Exploring the Connection Between Non-Sleep Deep Rest and Mindfulness

Dear Resurface Community,

Welcome back to our newsletter. We’re thrilled to share that we’ve just returned from the vibrant landscapes of Morocco, where we successfully facilitated our Resilience and Flow Retreat. This transformative experience was designed to help participants cultivate resilience and achieve a state of flow.

In this edition, we delve into the world of Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) and mindfulness. Our featured article explores these powerful practices and their benefits for mental clarity and stress reduction.

We’re also pleased to recommend “Dopamine Nation” by Anna Lembke, a compelling read that examines the balance between pleasure and pain in our dopamine-driven society.

And for our music enthusiasts, we’ve included Teenage Birdsong from Four Tet’s “Sixteen Oceans”. Let the ambient sounds transport you to a serene state of mind.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being a part of our community.

NSDR and Mindfulness

The ocean's waves taught me the power of "forced mindfulness" - when surfing, you must be fully present or wipeout. This immersive presence unlocked a lightbulb moment: we can use activities that induce flow states to revolutionize personal growth. At Resurface, we're on a mission to help millions ride the wave to enhanced wellbeing through our science-backed formula. While others nudge, we immerse fully in flow. Where others inspire, we ignite the spark for lasting change. This isn't just theory - our programs provide the activities and coaching for real transformation. We force the mindful presence that unlocks peak performance in work and life. Are you ready to catch the wave and soar? Join us to experience the power of forced mindfulness and presence your way to mastery and a life on fire by riding the flow state wave with Resurface.

Building upon our previous discussion regarding the relationship between surfing and mindfulness, where surfing was seen as a form of "forced mindfulness," let us now delve into the correlation between Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), a fundamental practice of The Resurface Method, and mindfulness. In fact, we propose that by enhancing our overall mindfulness skills, we improve our ability to respond when we are compelled to be fully present.

Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) serves as a form of meditation that involves profound relaxation and visualization. It has been found to offer numerous benefits for learning, including

Improved focus and concentration. NSDR helps refine focus and concentration by training the mind to remain calm and centred in the present moment. This aspect proves beneficial in seeking to absorb new information effectively.

Enhanced memory: Through the promotion of the creation of fresh neural pathways, NSDR aids in the enhancement of memory. This empowers students to retain and recall learned material more easily.

Increased creativity: NSDR fosters the flow of ideas, thereby bolstering one’s creative power. This aspect proves advantageous in generating new concepts and ideas for projects or assignments.

Reduced stress: NSDR contributes to stress reduction by inducing relaxation and diminishing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. By alleviating stress, this practice helps one to learn more efficiently, as it minimizes distractions and allows an ability to concentrate fully on the subject matter at hand.

By engaging in deep relaxation and visualization, practitioners develop an enhanced ability to be fully present and attentive. This newfound mindfulness carries over into other aspects of life, enabling individuals to respond effectively when faced with situations that demand their immediate presence.

As we expand our understanding of the relationship between NSDR and mindfulness, we recognize the potential for personal growth and cognitive development. By incorporating NSDR into our lives, we can strengthen our capacity for focused learning, improved memory retention, heightened creativity, and reduced stress. This practice ultimately empowers us to navigate the educational journey with greater ease and effectiveness.

Note: The Resurface Method is an innovative approach that utilizes NSDR as a foundational activity. It is designed to facilitate personal growth and cognitive development.

Upcoming Retreats

December 3rd - 10th - EMDR Intensive - Hawaii, USA

December 13th to 19th - EMDR Intensive - LA, USA
Jan 27th - Feb 3rd - Trauma Resolution - Morocco

March 16th - 23rd 2024, Resilience and Flow - Morocco
April 13th to 20th 2024 - Trauma Resolution - Sri Lanka

April 20th to 27th - Resilience and Flow - Sri Lanka

Listen to: Four Tet’s Teenage Birdsong

Dopamine Nation

All around us people are looking at their phones too much, eating too much, drinking too much. Our world is addicted to fleeting distracting pleasures that get us nowhere. Dr Anna Lembke provides a clear way back to a balanced life.

This book is about pleasure. It's also about pain. Most importantly, it's about how to find the delicate balance between the two, and why now more than ever finding balance is essential. We're living in a time of unprecedented access to high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli: drugs, food, news, gambling, shopping, gaming, texting, sexting, Facebooking, Instagramming, YouTubing, tweeting... The increased numbers, variety, and potency is staggering. The smartphone is the modern-day hypodermic needle, delivering digital dopamine 24/7 for a wired generation. As such we've all become vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption.

In Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain...and what to do about it. Condensing complex neuroscience into easy-to-understand metaphors, Lembke illustrates how finding contentment and connectedness means keeping dopamine in check. The lived experiences of her patients are the gripping fabric of her narrative. Their riveting stories of suffering and redemption give us all hope for managing our consumption and transforming our lives. In essence, Dopamine Nation shows that the secret to finding balance is combining the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery.

'Dr Anna Lembke is a whiz on why we get hooked on things - and how we can enjoy pleasurable things in healthier doses.' - The Guardian

Are you sensing the inner urge to unleash peak performance, both in yourself and those around you? Come and be a part of our movement - just click here to explore Resurface and delve into our scientifically-proven formula for fostering enduring transformation.

In our programs, you will acquire the ability to:

• Access flow states at will,

• Attain mastery through mindful presence,

• Lead your life with authenticity and compassion,

• Release the shackles of the past and embrace the present moment.

We invite you to stay connected on our social platforms and we look forward to hearing from you.

With gratitude Josh and the Resurface team.