The Mindful Self

12/14/2025

Feeling deeply grateful and honored to have co-lead the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC)’s annual year-end retreat where we had participants from 106 COUNTRIES!! I think this may have been a record for me!

This was extra special as it was also the death anniversary of my favorite poet, Rumi.
Mevlana Jalaludin Rumi was a 13th century Sufi poet and mystic who inspired the well known Whirling Dervishes who have transformed physical meditation into a true art form using poetry, music, dance, and singing into an Awakening.

Poetry is a huge part of who I am, my being, my soul. Especially poetry combined with music can shift us to another dimension of resonance and transformation.

With this inspiration, I lead a talk on Inter-being and a Somatic Gratitude practice bringing together the elements of nature, embodiment, poetry and the teaching of Rumi.

12/09/2025

Join me this Saturday for a FREE 3-hour Year-End Renewal Retreat, Resting in Compassion, Joy & Community. We have a wonderful line of teachers such as Dr. Chris Germer who is the co-developer of the MSC and SCS program and bestselling author of Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout and The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion. Here is the information:

Saturday 12/13/25 10-1pm central or 8-11am pacific

1. Chris Germer
2. Laila Narsi
3. David Teitelman

Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5BYGExO4sGlfAz3ntFKEOYgOTY6LCuvu1mjZ8XzhauHkviQ/viewform

Or click in my bio to register and get more details.

See then!!

12/05/2025

It’s so easy for the mind to lock onto what went wrong: grades, social media, inner-critic, criticism from others,…

Self-Compassion is not about pretending those things do not hurt. It is about noticing your pain, responding with kindness instead of criticism, and remembering you are not the only one who feels this way.

In this post, you will find 3 simple ways to use gratitude to support your self-compassion practice without forcing yourself to be positive all the time.

Swipe through and see which practice feels most helpful for you today.

Special thanks to .bluth for graphics and content

11/19/2025

I’m honored to be invited by the University of Houston to teach a 4-part series on Trauma and Dissociation to the Graduate College of Social Workers. This is a great learning opportunity not only those in academia but also professionals, students, those that suffer from trauma and dissociation or if you are simply curious.

I’ll be covering the following workshop topics:

✨ Trauma & Dissociation:Introduction to Working with Adults on October 03, 2025 from 9-12pm central

✨ Understanding Shame and Self-Compassion on November 20, 2025 from 9-12pm central

✨ Assessment and Treatment Interventions with Adults on February 06, 2026 from 9-12pm central

✨ Building Resilience and Prevention Burnout for Professionals on April 17, 2026 from 9-12pm

During each workshop, you’ll be learning about the latest research, assessment, building skills, intervention, as well as experiential practices that you can share with clients or use for yourself.

To register, simply visit my website at themindfulself.com

11/18/2025

A place where light meets purpose. Where geometry whispers stories of harmony, and every courtyard invites reflection.

The Ismaili Center Houston rises as a space of dialogue, culture, and connection. A sanctuary designed not merely to be seen, but to be felt.

Here, tradition and modernity walk side by side, inviting us to gather, learn, and celebrate our shared humanity.
Where architecture becomes a prayer in form, and where water, stone, and light engage in a quiet and timeless conversation.

Crafted with precision, engineered with intention, and shaped by landscapes that breathe serenity into every step, the Center stands as a masterpiece of thoughtful design. From refined geometry to courtyards rooted in enduring tradition, every pathway, garden, and structural line opens a doorway to reflection.

A place where engineering meets elegance, where nature softens architecture, and where community funds its home.

During the November 6, 2025 Opening, His Highness the Aga Khan reminded us that the Center is more than a building, it is a place for learning, dialogue, and service, embodying values of compassion, humility, and community.

A loving invitation to nurture understanding and elevate the human spirit.

