Links to Other Sites with Collections of Practices

Here are a few sites that have useful collections of generative practices around particular themes. Many of these have spiritual roots; all can be used in secular applications for self-development and for use with clients of any spiritual or religious persuasion. Please remember that any presence-based coaching program will most likely include both some work with generative (ontological) practices, and will also include fieldwork related to the client’s particular professional commitments.

The nature of the practice links offered here should not be interpreted as implying that coaching necessarily has a spiritual focus. The truth is, however, that accelerated development of leaders requires a level of introspection and self-knowledge for which contemplative, reflective, and body/mind practices are admirably suited.

Gratefulness.org has a wonderful collection of gratitude practices, maintained by David Steindl-Rast, a former monk and the creator of this site. 

Charlie Badenhop is an American, living in Japan, who has created Seishindo as an integration of somatics, the martial art of aikido, and self-awareness work. The Seishindo site has a nice collection of practices relevant to embodied leadership.

Yoga for the Mind and Heart has some nice basic practices for mindfulness, body awareness, and accessing the heart. Clear instructions oriented to beginners. 

The Practice of Leadership site has a collection of short lists of leadership principles and practices. Scrolling down this long page will reveal some ideas from some great thinkers about leadership. While some are not strictly practices, there are some thought-provoking lists.

The Emoclear website has an extensive collection of practices for working with emotions and emotional states. Some of these are more therapeutic in focus; I include this list because of the range of possibilities that are offered here.

A site from the University of Missouri Mindfulness Practice Center has a good set of audio links for instruction in mindfulness practice and for bringing awareness into the body. Based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, the site even has several videos of yoga practices that can be done at your desk in less than five minutes. 

Another Kabat-Zinn inspired program, the Duke Health organization has a brief article on bringing mindfulness into daily life. This medically researched methodology can have tremendous beneficial effects on both health and enjoyment. This is a good starter. 

The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society has a lovely site that includes brief descriptions of practices from a number of traditions. These include movement and mindfulness practices. The Center conducted a research study from 2001-2004 that explored the applications of practices in group and organizational settings, and in connecting people with a larger purpose. Stories from their anecdotal research findings are also on the site. 

Shambhala Sun is a prominent Buddhist periodical, and hosts an excellent collection of meditation instructions and articles about meditation. None of these practices require a belief in Buddhism to be effective.

If you know of other high quality collections of practices, please email us and we will consider adding them to this page.