Heron Payne
@heronpayne.bsky.social
I'm a mindfulness coach, counsellor and artist living the off-grid life. Learn more about my mindfulness coaching and counselling at embodymind.co. You can find my photography at www.patreon.com/landscapeart. Locate in beautiful Bridgetown, NS!
“Real change doesn’t come from trying harder. It starts with safety.” A collapse on a snowy mountain pushed me into the darkest stretch of my life—and unexpectedly into real transformation. I share how #selfacceptance and #selfcompassion helped me finally shift. Full piece: buff.ly/b2MRuXy
November 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
“Real change doesn’t come from trying harder. It starts with safety.” A collapse on a snowy mountain pushed me into the darkest stretch of my life—and unexpectedly into real transformation. I share how #selfacceptance and #selfcompassion helped me finally shift. Full piece: buff.ly/b2MRuXy
The forest burns. Thick smoke in the air. I’ve fled fire before, yet here it is again. No escape from #climatechange. Grief, guilt, anger rise, but so does tenderness. #selfcompassion is survival. Love, not fear, is what heals us—and the Earth. 🌍 buff.ly/oqGVw58 and #mindfulness #innerecology
September 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The forest burns. Thick smoke in the air. I’ve fled fire before, yet here it is again. No escape from #climatechange. Grief, guilt, anger rise, but so does tenderness. #selfcompassion is survival. Love, not fear, is what heals us—and the Earth. 🌍 buff.ly/oqGVw58 and #mindfulness #innerecology
For years, I abandoned my ideas, quitting before I'd “fail” in public. Shifting wasn't about pushing harder. It involved self-compassion. It made me stronger. More resilient. Less avoidant. Real strength is having your back when things get hard. #SelfCompassion #MindfulLeadership #PersonalGrowth
August 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM
For years, I abandoned my ideas, quitting before I'd “fail” in public. Shifting wasn't about pushing harder. It involved self-compassion. It made me stronger. More resilient. Less avoidant. Real strength is having your back when things get hard. #SelfCompassion #MindfulLeadership #PersonalGrowth
Parenting didn’t just bring out the best in me. It surfaced old patterns I was unaware of. I judged myself harshly. But shame doesn’t make us better parents. #Selfcompassion does. Read more and subscribe at buff.ly/Mq6t8b3. #parenting #innercritic #breakingcycles #doingthework #gentleparenting
July 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Parenting didn’t just bring out the best in me. It surfaced old patterns I was unaware of. I judged myself harshly. But shame doesn’t make us better parents. #Selfcompassion does. Read more and subscribe at buff.ly/Mq6t8b3. #parenting #innercritic #breakingcycles #doingthework #gentleparenting
I used to lose sleep over one awkward comment in a meeting. My #innercritic would spiral, trying to protect me from rejection with harsh words & outdated tools. This week’s post explores meeting that voice with clarity & compassion. 👉 buff.ly/gS8Kgy2 #selfcompassion #personalgrowth
July 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I used to lose sleep over one awkward comment in a meeting. My #innercritic would spiral, trying to protect me from rejection with harsh words & outdated tools. This week’s post explores meeting that voice with clarity & compassion. 👉 buff.ly/gS8Kgy2 #selfcompassion #personalgrowth
I was sad to learn the other day that #joannamacy is in hospice. I came to her teachings late but really resonated with her #ecodharma. Wishing her ease and joy for her passing and transition to whatever is next. #mindfulness #embodymind #engagedbuddhism #theworkthatreconnects
July 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I was sad to learn the other day that #joannamacy is in hospice. I came to her teachings late but really resonated with her #ecodharma. Wishing her ease and joy for her passing and transition to whatever is next. #mindfulness #embodymind #engagedbuddhism #theworkthatreconnects
Reposted by Heron Payne
"You are not a separate being. You belong to the living body of Earth. You are the Earth, looking up at the stars. You are the Earth, becoming conscious of itself." - Joanna Macy mailchi.mp/workthatreco...
♾️ A Tender Update about Joanna Macy
mailchi.mp
July 4, 2025 at 2:48 AM
"You are not a separate being. You belong to the living body of Earth. You are the Earth, looking up at the stars. You are the Earth, becoming conscious of itself." - Joanna Macy mailchi.mp/workthatreco...
Most weekends, I didn’t summit the mountain.
For years, I called that failure.
Now I call it wisdom.
New Substack: The Soul of the Climb
On self-compassion, ambition & letting the path change you.
