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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. And today I'm going to explore the difference between facts and stories, and talk about why it's important for us to see the difference. So to begin with, let me give you a few examples of the difference between a fact and a story. Fact, she was late. Story, she was late because she's selfish and she doesn't really care about me.
Okay. Fact, I have $2 in my bank account. Not for me. I've got more than $2 in my bank account. Story, I'm poor.
I only have $2 in my bank account and I'll always struggle. I never have enough. Fact, it's raining. Story, it's horrible weather. What a dreadful day.
Fact, he didn't ask me on a second date. Story, he doesn't like me. No one ever does. I'm unattractive and I'll probably always be alone. Okay.
So according to dictionary.com, facts and stories are defined as follows: a fact, something that actually exists or existed, reality, truth; stories, a narrative about the facts, which can be either true or fictitious. So, if you were speaking about the facts, you would report only what happened very objectively with nothing added. A bit like a camera would have seen it. The camera doesn't have an opinion or an emotional reaction. It just sees the scene.
Our stories about the facts though, this is where it gets a little tricky, they can be colored by our particular beliefs, our opinions, our self images, our judgments, our desires, and so on. In our stories, we often make interpretations and meanings out of the facts and that can distort our own ability to see things clearly. In our stories, we often make assumptions and come to conclusions that are not accurate and can often be really unhelpful. Importantly, our stories have the ability to create a lot of emotional turmoil and suffering, and that's why it's really important every now and then to pause when we're anxious, when we're stressed, when we're feeling reactive or overwhelmed to see what kind of stories we're telling ourselves. Once we can see the stories, if they're unhelpful, we can let them go.
How do we let them go? We let a story go by simply seeing that it's just a story and not a fact. It's only when we buy into the stories that they create suffering. So for instance, so you just told yourself the story that it's a horrible day, it's horrible weather. And you start to feel that emotional reaction in your body, that negativity and grumpiness coming in. Then you can inquire and see, okay, I'm telling myself a story that it's a horrible day, but it's not the reality.
It's just a story. And then you can let go and come back to the fact of the moment. And the fact of the moment in that case is it's simply raining. Now we're free to just enjoy the sound of the rain and the coolness of the air with no negativity. So here's my invitation.
The next time you do feel yourself feeling a bit reactive or negative emotions are arising, just pause, take a breath and check in to see what story you're telling yourself. And if it's unhelpful for you, just try mentally noting to yourself, just a story, and then bring your full attention back to the present moment. In that way you unhook from unhelpful stories and find more calm, ease, and clarity in everyday life. And as always thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Facts vs. Stories
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. And today I'm going to explore the difference between facts and stories, and talk about why it's important for us to see the difference. So to begin with, let me give you a few examples of the difference between a fact and a story. Fact, she was late. Story, she was late because she's selfish and she doesn't really care about me.
Okay. Fact, I have $2 in my bank account. Not for me. I've got more than $2 in my bank account. Story, I'm poor.
I only have $2 in my bank account and I'll always struggle. I never have enough. Fact, it's raining. Story, it's horrible weather. What a dreadful day.
Fact, he didn't ask me on a second date. Story, he doesn't like me. No one ever does. I'm unattractive and I'll probably always be alone. Okay.
So according to dictionary.com, facts and stories are defined as follows: a fact, something that actually exists or existed, reality, truth; stories, a narrative about the facts, which can be either true or fictitious. So, if you were speaking about the facts, you would report only what happened very objectively with nothing added. A bit like a camera would have seen it. The camera doesn't have an opinion or an emotional reaction. It just sees the scene.
Our stories about the facts though, this is where it gets a little tricky, they can be colored by our particular beliefs, our opinions, our self images, our judgments, our desires, and so on. In our stories, we often make interpretations and meanings out of the facts and that can distort our own ability to see things clearly. In our stories, we often make assumptions and come to conclusions that are not accurate and can often be really unhelpful. Importantly, our stories have the ability to create a lot of emotional turmoil and suffering, and that's why it's really important every now and then to pause when we're anxious, when we're stressed, when we're feeling reactive or overwhelmed to see what kind of stories we're telling ourselves. Once we can see the stories, if they're unhelpful, we can let them go.
How do we let them go? We let a story go by simply seeing that it's just a story and not a fact. It's only when we buy into the stories that they create suffering. So for instance, so you just told yourself the story that it's a horrible day, it's horrible weather. And you start to feel that emotional reaction in your body, that negativity and grumpiness coming in. Then you can inquire and see, okay, I'm telling myself a story that it's a horrible day, but it's not the reality.
It's just a story. And then you can let go and come back to the fact of the moment. And the fact of the moment in that case is it's simply raining. Now we're free to just enjoy the sound of the rain and the coolness of the air with no negativity. So here's my invitation.
The next time you do feel yourself feeling a bit reactive or negative emotions are arising, just pause, take a breath and check in to see what story you're telling yourself. And if it's unhelpful for you, just try mentally noting to yourself, just a story, and then bring your full attention back to the present moment. In that way you unhook from unhelpful stories and find more calm, ease, and clarity in everyday life. And 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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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.
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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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