Writings
Visit Russell Delman's Archive of articles, guided meditations, and general guidance for living in presence. Russell Delman's Embodied Life™ Newsletter goes back to 2011 and is a virtual treasure trove of spiritual and practical information. The wisdom in these writings will not only help the teachers and healers that Russell has taught but anyone looking for a fresh perspective on how to live an Embodied Life™.
Russell Delman's Most Recent Writings
What does it mean to be intimate with our life? In many ways this is the essence of Zen. .... (read more)
Q: What is the connection between embodiment and freedom? Russell Delman: Understanding this connection goes toward the essence .... (read more)
Early in my Feldenkrais practice I was confounded by a paradoxical observation about pain and suffering. Sometimes I would work with someone who was struggling to regain function after a debilitating stroke or some other life-altering situation. .... (read more)
She was about 45 years old and claimed that she could not meditate. She had tried a few times in the past but meditation was impossible for her because her mind was just too busy. I asked her if she thought meditation was a form of mind control. She said "of course".... (read more)
One of the frequent phrases attached to The Embodied Life teachings is "Freedom Through Awareness". Rather than a philosophical idea, freedom here suggests the possibility of new behavior, and fresh responses to familiar situations.... (read more)
In the previous newsletter, I introduced a new practice for 2018 in which we will focus on 6 virtues or qualities that are essential for developing our humanity. For the morning meditation, my commitment and invitation is to practice for 6 uninterrupted hours of sitting and walking meditation, from 6:00 am to 12:00pm. As always, you are... (read more)
To paraphrase Gautama Buddha, "when we create thoughts of vengeance, blame and anger, two beings are poisoned and the one generating these thoughts eats the poison first." Blame is accusing others for our current... (read more)
Embodied Meditation has its roots in the Zen practice called Shikantaza or "just sitting". The main intention is to become intimate with our experience of being alive in the present moment. Rather than "mind control, the emphasis is on a gentle orientation... (read more)
For seven years, I have been sharing a practice in which we meditate continuously for many hours. Last Sunday, the day consisted of two, five-hour periods of sitting and walking meditation, dedicated in gratitude, to our oneness with the earth. People ask me, why ten hours in a... (read more)
I don't know! Somewhere between: "It is all too much" and "Just say 'yes'!" A cry rings out: Earthquakes, Fires, Floods, Hurricanes How do the birds sing? After bows this morning dawn subtly shimmers, a gray-white light Each breath a... (read more)
The following is a well-known Talmudic tale beloved by Moshe Feldenkrais involving two famous rabbis: A non-Jewish man approached Rabbi Shammai and said to him: "Convert me but first teach me the entire Torah as I stand on one foot." Shammai, feeling that he was not serious, sternly... (read more)
What is the cause of violence in this world? Looking broadly at both personal and international events, some kind of limited, partial self-identity is at the root of most violence. By identity, I am conflating a broad range of categories: those fixed at... (read more)
Life knows Life THROUGH human beings like you and me. From an evolutionary perspective 1) inert matter became alive, capable of reproducing itself, 2) life became sentient, capable of feeling, 3) sentient life became conscious with beginning capacities for caring and... (read more)
Visit Russell Delman's Archive of articles, guided meditations, and general tips for humility.