I finally finished reading your post, and I've decided to give you a propotional response. So watch out.

I read Dr. Goleman's Emotional Intelligence while I was working at Verizon. My boss knew it would be something that interested me, so he suggested it. In summary, it was a truly eye-opening read. You did a great job of summarizing some of his ideas – not an easy task.

I am going to have to check out Dr. Davidson. He sounds like my kinda dude.

In yoga, we discuss the idea of “moving meditation” all the time. We are encouraged to find our center as we move through our lives – remembering our breathe as we drive to work, focusing on the task at hand, etc. We are encouraged to bring our yoga with us, even when we are not doing to asanas (poses) associated with the practice.

I've also heard people refer to running as a kind of “mobile meditation.” You just get in the zone and stay there, working out whatever needs to be worked out.

I practice meditation daily (sometimes while you are in the shower…haha) and I've noticed a signficant change in my approach to life in general since I've started doing it. I've only been doing it on a daily basis for a little over a year, but it has had long-lasting effects upon my body and mind. I feel like I panic less. I feel like I am more reasonable with my decisions. Most importantly (at least to me), it is helping me control my IBS (web md it for the uninitiated). It has truly changed my life, and I am so thankful for it. It's important to pause sometimes and absorb what is happening. I love it.

As for the “learning to love the pain” thing, I agree with that, too. It's almost like you understand why it's happening, so you're not so upset when it happens. It's like you realize that the result is greater than the pain you experiencing currently, so why complain?

We should go to a meditation practice sometime…that would be beneficial for both of us