🗻👉 buff.ly/B2BBFuP
#selfcompassion #mindfulness #personalgrowth #bskysangha
For years, I called that failure.
Now I call it wisdom.
New Substack: The Soul of the Climb
On self-compassion, ambition & letting the path change you.
🗻👉 buff.ly/B2BBFuP
#selfcompassion #mindfulness #personalgrowth #bskysangha
June 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Most weekends, I didn’t summit the mountain.
For years, I called that failure.
Now I call it wisdom.
New Substack: The Soul of the Climb
On self-compassion, ambition & letting the path change you.
🗻👉 buff.ly/B2BBFuP
#selfcompassion #mindfulness #personalgrowth #bskysangha
For years, I called that failure.
Now I call it wisdom.
New Substack: The Soul of the Climb
On self-compassion, ambition & letting the path change you.
🗻👉 buff.ly/B2BBFuP
#selfcompassion #mindfulness #personalgrowth #bskysangha
June 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Chasing self-esteem can leave us stuck. #selfcompassion offers something steadier. It’s not a shortcut—it’s a return. My latest Substack's about why kindness > constant striving. Check it out here: www.befriendingyourself.org/p/meet-self-... #mindfulness #mentalhealth #bskysangha #innercritic
June 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Chasing self-esteem can leave us stuck. #selfcompassion offers something steadier. It’s not a shortcut—it’s a return. My latest Substack's about why kindness > constant striving. Check it out here: www.befriendingyourself.org/p/meet-self-... #mindfulness #mentalhealth #bskysangha #innercritic
Just launched a new passion project! It's a Substack called Befriending Yourself—all about quieting the inner critic and learning to meet yourself with compassion instead of judgment. Get the first newsletter here: www.befriendingyourself.org/p/welcome-to... #selfcompassion #mindfulness #bskysangha
Welcome to Befriending Yourself
My new Substack newsletter is all about stories, tools, and perspectives that are helping me and others on our collective journey towards unshakeable self-compassion.
www.befriendingyourself.org
June 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Just launched a new passion project! It's a Substack called Befriending Yourself—all about quieting the inner critic and learning to meet yourself with compassion instead of judgment. Get the first newsletter here: www.befriendingyourself.org/p/welcome-to... #selfcompassion #mindfulness #bskysangha
So good to see #selfcompassion getting NYT love! 🧡 Amazing to hear from Tara Brach + her RAIN practice (core to my #befriendingyourself program) + Kristin Neff’s insights. #selfkindness isn’t soft—it’s strength. Read here: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w... #mindfulness #compassion #bskysangha
How to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself
Cultivating self-compassion can actually help you cope better with life’s struggles.
www.nytimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
So good to see #selfcompassion getting NYT love! 🧡 Amazing to hear from Tara Brach + her RAIN practice (core to my #befriendingyourself program) + Kristin Neff’s insights. #selfkindness isn’t soft—it’s strength. Read here: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w... #mindfulness #compassion #bskysangha
I've been quiet for a while. Building something. My latest read is @ralphdelarosa.bsky.social's Outshining Trauma. It's a powerful book filled with healing magic and fundamental truths like this one. So grateful! #mindfulness #meditation #ifs #traumahealing
April 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I've been quiet for a while. Building something. My latest read is @ralphdelarosa.bsky.social's Outshining Trauma. It's a powerful book filled with healing magic and fundamental truths like this one. So grateful! #mindfulness #meditation #ifs #traumahealing
The Buddha said something to the effect that people who cling to their opinions go around annoying people. But it can be much more extreme than that. Can we hold our opinions lightly? Especially those about ourselves? #mindfulness #meditation #buddhism #selfcompassion #bskysangha #pemachodron
March 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The Buddha said something to the effect that people who cling to their opinions go around annoying people. But it can be much more extreme than that. Can we hold our opinions lightly? Especially those about ourselves? #mindfulness #meditation #buddhism #selfcompassion #bskysangha #pemachodron
When we want to turn away and create bad others is the hardest and most important time to see clearly and practice #compassion. More from from #whenthingsfallapart. #pemachodron #mindfulnesss #meditation #buddhism #bskysangha
March 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
When we want to turn away and create bad others is the hardest and most important time to see clearly and practice #compassion. More from from #whenthingsfallapart. #pemachodron #mindfulnesss #meditation #buddhism #bskysangha
Reposted by Heron Payne
1. You feel powerless? Don’t know what you can do to resist the rise of fascism?
Here is an answer: Good Things.
