Inspiration

Our Vets, My Congressman Friend Tim Ryan and Why We Need You!

Written by: Nick Ortner

If I showed you the picture to the right, would you think to yourself…”That’s obviously a congressman meditating”? Of course not…but it is! 🙂

In the past year, through my speaking at live Hay House events, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of meeting a remarkable man, Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)

(and please ignore the Democrat or Republican aspect of this discussion, this goes WAY beyond that).

Congressman Ryan is the author of “A Mindful Nation,” a beautiful book about bringing mindfulness into our daily lives, into our institutions, even into Congress! (Can you imagine…?!)

And unlike most congressmen, he’d rather you see a picture of him meditating than the regular cheesy and fake political picture. You know…kissing a baby, shaking hands with a president, speaking in front of a podium. All those typical things that make you go “eh…another politician!” 🙂

I’ve been sharing EFT Tapping with the Congressman, actually giving him his first experience one late night after a speaking event, in a bar! (You gotta tap wherever you can!)

As a consequence, he’s been a big supporter of our work in bringing this powerful technique to veterans with PTSD.

He even went as far as sending a letter to Eric Shinseki, Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs, suggesting that EFT be adopted by the Veterans Administration (VA) to support the estimated one million US veterans struggling with PTSD. (Click here to read his letter.)

Today I want to share a casual interview with you that my sister Jessica did with Congressman Ryan, about both his new book and about how he wants to change the political landscape. I think you’ll really enjoy this, and again, it’s not about Democrat or Republican, it’s about mindfulness. Here it is:

Click Here to Watch This Video On YouTube

If you want to pick up a copy of Tim Ryan’s great book, A Mindful Nation, you can do so here:


www.thetappingsolution.com/ts/a-mindful-nation
Also, you can listen to a wonderful presentation by Dawson Church that speaks directly to the work that’s being done with veterans, and why tapping is such a powerful tool for treating PTSD:


Dr. Dawson Church and Dr. David Feinstein have done remarkable work the past several years, both on the research side and on petitioning Congress, to try to get EFT accepted on a bigger level.

I’m letting you know about all this for several reasons:

A. I believe it’s inspiring to hear that change is happening, and that this technique that you’re using at home to change your life has the possibility to transform veterans’ experiences with PTSD. You’re a part of something special.

B. If you or someone you love is a veteran suffering from PTSD, Tapping can help. Please see: http://stressproject.org/ for more details or pick up a copy of the documentary Operation Emotional Freedom here:


www.thetappingsolution.com/ts/operation-emotional-freedom
C. The Tapping Solution Foundation is actively working on all these efforts. If you’d like to support it financially so that it can continue spreading this work, you can do so here: www.tappingsolutionfoundation.org/donate/

I hope this inspires you as much as it does me!

Until next time…

Keep doing your part to heal the world by healing yourself! 🙂

Nick Ortner

P.S. – Speaking of amazing congressman (and women!)…you might have heard the buzz about best-selling author and speaker, Marianne Williamson announcing her candidacy for the United States Congress!

Now I don’t normally write about politics in any way but with this email I’m talking about two politicians! 🙂 But the reason I’m sharing is that both of these people are about changing the current political landscape which has become so inhospitable.

I had a chance to sit down with Marianne a few months ago, and she shared with me not only that she was going to run, but shared her vision for transforming politics from the inside out.

I don’t need to tell you about the level of dysfunction that exists in politics, from both sides of the aisle, but I do believe there are always solutions out there (like Congressman Tim Ryan!) and Marianne and her inspiring message and vision can be part of that change.

She’s running as an independent with a fresh message of change, and she needs your support. Take a few minutes to learn more about what she’s doing, and if it feels right for you, donate a few (or many!) bucks to support what she’s doing, volunteer, or find another way to get involved!



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45 Comments on this post

  1. Lorrie says:

    Phenomenal speech by Marianne Williamson to Create Anew our Democracy through new values…truly a cry form the heart, “Hey Guys, we’ll take if from here”! and DO it.