I’m excited to share that today, November 17th, was the first official opening for daily prayers and events. What a blessing. ❤️

Credits:

Photos: Work of Art - Fahim Somani

Principal Architect:
Landscape Architect:
Engineer:
Houston Architect Team Partner:

11/15/2025

My face is beet red, asthma inhaler in hand, sweaty as heck … EXCITED to finish my first 5k run/walk in well over a decade!
This was extra special for me since I let go of the idea of run/walk a while ago due to a hip injury, couple of autoimmune disorders, plus asthma.
Then last month I saw His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V run his first marathon (we are exactly the same age). Then last weekend I had the honor of seeing him for Didar and opening of the new Ismaili Center Houston.
In addition, I’ve seen the progression of Parkinson’s Disease on a couple of my own patients over the years and how they feel caged in their bodies. I’ve also watched my “teenage heart throb” Michael J Fox suffer for years.
So just 5 days ago I signed up!! Extremely empowered, I’ve already signed up for another 5k in a couple of weeks. This will hopefully be just the first of many races that I compete in as I continue to care for my body, mind, spirit. 🧡

THANK YOU to all those that donated over $1,000 to on my behalf! Start saving so you can donate a lot more in the future! 😉

11/10/2025

UPDATE: EXCEDED DONATION GOAL! Thanks!

Hello Friends! I’m doing the 5k THIS Saturday November 15th to raise donatations and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research, inspired by 2 of my patients! Please support me by donating a few dollars (can do it Anonymously too). Below is the link, gratitudein advance ❤️

Join me in raising donations for research on Parkinson's disease

10/07/2025

A few days ago, after seeing back to back patients, I thought I would quickly glance at my Facebook to check in with friends.
Thats when I saw my friend’s post announcing the passing away of one of my idols, Dr. Jane Goodall. Deeply moved, I’ve written a blog not only of my personal experience, but also her impactful teachings on HOPE. I think we all can use some hope right now.
If you have a few minutes, please have a read. See if it resonates inside. 💖

https://themindfulself.com/janegoodal

It was extremely late at night in 2019 when I got off the plane in Nairobi, Kenya. Seated next to me was the incredible Dr. Jane Goodall.

10/04/2025

“Trauma is not what happens to you. But what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you. In other words, trauma is not the event itself, but the psychological and emotional impact it leaves on an individual. It is a wound that is created within the mind and body, causing lasting effects.” -Dr. Gabor Mate

Feeling grateful to have taught a workshop on Trauma and Dissociation with adults. There are so many intricate ways that “Large T” and “small t” trauma affect millions of individuals and their families creating a cascade of mental, physical, emotional, social, developmental, … illnesses not only lasting for years but often for generations.

I was delighted to teach mental health professionals at my alama mater, University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work about PTSD, CPTSD, and various Dissociative Disorders.

If you may be interested in learning more, I’ll be virtually teaching the following topics and dates over the next few months:

Trauma & Dissociation: Understanding Shame and Self-Compassion
November 7, 2025 9-12pm central

Trauma & Dissociation: Assessment and Treatment Interventions With Adults
February 6, 2026 9-12pm central

Trauma & Dissociation: Building Resilience and Preventing Burnout for Professionals
April 17, 2026 9-12pm central

Please visit the link in my profile to register or visit my website themindfulself.com

10/02/2025

It was a chill late night in 2019 when we practically jumped off our plane to grab the quickly filling shuttle bus that would take us into Nairobi. I was there as a Trauma Psychotherapist for my second humanitarian service trip to work with severely violated teens suffering from CPTSD.
It was on that shuttle that Jane and I sat together, passionately talking about the similarities of our work. The only difference was, my clients were humans and hers were chimpanzees.
Yet our therapeutic intentions were the same, to try our clients with Acceptance, Nurture, Connection and Compassion to foster healing! 💖
It was as if i could hear her wisdom and fierce kindness simply from how she spoke of her passions. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with in great length with one of my hero. Dr.Jane Goodall!

In the life of 91 years, she has done incredible work for women’s rights, animals, and environment that will changes generations to come

May she rest in eternal peace. Ameen. 🙏🏼💚❤️

09/27/2025

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind”. -unknown source

In this month’s blog, I decided to tap into my courage, open my heart, and share a deeply personal time from my childhood. The blog is called “My Gratitude Story”.

To read my story, please visit my website at themindfulself.com/my-gratitude-story/