The time has come again for our Conscious Interview feature!
This week we have had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know Dr. Amy Saltzman, a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, scientist, wife, mother, devoted student of transformation, long-time athlete, and occasional poet. Her passion is supporting people of all ages in enhancing their wellbeing and discovering the Still Quiet Place within. She has the privilege of being recognised by her peers as a visionary and pioneer in the fields of holistic medicine and mindfulness for youth.
She has offered mindfulness to young people from pre-K to college undergrads in socioeconomically diverse school and community settings, and conducted two research studies evaluating the benefits of teaching mindfulness to child-parent pairs and to children in low-income elementary schools. These research projects were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Stanford University.
To support others in discovering the joy and peace of the Still Quiet Place she has written a book, A Still Quiet Place: A Mindfulness Program for Teaching Children and Adolescents to Ease Stress and Difficult Emotions, and created two CDS: Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Young Children and Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Teens.
Now sit back, relax and let Dr. Amy Saltzman take it away!
Where is home?
Menlo Park, CA
When did you first come across mindfulness / meditation?
The work of Jon Kabat-Zinn at what was then called the Stress Reduction Clinic was featured in the Bill Moyer’s series Healing and the Mind.
Describe one practice you do everyday to keep calm and centred?
Being Mindful – usually this involves 30 minutes of formal practice, and many moments of informal practice— listening, breathing, and responding to my children, husband, colleagues, friends…. pausing and appreciating a cup of tea, the fall light….
How can the business world benefit from mindfulness?
My experience is that everyone from pre-schoolers to business professionals can benefit from learning to bring their kind and curious attention to what they are thinking and feeling, what others are thinking and feeling, and then choosing their behavior, aka as responding rather than reacting.
What does ‘digital wellbeing’ mean to you?
Digital wellbeing means choosing when, where and how we use technology, noticing how our use of technology influences our thoughts, feelings moods relationships, and ultimately using technology to enhance health and wellbeing.
Do you think technology will increase or decrease wellbeing?
I think the effect of technology depends on the intention with which it is used. Intentional use of technology can enhance wellbeing. Addictive use of technology negatively impacts mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Paperback or kindle?
Kindle.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
We are perfect in our imperfection.
What is your favourite quote?
At the moment—
You didn’t come here to master unconditional love. That is where you came from and where you’ll return. You came here to learn personal love. Universal love. Messy love. Sweaty love. Crazy love. Broken love. Whole love. Infused with divinity. Lived through the grace of stumbling. Demonstrated through the beauty of… messing up. Often. You didn’t come here to be perfect. You already are. You came here to be gorgeously human. Flawed and fabulous. And then to rise again into remembering. But unconditional love? Stop telling that story. Love, in truth, doesn’t need ANY other adjectives. It doesn’t require modifiers. It doesn’t require the condition of perfection. It only asks that you show up. And do your best. That you stay present and feel fully. That you shine and fly and laugh and cry and hurt and heal and fall and get back up and play and work and live and die as YOU. It’s enough. It’s Plenty.”
~ Courtney A. Walsh
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
Here. Now.
Find out more about Dr Amy Saltzman here: www.stillquietplace.com
P.S. Whenever you are ready… here are 4 ways we can support your personal and professional Conscious Goals:
1. Access Free Live Meditations & Energy Transmissions
Inside our private Facebook Group, The Conscious Professional Mindful Community where Neil leads live weekly community events. Join now for free.
2. Learn To Meditate With Neil Seligman In Just 10 Days!
Zen in Ten, our flagship online course, is a ten-day mindfulness challenge for people who need to slow down.
3. Work With Neil One-To-One
See if a Conscious Coaching Partnership is right for you. Book a 15-minute discovery call with Neil here.
4. Bring The Conscious Professional To Your Business
See if The Conscious Professional training and coaching programmes are right for your team or workplace. Book a call here.
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