by Nalanda Institute with an excerpt from Lama Rod Owens
The new edition of Advances in Contemplative Psychotherapy: Accelerating Personal and Social Transformation offers mental health professionals of all disciplines and orientations the most comprehensive and rigorous introduction to the art of integrating contemplative psychology, ethics and practices, including mindfulness, compassion and embodiment techniques. New chapters within this edition discuss how contemplative work can affect psychosocial change at the personal, interpersonal, and collective levels to address racial, gender and other forms of systemic oppression. As a glimpse into how contemplative work can support these individual and collective transformations, below is an excerpt from one of the chapters from this new edition, written by guest contributor, Lama Rod Owens.
by Geri Loizzo
‘Cause it’s summer / Summertime is here / Yes it’s summer
My time of year / Yes it’s summer / My time of year
“Summer” by War
As I step into the warmer months and longer days here in the northern hemisphere, a song frequently heard on the radio waves, back in the 1970’s comes to mind, Summer by the funk rock fusion band War. It’s a song with a groove that evokes pleasure — riding around with the car window down, hearing your favorite songs, stretching out on a blanket in the sand, seeing children play in the street with the fire hydrant open, and feeling the balmy breeze on your face. The somatic experiences of summer can be so expansive and at the same time, grounded in warmth.