PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
TUESDAYS AT 7PM (USA-CST) VIA ZOOM
throughout the pandemic crisis
You can invite friends on Facebook here.
When then sun is clouded over in the sky, sunflowers look towards each other for the light.
Similarly, in times of darkness and difficulty we need to be able to count on one another.
Kind Mind Gatherings were started by Todd Fink as a way to bring people with open minds and hearts together around a little song, talk, guided meditation and conversation about the meaning of life.
It is an opportunity for synchronized meditation and fellowship - especially important now while many are isolated - and a way to continue building peace in our communities.
It will be open to anyone around the world via ZOOM on your phone or computer:
https://zoom.us/j/268576303
Every Tuesday at 7pm (USA - CST) throughout the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic.
suggested offering $20 (only if you can afford):
paypal: www.paypal.me/toddfink
venmo: www.venmo.com/michaeltoddfink
Theme: COURAGE THROUGH KINDNESS
We have been instructed to practice social distancing so as to interrupt the chain of infection to protect not only ourselves but those most vulnerable including our senior citizens and those with pre-existing health conditions.
But we also need tips to help us access our courage to break the chain of fear and optimize our ability to coordinate our response in the most compassionate and rational manner as many are now as scared of public panic and economic fallout as much as the virus.
Sometimes we think of calmness as the opposite of stress. But calmness is actually the absence of stress. A strong case can be made that the opposite of stress is kindness.
If we observe stress and the types of thoughts associated with it – you’ll find worry about the future and obsession around personal insecurity. Then, notice the visceral changes in the body like hormonal shifts that lead to increases in adrenaline and cortisol for fight/flight response. Cortisol, by the way, is also an immuno-suppressant!
We can easily see that kindness functions in reverse of these stress changes in the body.
Studies show that acts of kindness release the hormone oxytocin which actually helps to decrease the stress hormone cortisol and there is a scientific consensus that it modulates fear and anxiety and has anti-depressant effects as well.
Just thinking of kindness or witnessing it can produce these health benefits as evidenced in the study of what is now known as the Mother Theresa effect at Harvard University, where subjects watched videos of her carrying out acts of kind service to orphans and then experienced measurable boosts in their own immunity confirmed by analysis of saliva samples.
I extend my love and kindness to you all and especially to the sick, dying, grieving, impoverished, hungry, lonely and suffering at this time and in all times.
Looking forward to "seeing" you soon on the Zoom app.