TITLE: Heightened Awareness

During times of stress it is important to first focus our attention on the present, then HEIGHTEN OUR AWARENESS of how our heart-mind and body are responding to the situation, followed by calming ourselves, resolving destructive emotions such as bias, ego, greed and anger, summoning wisdom, and finally responding with compassion. Mastering this sequential set of skills is central to maintaining our health while simultaneously increasing our effectiveness at helping others. This process is key to living a balanced life and experience true happiness.

I spent a significant amount of time in Bhutan with this Buddhist Lama who radiated calmness and compassion guided by wisdom. From my perspective he exemplified this six-step process.

AUTHOR: jon kolkin (United States)

Jon Kolkin, M.D. is recognized on a national and international level as an artist, physician, health coach, humanitarian, philanthropist, mentor, and speaker on topics related to art, stress reduction, and life balance. His artistic projects tend to focus on themes that are relevant to achieving greater physical and emotional well-being, often serving as a springboard for conversation during exhibitions and presentations.

Jon’s artwork has been featured in numerous solo gallery and museum exhibitions worldwide. As an example, the Inner Harmony series had its international debut as a solo exhibition at The Dalai Lama’s World Headquarters in Dharamsala, India, followed by an exhibition at the India International Centre (IIC) Gallery in New Delhi, sponsored by the Dalai Lama Foundation, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, and the IIC. Inner Harmony then traveled to Bhutan, followed by a solo, multi-sensory, interactive, 5-room exhibition at the St. Louis University Museum of Art.

Jon’s photography has won numerous awards and been featured in many prestigious magazines. His artwork is held in private and corporate collections worldwide. Clients include Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, Bank of America, Ritz Carleton Hotels, and others.

He has served on the faculty of the prestigious Maine Media Workshops and is a frequent guest lecturer at conferences, major universities, and other venues worldwide. Presentations often center on topics such as, “Life Balance for Busy Professionals”, “The Creative Process” and “Strategies for Creating a Successful Portfolio”.

He both initiated and co-chaired the Dalai Lama - North American Museum Summit, "Fostering Compassion & Universal Ethics Thru Museums", the Dalai Lama - City of Raleigh initiative, and the State of North Carolina’s Museum Compassion Initiative. He presently leads the international, traveling, museum exhibition project, The ART of COMPASSION.