Browse
Top articles
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Try free for 7 days.
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
00:00
00:00
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today I'm going to talk about the importance of having a heart that says yes. So a spiritual teacher named Matt Kahn has this book entitled, Whatever Arises, Love That. And, you know, I haven't even read that book, but I never forgot reading that book title, Whatever Arises, Love That. When I read those words, it really struck a chord with me, because it seems to me that in four words, he summarized what it means to be totally open to life as it is, totally open to flowing with it and cooperating with it.
Aligning ourselves with the flow of life really is at the heart of what mindfulness is all about. Because like when you turn against the current in a flowing stream, when we move out of alignment with the flow of life, we start straight going against the current of what is. And we get tired and we get reactive. We lose our ability to be at one with our experience and move through it with grace. So part of our practice is to continuously see if we can stay aligned with what is.
Letting the flow of life unfold moment by moment and working with it rather than against it. So what are some of the ways that we pull ourselves out of alignment with life and go against the current? Well, the main way is through resistance, which is a kind of inner no to what is happening. We react to the things we don't like or didn't want with a sense of, you know, I don't like this. I don't want this. This shouldn't be happening.
A really simple example. I noticed this happening the other day when I was driving to my friend's house and the car in front of me was driving way slower than my preferred speed. You know? You may have experienced this yourself, right? I started to feel impatience and irritation arising. Tension came into my body, my jaw tightened and something in me felt like it just couldn't relax unless the situation changed to how I wanted it to be, faster. But then I caught myself and I took a deep breath and I realized that I was resisting what was happening in that moment.
So. In that moment, I was able to let go of my resistance, sit back in my seat, relax and enjoy the rest of my slow pace drive. Now this example is a fairly small thing, but this happens over and over again in our lives in small and big ways. We get caught in resistance to what is. Consequently, we cause ourselves a lot of irritation, frustration, stress, and suffering.
We often want things to be different because subconsciously we think that if we can just get what we want, we'll finally feel okay. But as long as we keep believing we need to control all the external events of our life in order to be at peace and be happy, we're always going to be struggling against the current and left waiting for it all to come together. So here's my invitation for today and ongoing. When you feel inner resistance arising, whether it's in the form of impatience, tension or irritation, negativity, or anger, see if you can just take a pause for a moment and ask yourself, what would it be like right now if I let my heart say yes to this? What if I moved with the flow of what's happening? What if I work with it? Aligning yourself to life, as it is allows you to then respond to the situation with wisdom, clarity, and kindness. So as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
A Heart That Says Yes
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today I'm going to talk about the importance of having a heart that says yes. So a spiritual teacher named Matt Kahn has this book entitled, Whatever Arises, Love That. And, you know, I haven't even read that book, but I never forgot reading that book title, Whatever Arises, Love That. When I read those words, it really struck a chord with me, because it seems to me that in four words, he summarized what it means to be totally open to life as it is, totally open to flowing with it and cooperating with it.
Aligning ourselves with the flow of life really is at the heart of what mindfulness is all about. Because like when you turn against the current in a flowing stream, when we move out of alignment with the flow of life, we start straight going against the current of what is. And we get tired and we get reactive. We lose our ability to be at one with our experience and move through it with grace. So part of our practice is to continuously see if we can stay aligned with what is.
Letting the flow of life unfold moment by moment and working with it rather than against it. So what are some of the ways that we pull ourselves out of alignment with life and go against the current? Well, the main way is through resistance, which is a kind of inner no to what is happening. We react to the things we don't like or didn't want with a sense of, you know, I don't like this. I don't want this. This shouldn't be happening.
A really simple example. I noticed this happening the other day when I was driving to my friend's house and the car in front of me was driving way slower than my preferred speed. You know? You may have experienced this yourself, right? I started to feel impatience and irritation arising. Tension came into my body, my jaw tightened and something in me felt like it just couldn't relax unless the situation changed to how I wanted it to be, faster. But then I caught myself and I took a deep breath and I realized that I was resisting what was happening in that moment.
So. In that moment, I was able to let go of my resistance, sit back in my seat, relax and enjoy the rest of my slow pace drive. Now this example is a fairly small thing, but this happens over and over again in our lives in small and big ways. We get caught in resistance to what is. Consequently, we cause ourselves a lot of irritation, frustration, stress, and suffering.
We often want things to be different because subconsciously we think that if we can just get what we want, we'll finally feel okay. But as long as we keep believing we need to control all the external events of our life in order to be at peace and be happy, we're always going to be struggling against the current and left waiting for it all to come together. So here's my invitation for today and ongoing. When you feel inner resistance arising, whether it's in the form of impatience, tension or irritation, negativity, or anger, see if you can just take a pause for a moment and ask yourself, what would it be like right now if I let my heart say yes to this? What if I moved with the flow of what's happening? What if I work with it? Aligning yourself to life, as it is allows you to then respond to the situation with wisdom, clarity, and kindness. So as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Duration
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
Get Unlimited Access
A Mindfulness Plus+ subscription gives you unlimited access to a world of premium mindfulness content.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Annual membership
$0
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Thank you for joining us
Dive into the full library and enjoy all it has to offer!
Claim your free access
Create a mindfulness account and we’ll unlock this premium session in your account forever.
7-Days free trial, cancel anytime.
Complete a few quick questions to make your own personalized mindfulness plan.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Mindfulness
One membership to gain access to a world of premium mindfulness content created to help you live happier and stress less.