  2. Bob Olson says:

    It’s amazing how this great stuff gets around and through the maze of mind numbing, incentive destroying rabble that barges into our busy lives almost every minute of each day. I’m paraphrasing a saying I read one time (can’t remember the author) that goes. Every problem comes with a gift in hand,solve the problem and receive the gift. I felt I needed help to just slow down ( life gets hectic even up here in the great white north ) Music and singing were part of that process of stepping back so to speak. I wanted to be a better singer (who doesn’t) So I surfed the internet and came up with a Sing with freedom Program by Per Bristow. I got the initial cd’s and they really did help,I can actually stand to listen to myself now. anyway I couldn’t afford to continue the program, but Per continued to send me info. until one day last week his e-mail contained an invite to Tapping World Summit. Somehow I knew that this was not a hoax,and checked into it further. I’m glad I did,it is helping me a lot. Thank you Per and Thank you to the Tapping team,I intend to learn to us it more effectively in my life. From Bob in Canada

  3. linda ryan says:

    Great interview and wonderfully inspiring to know congress is awakening. One simple act of mindfulness can bring great change for us all. Congressman Ryan has written something of great vision.

  4. Rosanne Feneley says:

    Thank you Jessica & Tim Ryan, for discussing Mindfulness in Congress – very inspiring! What a hope for the future, with our politicians.

    Jessica, I also enjoyed your impromptu interviews with various people; amusing and insightful.

    I’m still trying to master Mindfulness, in my own life, to better deal with various events and interactions. I’m still learning, perhaps in the toddler stage, but when I employ it well it’s successful.

    Warm regards,

    Rosanne Feneley

  5. Bill McCleave says:

    Marianne Williamson
    I am a Canadian but ifI was in your district I would work my heart for you, wish you the best. God Bless

  6. claudia says:

    Wow! I wish the politicians here in Canada would be open to this. Hopefully, this will spread across the nations. What a great world it could be. Also, I’m a veteran and will be following this tapping technique. It’s got to be better than all the meds and definitely better than the therapy that’s offered. Most therapist can’t relate to what soldiers/veterans have been through at all.
    Way to go Jessica and Nick and Congressman Ryan!

  7. Bob Battaglia says:

    My daughter is a geriatric internist at a VA hospital.I have asked her look at this, especially the Dawson Church audio and see what she can do to get the VA to offer EFT to the veterans in their system.

  8. Paula Schima says:

    Surprised. Will be interested to see if it works.

  9. Lori says:

    After watching the video and letting it settle in for a couple of hours I had a very strong pull to become a practitioner so that I could seek out vets with PTSD and bring them some peace. Also thought about those with substance abuse issues. I am so glad to know there already is a movement to bring tapping to our vets

  10. Matthew Tagg says:

    These videos offer immense hope for the future of America and the rest of the world. People from all walks of life, especially those in positions of power would benefit considerably for adopting a mindful approach to life. Thank you.

  11. D J says:

    This gives me hope! It’s great to see the people helping to run our nation taking better care of themselves, and therefore all of us! Hopefully this will help spread common sense, civility, and cooperation in our capitol. Keep up the good work!!!

  12. Norma says:

    I am thankful that some people still believe in God specially in US capital. God bless you Ms Jessica and Mr Tim Ryan

  13. Anne Warwick says:

    Hello there at the Tapping Solution. I just loved hearing what Tim Ryan had to say and then seeing Marianne Williamson run for congress is amazing. Just think if America goes ahead with having 2 mindful politicians, then Australia, where I live, also has a chance to change. We seem to follow your ideas so I sure hope we have some mindful politicians coming out into our political arena.
    Well done on helping so many ex war vets with tapping. That is also an area of great interest to me as well.

  14. Mike Zachery says:

    Whoops I made a wrong statement in my original post, My sister sent a copy of Nicks cd not Tim’s as I stated I am sorry for the slip up

  15. Mike Zachery retired veteran says:

    I loved the interview by Jessica with Congressman Ryan. I am very glad to hear that he is trying to get congress to get into something other than self serving. I started tapping on some of my hang ups I also have used The Silva courses to learn to meditate. My sister (Patti)works for the VA and has sent out Tim’s cd’s and a copy of his book to the VA director to her boss and others about helping vets who have PTSD to use tapping instead of medications which would help the individual vet but also save the VA money on the amount of medications it buys. Thank you for the interview it was great to hear that someone in congress has some common sense.

