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Donald Altman

Donald Altman

Licensed Professional Counselor

Home: Portland, Oregon

Bio: Donald Altman, M.A., LPC, is a practicing psychotherapist, former Buddhist monk, Emmy-Award-winning writer, and board member of The Center for Mindful Eating. He conducts mindful living and mindful eating workshops and retreats around the nation, and is known as America’s Mindfulness Coach for the way he makes mindful living and spiritual values accessible in daily life.

A prolific writer whose career spans more than twenty-five years, Donald has written several highly regarded books in the field of mindfulness. His new book, "The Mindfulness Code: Keys for Overcoming Stress, Anxiety, Fear and Unhappiness," combines modern neuroscience and ancient practices to reveal "the 4-keys necessary to unlock the joyful you."

Donald’s book "Living Kindness" has been used at the United Nations to help teach inner peace and calm to staff and delegates; the book has also been required reading in a New York Buddhist Chaplaincy program. "The Art of the Inner Meal" was one of the first books on the topic of mindful eating. An innovator, Donald followed up with Meal by Meal: 365 Meditations for Finding Balance through Mindful Eating was the first daily calendar book on mindful eating. He also created Mindful Eating Meal Cards and the first internet-based mindful eating program, 12-Weeks to Mindful Eating. Presently, he is an adjunct professor at Lewis and Clark College Graduate School and Portland State University, where is is on the faculty of the Interpersonal Neurobiology Program. For fun, Donald enjoys (mindfully) riding his motorcycle along the Oregon coast.

My philosophy: Loving-kindness is why we are here. Eating really good pizza is a bonus ;)

If I weren’t doing what I do now, I’d probably be sailing a ship in the Caribbean, or leading a motorcycle tour across the Greek Islands or Ireland. Or, just sharing learning with others in an exciting locale.

Favorite piece of advice: Be grateful for what you already have in your life, that way you'll never be disappointed.

My websites: www.mindfulpractices.com
www.mindfulnesscode.com

Expert's Archive

A Concert, a Bird Dropping, and a Freshly Washed Car: a Mindfulness Challenge

A Concert, a Bird Dropping, and a Freshly Washed Car: a Mindfulness Challenge

Posted by Donald Altman

It’s a long-anticipated Friday night and I’m driving to a concert featuring John Prine, a well known folk-country musician and …

Why Sleeping Helps You Lose Weight

Why Sleeping Helps You Lose Weight

Posted by Donald Altman

I recently spent the weekend presenting at the National Eating Conference. Vegas may be the “City that Never Sleeps”—but I …

How to Simplify (or, Why I Still Don't Have a Flat-Screen TV)

How to Simplify (or, Why I Still Don't Have a Flat-Screen TV)

Posted by Donald Altman

It’s all too easy to let shopping choices overwhelm. And while we’re fortunate to have an abundance of choice available …

Transforming Disappointment

Transforming Disappointment

Posted by Donald Altman

Dealing with disappointment can be a challenge. Recently my sister sent me a gift for my birthday—a fountain that was …