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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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Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. So yesterday I spoke about the idea of letting go of right and wrong. And today I'm going to continue with that same theme, but don't worry if you didn't catch yesterday's Daily Mindfulness, you can totally pick up here today. So I think most of us would agree with this statement that being happy is more important than being right. But even though we might agree with that statement, a lot of the time we hang on to our viewpoints, our beliefs, and our perceptions as if our life depended on it.
You know, even when it's a relatively minor point, like what cheese might be the best one to buy at the store, many of us will clutch on to our opinions with almost like a religious fervor. That's only the little issues. When it comes to the bigger one, things get really hairy. But the more we insist that we are right and the other is wrong, the more anger frustration we feel. You've probably experienced this, right? And the more we drive a wedge between ourselves and the other, and the more we restrict our ability to truly listen and perhaps learn something, and importantly, the more we cut ourselves off from our true nature, from being present.
So knowing that I decided a year ago to start doing my very best to let go of my attachment to being right. And it's not always easy. And I often still fail at it. It's an ongoing practice. I often still have the urge to defend my viewpoint or talk more than I listen, or to find flaws in the other person's way of seeing things or believing things.
Or sometimes I feel an urge to just dismiss their message internally and not really listen to it. So my practice, and this is something that I mentioned as a part of yesterday's Daily Mindfulness, but it really is worth repeating, my practice is noticing when all of this comes up inside of me, that defensiveness, and as best I can letting go of the need to be right again and again. And I have a simple way of doing this. So as soon as I notice myself kind of thinking they're wrong, or I'm not buying this, I have this inner defensiveness. I switch from the attitude of this kind of closed off-ness to, hmm, isn't that interesting.
So I'll say that to myself mentally, and then I become present, open and curious, and I listen. And I notice over time when I do this, how much deeper and richer my relationships become, how much more relaxed and at ease I feel when others are sharing all kinds of viewpoints and how present I can be with them. Now I also notice how much more I've been able to learn and grow when I let go of my own viewpoints. And I really listen with openness and curiosity. So if this resonates with you, if you're curious about it, I invite you to try out this really simple practice.
The next time you feel defensive or holding onto your idea of being right. Just try mentally saying to yourself, hmm, isn't that interesting. And then just kind of lean into what's there to be heard. I think you'll find this practice has the power to diffuse tension and anger and create more connection and joy in your relationships and in your life. So as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Defusing Defensiveness
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. So yesterday I spoke about the idea of letting go of right and wrong. And today I'm going to continue with that same theme, but don't worry if you didn't catch yesterday's Daily Mindfulness, you can totally pick up here today. So I think most of us would agree with this statement that being happy is more important than being right. But even though we might agree with that statement, a lot of the time we hang on to our viewpoints, our beliefs, and our perceptions as if our life depended on it.
You know, even when it's a relatively minor point, like what cheese might be the best one to buy at the store, many of us will clutch on to our opinions with almost like a religious fervor. That's only the little issues. When it comes to the bigger one, things get really hairy. But the more we insist that we are right and the other is wrong, the more anger frustration we feel. You've probably experienced this, right? And the more we drive a wedge between ourselves and the other, and the more we restrict our ability to truly listen and perhaps learn something, and importantly, the more we cut ourselves off from our true nature, from being present.
So knowing that I decided a year ago to start doing my very best to let go of my attachment to being right. And it's not always easy. And I often still fail at it. It's an ongoing practice. I often still have the urge to defend my viewpoint or talk more than I listen, or to find flaws in the other person's way of seeing things or believing things.
Or sometimes I feel an urge to just dismiss their message internally and not really listen to it. So my practice, and this is something that I mentioned as a part of yesterday's Daily Mindfulness, but it really is worth repeating, my practice is noticing when all of this comes up inside of me, that defensiveness, and as best I can letting go of the need to be right again and again. And I have a simple way of doing this. So as soon as I notice myself kind of thinking they're wrong, or I'm not buying this, I have this inner defensiveness. I switch from the attitude of this kind of closed off-ness to, hmm, isn't that interesting.
So I'll say that to myself mentally, and then I become present, open and curious, and I listen. And I notice over time when I do this, how much deeper and richer my relationships become, how much more relaxed and at ease I feel when others are sharing all kinds of viewpoints and how present I can be with them. Now I also notice how much more I've been able to learn and grow when I let go of my own viewpoints. And I really listen with openness and curiosity. So if this resonates with you, if you're curious about it, I invite you to try out this really simple practice.
The next time you feel defensive or holding onto your idea of being right. Just try mentally saying to yourself, hmm, isn't that interesting. And then just kind of lean into what's there to be heard. I think you'll find this practice has the power to diffuse tension and anger and create more connection and joy in your relationships and in your life. So 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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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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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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