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How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
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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
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Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, I'm going to talk about confirmation bias and how we can begin to see past it. So confirmation bias happens when we cherry pick information that supports our existing beliefs and we reject the information that goes against what we believe. So the effect of this bias becomes much stronger in the case of very deeply ingrained beliefs, when we hold tightly to the need to be right, or when we have emotionally charged views. This can be problematic because failing to view information in an unbiased way can lead to significant misjudgments and misunderstandings.
For example, in a 2013 study from Matt Kahan and others at Yale Law School, they found that confirmation bias affects the way people view statistics. They found that people tend to infer information from statistics that backs up their existing beliefs, even when the data supports a completely opposite view. That's how powerful the effect of confirmation bias can be. And it can really pose a serious problem when you're trying to make a rational and fact-based decision. Once formed, our beliefs and viewpoints are remarkably persistent.
Now you might be listening to this right now and thinking. This doesn't really apply to me so much because I am one of those rational, and open-minded people. I only observe the facts before becoming, coming to a decision. But unfortunately, we all have confirmation bias to some degree. It's just a part of how the human mind is wired.
So it's very difficult to overcome this natural tendency without deliberate effort. However, if we are aware of confirmation bias and accept the fact that it really does likely operate within all of us a lot of the time, we can make a deliberate effort to see beyond it. And here's three ways you can do that. First, see if you can relax the need to be right and instead become more open and curious about opposing views, really listening to what the other side has to say and why. As you do so, truly consider that it might not be correct what you're thinking and try to see through the eyes of another person.
This can help us to view decisions and issues from multiple different perspectives and come to a more objective conclusion. Also look for ways to challenge what you think. Question your assumptions and viewpoints regularly, and seek out information from a range of different sources. Also, it can help to discuss your thoughts with others who have diverse views, instead of only those who agree with your ways of thinking or saying things. So see if you can get comfortable with listening to those views and discussing yours in a compassionate and open way.
So just continuing to be aware that confirmation bias may be affecting you. Even just knowing that as you gather information, can support you in keeping a more open, flexible, and unbiased mind. As always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Confirmation Bias
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 confirmation bias and how we can begin to see past it. So confirmation bias happens when we cherry pick information that supports our existing beliefs and we reject the information that goes against what we believe. So the effect of this bias becomes much stronger in the case of very deeply ingrained beliefs, when we hold tightly to the need to be right, or when we have emotionally charged views. This can be problematic because failing to view information in an unbiased way can lead to significant misjudgments and misunderstandings.
For example, in a 2013 study from Matt Kahan and others at Yale Law School, they found that confirmation bias affects the way people view statistics. They found that people tend to infer information from statistics that backs up their existing beliefs, even when the data supports a completely opposite view. That's how powerful the effect of confirmation bias can be. And it can really pose a serious problem when you're trying to make a rational and fact-based decision. Once formed, our beliefs and viewpoints are remarkably persistent.
Now you might be listening to this right now and thinking. This doesn't really apply to me so much because I am one of those rational, and open-minded people. I only observe the facts before becoming, coming to a decision. But unfortunately, we all have confirmation bias to some degree. It's just a part of how the human mind is wired.
So it's very difficult to overcome this natural tendency without deliberate effort. However, if we are aware of confirmation bias and accept the fact that it really does likely operate within all of us a lot of the time, we can make a deliberate effort to see beyond it. And here's three ways you can do that. First, see if you can relax the need to be right and instead become more open and curious about opposing views, really listening to what the other side has to say and why. As you do so, truly consider that it might not be correct what you're thinking and try to see through the eyes of another person.
This can help us to view decisions and issues from multiple different perspectives and come to a more objective conclusion. Also look for ways to challenge what you think. Question your assumptions and viewpoints regularly, and seek out information from a range of different sources. Also, it can help to discuss your thoughts with others who have diverse views, instead of only those who agree with your ways of thinking or saying things. So see if you can get comfortable with listening to those views and discussing yours in a compassionate and open way.
So just continuing to be aware that confirmation bias may be affecting you. Even just knowing that as you gather information, can support you in keeping a more open, flexible, and unbiased mind. As always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
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Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
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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
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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
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