  • Cheryl Bigus
    Cheryl Bigus Cheryl Bigus truth seeker. voice attendant. nurturing teacher.

    Cheryl Bigus works with women who've neglected their well-being. She helps women regain vitality and hotness in their lives without punishing themselves through diets of deprivation or extreme workouts. [www.naturalvore.com]

     
  • Richard Greene
    Richard Greene Richard Greene communications coach. author. master of charisma.

    Richard Greene, an author and international expert in the field of communication, coaches clients using powerful techniques that transform careers and lives. [www.richardgreene.org]

     
  • Ingrid Vanderveldt
    Ingrid Vanderveldt Ingrid Vanderveldt sustainability advocate. entrepreneur. fosterer.

    Ingrid Vanderveldt is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and passionate advocate of working with women to foster a more sustainable future. She consults with Fortune 500 companies on their WOMEN + GREEN initiatives. [http://ingridvanderveldt.com]

     
  • Harvey Karp
    Harvey Karp Harvey Karp pediatrician. author. parent's best friend.

    Dr. Harvey Karp is a pediatrician, child development specialist, and best-selling author. He's taught thousands of parents his secrets for making parents and children happy. [www.happiestbaby.com]

     
  • Ken Torino
    Ken Torino Ken Torino change encourager. appreciative friend. fresh starter.

    Ken Torrino is a web relations specialist for Elliman, brokers for New York City real estate. [www.elliman.com/new-york-city]

     
  • Drai
    Drai Drai designer. conscious brand manager. wild redhead.

    Drai is a priestess, song keeper, mother, wife, and artist. As founder of Wild Redhead Design, she loves to partner with folks who are making a difference. [www.myspace.com/wildredheaddesign/blog]

     
  • Gordon Neufeld
    Gordon Neufeld Gordon Neufeld developmental psychologist. synthesizer. door opener.

    Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist with 40 years of experience with children and youth and those responsible for them. [www.gordonneufeld.com]

     
  • Joan Steffend
    Joan Steffend Joan Steffend brilliance advocate. student of nature. peaceful storyteller.

    Joan loves people and their stories. She's been working on hers for a long time and shares it in books, speeches, and through her inner peace organization. [www.peacebeginswithme.org]

     
  • Jay Jaboneta
    Jay Jaboneta Jay Jaboneta fundraiser. education advocate. school bus reinventor.

    Jay Jaboneta is the Fire Starter and Chief Storyteller of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Inc. They build boats for children in the Philippines who would otherwise swim to school. [www.jayjaboneta.com]

     
  • Alison Armstrong
    Alison Armstrong Alison Armstrong clever collaborator. supportive woman. gender applauder.

    Alison Armstrong is a nationally-known educator and expert on understanding men and the CEO and co-founder of PAX Programs Inc. She created the widely acclaimed Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women workshop. [www.understandmen.com]

     
  • Melissa Bradley
    Melissa Bradley Melissa Bradley grateful mom. connector. flexible traveler.

    Melissa Bradley is the founder of Indagare, a member-based online community for sophisticated travelers, providing access to curated online archives, printed guides, and custom advisory and booking services. [www.indagare.com]

     
  • John Thomas
    John Thomas John Thomas history explorer. renaissance man. moral contributor.

    Law professor, writer, film and record producer, musician, and creative risk taker, John Thomas recently penned Kalamazoo Gals which tells the hidden story of the women who built Gibson's WWII guitars. [www.kalamazoogals.com]

     
  • Sheena Iyengar
    Sheena Iyengar Sheena Iyengar amused mom. choice expert. systematic investigator.

    Sheena Iyengar is a world-renowned expert on choice. Her insights are invaluable to businesses, and to every individual trying to make positive and lasting changes in their lives. [www.sheenaiyengar.com]

     
  • Jason Womack
    Jason Womack Jason Womack balance guru. teacher. fortune cookie writer.

    Jason Womack provides practical methods for maximizing tools, systems, and processes to achieve quality work/life balance. He's worked with leaders and executives for over 16 years in the business and education sectors. [www.womackcompany.com]

     
  • Alexis Shepperd
    Alexis Shepperd Alexis Shepperd Life Coach. Authentic Relationship Builder.

    Alexis Shepperd, Ph.D., is a life coach and co-founder of the Authentic Woman Experience, dedicated to passionate romantic relationships, sisterhood, and every woman's birthright to adore her life. [www.authenticwomanexperience.com]

     
  • Mikey Scott
    Mikey Scott Mikey Scott life by me’er. comedian. pretty thankful guy.

    Life By Me’s Content Editor, Mikey Scott, gets to hear stories from people around the world creating meaningful (and pretty darn fun) lives for themselves. And he thinks that’s pretty neat. [www.mikeyscott.com]

     
  • Ed and Deb Shapiro
    Ed and Deb Shapiro Ed and Deb Shapiro bloggers. meditators. partners.

    Ed and Deb Shapiro are weekly bloggers on Oprah.com/spirit, HuffingtonPost.com/living and Care2.com, and are the authors of BE THE CHANGE: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. [www.edanddebshapiro.com]

     
  • Kimberly Brooks
    Kimberly Brooks Kimberly Brooks color mixer. mother. naked explorer.

    Kimberly Brooks is a contemporary American painter who exhibits internationally. Her studio is in Venice, California. [www.kimberlybrooks.com]

     
  • Pete Carroll
    Pete Carroll Pete Carroll seahawk leader. sporty spirit. fun seeker.

    Pete Carroll is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and inspired Winforever, a system of success for those who compete to maximize their potential in sports, entertainment, philanthropy, business, and life. [www.winforever.com]

     
  • Danielle LaPorte
    Danielle LaPorte Danielle LaPorte innovator. fire starter. napper.

    Danielle LaPorte is an inspirational speaker, former think tank exec and business strategist. Over a million visitors have visited her site for her straight-up advice on spirituality. [www.daniellelaporte.com]

     
  • Steve Robertson
    Steve Robertson Steve Robertson transmedia philanthropist. music enthusiast. peace crusader.

    Steve Robertson is the founder and CEO of Project Peace On Earth, a music, entertainment ,and transmedia company producing inspirational content that benefits a variety of worldwide charitable causes. [www.Project-PeaceOnEarth.org]

     
  • More

Connection


© 2010-2023 lifebyme.com. All rights reserved. (design by nodethirtythree)