Mindfulness Off the Cushion

Introducing Dr Richard W. Sears | Season 2 Intro

March 01, 2022 Episode 23
Mindfulness Off the Cushion
Introducing Dr Richard W. Sears | Season 2 Intro
Show Notes

Season 2 with Dr Richard Sears -We’re kicking off season two of Mindfulness Off the Cushion podcast - and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be joined by a special guest for the entirety of the season. 

The mission of our podcast is to provide pragmatic, concise, and practical information for everyday folks who are looking for tools to manage the stress and anxiety of life. We apply mindfulness as a skillset that anyone can learn and in turn, apply in their own lives, to drive this mission forward. Ideally, we aim to do so with a bit of the clarity and wisdom that comes from putting this thing called mindfulness into practice - which is exactly why we think you’ll find our special guest to be a very welcome addition to the podcast. 

So, who is this mystery guest? Allow us to introduce you to Dr. Richard Sears. We’ll take some time in this episode to get acquainted, and to let Dr. Sears dig into some of the richly layered life experiences that have led him to become a major contributor to the modern day mindfulness movement. 

We’ll touch on:

  • Why ‘the work is never done’
  • An extremely varied background in academics, clinical studies, and martial arts
  • What mindfulness practitioners and ninjas may have in common
  • A once in a lifetime experience with the Dalai Lama
  • Dr. Sears’ definitions of meditation vs mindfulness 
  • A practice for a busy mind
  • And more!

We hope you enjoy our season with Dr. Sears and are able to learn more helpful ways to practice mindfulness in your daily walk. Enjoy!

--

NEW! >> We would love to hear from you!


What would you like to know about mindfulness or how it can help you with the issues you are facing? Record your question for our podcast team. If your message is selected, we will answer it on the podcast!

Ask us a question on our website at https://www.austinmindfulness.org/podcast

--

Season 2 Special Guest Dr. Richard W. Sears, PsyD PhD MBA is a board-certified clinical psychologist, speaker, and consultant. He is a core faculty member of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Union Institute & University, where he is the Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is also Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor at Write State University School of Professional Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He runs a private psychology practice in Cincinnati and conducts mindfulness groups at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine.

On top of all that, Dr. Sears is a sixth degree black belt in To-Shin Do / Ninjitsu. He has studied and practiced mindfulness and the Eastern Wisdom traditions over 30 years, and was given a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University. He received ordination in the Japanese Tendai lineage, Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach kõans (inka) under Paul Wonji Lynch in the Zen lineage of Seung Sahn, and ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma. 

--

Host Lance Vaughn, co-owner of Austin Mindfulness Center and self-described ‘mindfulness student.’ 

Co-host Claudio Barrientos, Certified Mindfulness Instructor at Austin Mindfulness Center.