  16. Bambi Ward says:

    I would love to win this book. I started teaching Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Meditation techniques to people with cancer and their carers in 1995 in Melbourne, Australia. Very pleased to see how it’s being more widely applied…. at last!

  17. Shirie Eshel says:

    I’m very excited about hearing Congressman’s Ryan endorsement of mindfulness. I am now teaching a group of children about meditation and Yoga and will cite this wonderful short video. thank you!
    Shirie Eshel

  18. Mike says:

    A special Thank You to both Tim Ryan and to Marianne Williamson. I am glad Congress is seeing the early stages of mindfulness from Mr Ryan and I hope Marianne will win her seat to further the movement. Marianne has been very strong force in this area for well over 20 years and I would urge those of you that don’t know her to take a closer look. Thank you Nick and Jessica for bringing both of these leaders to the public’s attention.

  19. Tammy McGee says:

    Definitely a better idea for all of us!

  20. Debbe BIrcher says:

    I’m a homeschooling gramma of a 13 year old girl who has visual and auditory processing issues. I am learning that slowing down and breathing are essential. I am so glad to hear this video, it reinforces and allows me to focus without guilt that I’m not accomplishing or checking off a task, but can be quiet, “mindful,” and make a big difference for myself and my world. Thanks

  21. kesavan says:

    Great Leap From Religiosity to Modern Spirituality based on Body Mind Soul Alignment. For this EFT, Chakra Meditation, Quigong and Yoga can be of much help to society to free itself from the clutches of Religiosity and Extremism. Leaders are to be trained for a rapid movement in this direction, to see the society not divided by Religion, caste and color.

  22. Dianne McCown says:

    Dear Nick and Jessica,

    I am really excited about the interview with Congressman Tim Ryan. Interestingly enough I was writing down the details I was learning so that I could email Marianne Williamson and let her know about Congressman Ryan and his book. Then as I scrolled down the page to leave my comment, imagine my surprise to see your article and video about Marianne. You guys are just Awesome:) Thank you so much for getting the word out there to your audience. She needs our support, and we need her and more like her and Congressman Ryan. Positive change is in the air. Thank you for being part of the delivery system.

    Blessings,
    Dianne

  23. Judith Duvall says:

    Mindfulness in Congress is exciting news for our nation. Being mindful can lead to nothing but good. Congratulations to Congressman Ryan for thinking outside the box and introducing a peaceful, creative, and very healthy way of thinking and living to Congress and many others.

  24. Shelley Skinner says:

    This is very encouraging. Thanks so much for sharing it!

  25. Billie Hall says:

    Thank you! It is so good to hear both Congressman Tim Ryan’s and Marianne Williamson’s message to the world. It brought me to tears. You go girl!

  26. Sue Heth says:

    Refreshing! Thanks for helping spread this important technique.

  27. Louise says:

    How wonderful to find that a congressman is confident enough to promote this simple process in such public ways, from school children to the powerful decision-makers of our businesses and government. I have been actively incorporating mindfulness techniques to my daily life and am amazed at all the new layers of my life and my environment I am experiencing. But it isn’t enough to just read – I encourage everyone to read Congressman Ryan’s book and start growing your own mindfulness experience. Best wishes to all!

  28. Sandra says:

    Congressman thank you for stepping out and speaking your truth and being couragenos enough to practice it by instituting the Mindful Room at the Whitehouse!
    These times are so exciting to see the progress of mankind and I do mean progress when we are speaking about politicians. I was very happy to hear that the United States Marine Corp will be instituting these practices in their program. It is too late for my son who was a Marine and due to severe ptsd ened his life last February. I was amazed at how many people who served in the war are so depressed that they comtemplate suicide on a daily basis. Your work will certainly tip mankind in the direction of a more positive, humane and peaceful world.

  29. Joyce says:

    Wow ~ a enlightened governmental change! Now I have a positive statement to make about what’s going on in Washington. I love it. I will share this video with many. I learned a way to end procrastination that works: (people tend to procrastinate about learning how to become mindful). Just say to yourself that you are going to spend only 5 minutes. Just do it. 5 minutes can turn into a lifetime of a less stressful life. That’s how I learned Tapping. It works!

