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How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is 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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Hey. Welcome back to your daily mindfulness. Today, we're going to discuss how to become more of an optimist. Now, I'm not one to push the idea of always look on the bright side. I think it's very important to give ourselves permission to feel what we're feeling, even if that sometimes includes anger and negativity.
But, this doesn't mean we can't condition our mind in a particular way to lead to things that we know create more wellbeing. When it comes to optimism and pessimism, there are a lot of research-based benefits supporting the improved wellbeing that comes with an optimistic outlook. So, I'm going to name some of those. Just have a listen and see what it's like to hear this. Those who are more optimistic, have fewer symptoms of depression, lower levels of stress, better cardiovascular health, lower risk of Alzheimer's, more resilience, greater productivity, they're more kind and compassionate, and they have better sleep and they also have longer life span.
So, I think most humans can get on board with wanting more of those benefits. But what do we do if we're a little more pessimistic? Is it fixed, or are we doomed? Fortunately, that answer is no. Optimism is something we can develop, no matter what stage we're at, and no matter how pessimistic we might be. According to the famous psychologist, Dr. Martin Seligman, who wrote the book Learned Optimism, there are three specific things that separate an optimist from a pessimist.
He calls them the three P's. When we're more pessimistic, we view things as permanent, personal and pervasive. So what does this look like? Well, imagine a negative event you recently went through or are going through. If you were to view this event as permanent, there would be a sense that this will last forever. If you were to view it as personal, it might feel like this is my fault, or this has to do with me.
This is something about me. If you were to view it as pervasive, there would be this feeling like, my life always goes like this or things never go my way. Permanent, personal and pervasive. Can you see how that might lead to extra anxiety, sadness and depression? So, if a pessimist views things as permanent, personal and pervasive, what does an optimist do? Well, an optimist, instead of viewing an experience permanent, they see it as temporary, instead of viewing it as personal, they are able to see that, there are a lot of variables at play that could lead to this thing happening. And instead of viewing it as pervasive, they see this as being situational and not a representation of their entire life.
So, in today's meditation, we're going to practice specifically working with these three P's, so that you can cultivate more of an optimistic orientation toward the difficult things in your life or something that you're going through right now. And you'll be able to experience the improved life benefits that come with greater optimism. Thank you for your practice and we'll talk to you shortly. Take care.
Become an Optimist
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.
Hey. Welcome back to your daily mindfulness. Today, we're going to discuss how to become more of an optimist. Now, I'm not one to push the idea of always look on the bright side. I think it's very important to give ourselves permission to feel what we're feeling, even if that sometimes includes anger and negativity.
But, this doesn't mean we can't condition our mind in a particular way to lead to things that we know create more wellbeing. When it comes to optimism and pessimism, there are a lot of research-based benefits supporting the improved wellbeing that comes with an optimistic outlook. So, I'm going to name some of those. Just have a listen and see what it's like to hear this. Those who are more optimistic, have fewer symptoms of depression, lower levels of stress, better cardiovascular health, lower risk of Alzheimer's, more resilience, greater productivity, they're more kind and compassionate, and they have better sleep and they also have longer life span.
So, I think most humans can get on board with wanting more of those benefits. But what do we do if we're a little more pessimistic? Is it fixed, or are we doomed? Fortunately, that answer is no. Optimism is something we can develop, no matter what stage we're at, and no matter how pessimistic we might be. According to the famous psychologist, Dr. Martin Seligman, who wrote the book Learned Optimism, there are three specific things that separate an optimist from a pessimist.
He calls them the three P's. When we're more pessimistic, we view things as permanent, personal and pervasive. So what does this look like? Well, imagine a negative event you recently went through or are going through. If you were to view this event as permanent, there would be a sense that this will last forever. If you were to view it as personal, it might feel like this is my fault, or this has to do with me.
This is something about me. If you were to view it as pervasive, there would be this feeling like, my life always goes like this or things never go my way. Permanent, personal and pervasive. Can you see how that might lead to extra anxiety, sadness and depression? So, if a pessimist views things as permanent, personal and pervasive, what does an optimist do? Well, an optimist, instead of viewing an experience permanent, they see it as temporary, instead of viewing it as personal, they are able to see that, there are a lot of variables at play that could lead to this thing happening. And instead of viewing it as pervasive, they see this as being situational and not a representation of their entire life.
So, in today's meditation, we're going to practice specifically working with these three P's, so that you can cultivate more of an optimistic orientation toward the difficult things in your life or something that you're going through right now. And you'll be able to experience the improved life benefits that come with greater optimism. Thank you for your practice and we'll talk to you shortly. Take care.
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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.
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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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Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
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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
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