Fascism inflicts pain and harm as a matter of doctrine.
Kindness, care and conviviality defend us from it.
The more we build community, the less it can take root.
🧵
Here is an answer: Good Things.
Fascism inflicts pain and harm as a matter of doctrine.
Kindness, care and conviviality defend us from it.
The more we build community, the less it can take root.
🧵
March 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
1. You feel powerless? Don’t know what you can do to resist the rise of fascism?
Here is an answer: Good Things.
Fascism inflicts pain and harm as a matter of doctrine.
Kindness, care and conviviality defend us from it.
The more we build community, the less it can take root.
🧵
Here is an answer: Good Things.
Fascism inflicts pain and harm as a matter of doctrine.
Kindness, care and conviviality defend us from it.
The more we build community, the less it can take root.
🧵
Reposted by Heron Payne
For as long as space remains
and as long as beings remain,
may I too remain
to end the sorrows in this world.
(Shantideva)
and as long as beings remain,
may I too remain
to end the sorrows in this world.
(Shantideva)
March 10, 2025 at 11:16 AM
For as long as space remains
and as long as beings remain,
may I too remain
to end the sorrows in this world.
(Shantideva)
and as long as beings remain,
may I too remain
to end the sorrows in this world.
(Shantideva)
All is subject to change & nothing is guaranteed. No matter how wise our actions, we may not get the outcome we want. Knowing this, can we still approach our lives with gratitude & tenderness with the intention of personal and collective healing?
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha
March 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
All is subject to change & nothing is guaranteed. No matter how wise our actions, we may not get the outcome we want. Knowing this, can we still approach our lives with gratitude & tenderness with the intention of personal and collective healing?
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha
#mindfulness is a word we often use, but what does it MEAN? I offer this simple definition. When practicing #mindfulnessmeditation, we set an intention to stay with our present moment experience without assigning labels like good or bad, right or wrong. #meditation #bskysangha #insightmeditation
March 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
#mindfulness is a word we often use, but what does it MEAN? I offer this simple definition. When practicing #mindfulnessmeditation, we set an intention to stay with our present moment experience without assigning labels like good or bad, right or wrong. #meditation #bskysangha #insightmeditation
Reposted by Heron Payne
Moral outrage is a combination of anger and disgust that is contagious and builds toxic tribalism.
March 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Moral outrage is a combination of anger and disgust that is contagious and builds toxic tribalism.
🤔 I know many places where we can practice #mindfulness #meditation and #compassion, the "weapons" of the spiritual warrior. Sitting, watching the mind, opening to what's there with kindness = simple but powerful acts that can dissolve the causes of war.
#pemachodron #insightmeditation #bskysangha
#pemachodron #insightmeditation #bskysangha
March 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
🤔 I know many places where we can practice #mindfulness #meditation and #compassion, the "weapons" of the spiritual warrior. Sitting, watching the mind, opening to what's there with kindness = simple but powerful acts that can dissolve the causes of war.
#pemachodron #insightmeditation #bskysangha
#pemachodron #insightmeditation #bskysangha
Reposted by Heron Payne
"Certain people" want us to think they have all the power. They fear us remembering our inherent goodness, love, beauty, strength, & natural intelligence. I invite you to: Pause, feel the ground meeting your feet, notice your breath & look inside for it. #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha #rumi
March 4, 2025 at 6:16 PM
"Certain people" want us to think they have all the power. They fear us remembering our inherent goodness, love, beauty, strength, & natural intelligence. I invite you to: Pause, feel the ground meeting your feet, notice your breath & look inside for it. #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha #rumi
Feelings can be scary and/or overwhelming but they are essentially sources of information about our inner and external worlds. Gently opening to them can offer the gifts of insight and compassion for self and others.
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha #insightmeditation
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha #insightmeditation
March 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Feelings can be scary and/or overwhelming but they are essentially sources of information about our inner and external worlds. Gently opening to them can offer the gifts of insight and compassion for self and others.
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha #insightmeditation
#pemachodron #mindfulness #meditation #bskysangha #insightmeditation
Put otherwise, we should free ourselves to feel all the feels. They can be uncomfortable but “no feeling is final.” More from #pemachodron When Things Fall Apart. #buddhism #bskysangha #mindfulness #compassion #embodymind
February 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Put otherwise, we should free ourselves to feel all the feels. They can be uncomfortable but “no feeling is final.” More from #pemachodron When Things Fall Apart. #buddhism #bskysangha #mindfulness #compassion #embodymind