  30. marilyn says:

    WOW- that was awesome !! Go Tim Ryan and the Ortners. A huge shot of HOPE!!

  31. Sue Kelly says:

    Yay! this is yet another example of mindfulness filtering into all areas of humanity. More and more people seem to be following what they inately know to be good and true. Ways of living in love and harmony. Thankyou so much to those like Tim Ryan and the Ortners who take these messages out to the public on a grander scale, and thank you also to those who little by little change the world through the examples the set in their own lives.
    I feel inspired and heartened (-:
    Sue from NZ

  32. Janet Low says:

    I really enjoyed this interview and am hoping that mindfulness also reaches Canadian Parliament. I try to meditate at least five minutes every morning and find that it really helps me start the day in a positive way.

  33. gerry skeens says:

    Very interesting chat with Jessica and Tim Ryan – sooo encouraging to know there’s a bit of ‘mindfulness’ going on in Congress!
    The world just seems a nano-nano bit safer….maybe!

    I love Jessica and Nick Ortner and what they are doing!
    I’m a Brit from London – do come over here and sort our Cabinet out!!!!

  34. John Nemec says:

    It really is refreshing and encouraging to see a mindful approach being introduced into congress by an elected representative. I hope it catches on with his peers; it could go a long way in helping our bitterly divided representatives work WITH each other for the common good. In today’s world it absolutely requires a conscious effort to break away, reconnect, and achieve states of mindfulness that used to come more naturally.

  35. Rosemary Berglund says:

    What a wonderful gift to society this will be when ALL governments, at ALL levels, will follow the idea of being “mindful” in their day today choices and their voting. Keep going Congressman Ryan!!!

  36. Sheila says:

    I watched the short video with Mr. Ryan and the one with Marianne Williamson. I am so inspired and up lifted. I mark this as another turning point towards a better world. I thank all who worked to bring this information to us, and I thank Mr.Ryan and Marianne for there strength and determination to bring not only hope, but also a larger vision for a system so much in need of change for the benefit of ALL.

  37. Julianne says:

    He is doing such a good service to the people. My husband has been trying to convince his employer (Transit Bus Drivers) to help him set up a mindful program to develop meditation for drivers.

  38. Chris says:

    This is absolutely fantastic news! Nick and Jessica, thanks for sharing this with all of us. The movement has begun. It really does start at the individual level and ripple out.

  39. Name (required) says:

    Wow! Am I ever impressed! What a cool video, since it’s loaded with HOPE for our nation! A democratic congressman from Ohio? I love you, sir, and I’m a conservative! This is a fabulous video! It makes me want to write the congressman and thank him for his book and his mindfulness! This is what is lacking in our world! We need to compassionately go within, in order to bring more of our Creator, God, into our lives! It is only by going inside on a consistent basis that we can be sure to pay forward our compassion for humanity! I love this guy! This video is so terrific, I’m making sure everyone on my list gets it! God bless you, Tim Ryan and you, too, of course, dear Jessica!

  40. Muriel says:

    Amazing to hear that a major government !!! (to say the least !) is using mindfulness as part of it’s day possible tools !! Wow! I’m a painter and when I don’t paint I have to sit quite and meditate , quite time is as essential to me as eating drinking and sleeping ! fabulous senator! (-:

  41. Eli says:

    This is fantastic.

  42. Suzanne says:

    awesome!! I definitely want to read this book now. I love the idea of men and women in congress getting together to meditate

  43. Fred Theobald says:

    Excellent interview! I particularly enjoy the fact that the practice of mindfulness is not limited to any one, specific practice.

  44. Sarah says:

    Thank you, Congressman! As a holistic practitioner, this nation needs you. Congressman Ryan for President!

  45. Carol Marriott says:

    Good work Tim Ryan. If I win a book, I’ll put a news of note into Wholife Journal http://www.wholife.com! Very inspiring work you are doing. Mindfulness in Congress! I’m from Canada, but you are my neighbour!

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