Mindfulness Matters

Mindfulness Matters

Bio

Recognized as an innovator in the field of mindfulness-based psychology, Dr. Arnie Kozak is northern New England's leading expert in the field. Dr. Kozak's ability to translate ancient healing traditions into pragmatic applications suitable for modern lifestyles through the use of metaphors have made him a strong voice in healthcare and business.

Beginning with a journey to India in the 80’s where he took the Bodhisattva vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Arnie Dr. Kozak began his lifelong practice in mindfulness meditation. Intent on finding a way to bring the practical healing attributes of mindfulness he began incorporating these techniques in his private practice. In 2002 Dr. Kozak created Exquisite Mind in Burlington, Vermont as a vehicle that could expand his wisdom to larger audiences beyond individual psychotherapy to professionals and corporations, health care providers, public groups and, most recently with Exquisite Mind Golf, amateur and professional golfers. His award-winning new book, Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness (Wisdom Publications, 2009) is a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring translation of mindfulness practice through the inventive use of metaphor applicable to our daily lives.

In addition to his work with Exquisite Mind, Arnie Kozak, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist—Doctorate has been a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Vermont and is a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine. He has studied and practiced clinical psychology, meditation, and yoga for more than 25 years. He has studied with several meditation masters, including S. N. Goenka, Larry Rosenberg, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After receiving his bachelors degree with honors from Tufts University, he was awarded a Presidential Fellowship to get his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University at Buffalo. He completed his training as a Psychological Fellow at the Harvard Medical School. Prior to founding the Exquisite Mind in 2002, Arnie worked ten years in the private sector for the PKC Corporation consulting on mental health content for this revolutionary software company.

Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens and Macho Masters

posted by Dr. Arnie Kozak

In Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens and Macho Masters Grace Schireson tells the untold story of women in Zen. The unfortunate truth is that the history of Buddhism is not one of gender equality. While the Buddha did finally [...]

Matthieu Ricard on the habits of happiness (TED talks)

posted by Dr. Arnie Kozak

“Buddha in Glory” by Rainer Marie Rilke

posted by Dr. Arnie Kozak

You will find the poet Rainer Maria Rilke showing up on mindfulness teaching poetry lists. Here is his poem, “Buddha in Glory” Center of all centers, core of cores, almond self-enclosed and growing sweet – all this universe, to the [...]

Metaphors for Mindfulness: Why do you think metaphor is such a powerful tool for clarifying and encouraging mindfulness?

posted by Dr. Arnie Kozak

Robert Frost warned, “Unless you are at home in the metaphor, unless you have had your proper poetical education in the metaphor, you are not safe anywhere.” And it’s not just poetic metaphors; metaphors are everywhere in our language in [...]

Previous Posts

What's Right With America is Wrong with America
People love to hate New Jersey. In Vermont, we have bumper stickers that say "Don't Jersey Vermont." I did most of my growing up in the Garden State and recently spent some time there. It is a place of contradictions to be certain. Where I was, there is high population density and a culture orien

posted 3:18:46pm May. 20, 2013 | read full post »

Participate in Your Own Rescue
One of my students shared a story. A friend of hers was on a whitewater rafting trip in Colorado. During the trip, one of the people in the raft fell out into the river. He floundered around passively while the guide attempted to steer the raft towards him. The guide offered assistance but the man r

posted 2:36:59pm May. 05, 2013 | read full post »

Free the Mind: A New Documentary on Mindfulness
I had the great pleasure of reviewing the new film by Danish filmmaker, Phie Ambo: Free the Mind. It's a beautiful and compelling film about how mindfulness can help us to overcome fear and heal from trauma. It features of the work of pioneering neuroscientist, Richard Davidson at the University of

posted 5:26:16pm May. 01, 2013 | read full post »

Polly Young-Eisendrath: Getting Free Of Self-Importance Is The Key To Happiness
My dharma friend and sister, Polly Young-Eisendrath presented at the TEDx Conference at Middlebury College. The theme of the conference was "The Road not Taken." Polly is a world renown author, Jungian analyst, and integrator of Western psychology and Buddhist practice. You can learn more about P

posted 7:00:04am Apr. 25, 2013 | read full post »

Military Mindfulness
The following is a guest blog post by one of the current students in my Mindfulness in Health Care course at the University of Vermont, Melinda Rouille. She is a therapist at a local veteran's clinic. Something that we all share in this world is pain, sickness and death. While some of us learn how

posted 9:07:38am Apr. 22, 2013 | read full post »


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