Ever wondered how or even if, mindfulness can transform both advocacy work and personal growth? Together with my guest, Ed Heisler, a fellow advocate and mindfulness enthusiast, we unpack the critical role mindfulness plays in reducing harm and sustaining our work. Our candid discussion covers the evolving awareness of mindfulness across various fields, as well as the complex narratives surrounding family histories that hold both hurt and hope.

Join us as we journey through the paths of self-discovery, highlighting yoga and storytelling as powerful allies in healing. We reflect on the warmth and resilience found in small-town communities, cherishing the beauty of distinct seasons and the connections they cultivate. Personal anecdotes of finding joy in familiar places and the shared experiences of harsh winters and cozy cafes bring this conversation to life. Embrace the rhythm and resilience of community spirit and discover how mindfulness can bridge diverse beliefs and values, offering joy and connection in unexpected places.

Guest Bio: At the very core of his being, Ed is a storyteller and healer whose practice and teaching is rooted in curiosity, love, joyful learning with others, and his own journey with healing and spirit reconnection. With a background in violence prevention and peacemaking, Ed’s daily work focuses on nourishing individual and community connection to spirit, healing, and wholeness as a pathway to interdependent thriving for future generations–and ourselves. Ed (Koshin) Heisler was Ordained as a Rinzai Zen Priest in Anko-in, an Independent Branch Temple of Chozen-ji by Norma Ryuko Kaweloku Wong Roshi in 2022. He loves learning and sharing spirit and wholeness practices with others. Ed’s core practices include Zazen (meditation), Kado (flower arrangement), Ten Step Tai Ji, Okyo (Chanting), Shodo (Calligraphy), Reiki, and everyday storytelling that connects the depths of our wisdom, ancestors, and spirit.