Change starts from within…
Our world’s challenges can’t be solved from our traumatized and separate viewpoints. But from an elevated awareness and interconnected level of being, change is possible! This starts with individuals taking steps toward their own self-awareness, and expands as these insights ripple through communities and societies.
Open Quiet’s mission is to awaken the heart-centered collective awareness, and experiential sense of connection that resides within each of us, one enlightened perspective at a time. Weaving together the threads of our interconnected hearts, to create a tapestry of unity that inspires compassion, collective creation, and a brighter future for humanity and the world around us.
This is achieved by returning to our true nature, the supportive ground of awareness, and the compassionate authentic Self we were born as. It’s here within each of us, we just need to be reminded how to experience it. Through mindfulness practices and inner “parts” wisdom to heal wounds and return to wholeness, we can reconnect to our natural well-being, creativity and flow.
Laila Gislason, Founder
My own exploration of consciousness began early in life through meditation, psychedelics, and various non-ordinary states, and has gradually unfolded into a sustained awe and wonder for our interconnected universe (“you-inverse”) that is rooted in both science and the sacred.
I am a Certified Mindfulness & Meditation Teacher through The Awareness Training Institute and the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. I am a 20+ year practicing meditator, a longtime student of Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Anam Thubten, and any wise sages whose ancient texts I can get my hands on, particularly Dzogchen Indo-Tibetan Buddhist and Bon teachings. I’ve studied intensively with student of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Loch Kelly, author and psychotherapist, to integrate his nondual Effortless Mindfulness style of teaching, valued for its direct and experiential approach to realizing the nature of reality.
My career spanned various strategic marketing and leadership roles working with nonprofits, startups, and Fortune 100 companies, in the automotive, space and wellness industries, most recently the Mindful Glimpses app. I am currently an MSW candidate at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.
The concept of the “heart-mind”…. often appears in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, referring to a unified and integrated understanding of the self that includes both intellectual and emotional dimensions. It often implies a balanced and harmonious state of being where cognitive and emotional aspects work together rather than being seen as separate or conflicting elements.
What is nondual mindfulness?
Nondual mindfulness is a practice that emphasizes the awareness of an inseparable, interconnected reality, where the usual distinctions between the observer and the observed, or between self and others, begin to dissolve. It often involves cultivating a direct, non-conceptual awareness of the eternal now without attaching to dualistic perceptions. This approach aims to transcend the usual dichotomies and distinctions, fostering a sense of unity and oneness.
It has roots in Eastern philosophies, such as Advaita Vedanta, Sutra Mahamudra, and Dzogchen in Tibetan Buddhism. In the West, nondual mindfulness has gained popularity among those interested in the intersection of spirituality and psychology. It transcends specific religious contexts.
How is nondual mindfulness different?
Nondual mindfulness and traditional mindfulness share the common foundation of cultivating awareness and presence, but they differ in their emphasis and approach:
Traditional mindfulness like Vipassana practices often involve focused attention on the breath, bodily sensations, or external stimuli. The aim is to observe thoughts and sensations without attachment or judgment. It may focus on impermanence, suffering, and the nature of thoughts.
Nondual mindfulness emphasizes recognizing the inherent nature of the already awake awareness itself, going beyond the observer-observed duality. It may involve directly pointing to the nature of mind or consciousness. It explores the dissolution of the sense of a separate self and the recognition of a more expansive, interconnected reality and ground of being.
It's important to note that mindfulness practices exist on a spectrum, and individual approaches may blend elements of both traditional and nondual mindfulness. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on personal inclination, spiritual orientation, and the desired goals.
Live with an open heart and a quiet mind.
Ready to awaken change?
Interested in working together? Tell me more and I will be in touch shortly. Looking forward to connecting!