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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 Greek philosopher, Epictetus once taught, "We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us." And that's really true. You know, when we judge and label the events of our lives, we often react to the judgments we have about what's happening rather than simply being with our direct experience just as it is. So I'll give you a simple example. Let's say you wake up one morning and you look out your window and you see rain coming down.
And then this thought comes in this judgment that says, Ugh, what a horrible day. Now, is it true that the day is horrible? Of course not. It's just raining. But if you buy into that thought, you're very likely to experience negativity, grumpiness, sadness. But if you don't buy into that thought, then you're free to be at peace just to lay there, listening to the ring.
No problem, no negativity. Now and we know that just like the weather, the events of our lives are also constantly changing. They always will be. We have gain, we have loss, we have up, we have down new loves and heartbreaks, pain pleasure, praise, blame, success, and failure. All of that is a normal part of the richness and variety of being human.
But when we apply judgments and stories to what happens, we're often yanked around at the mercy of our reactions. So the most basic mental judgments we do are often liking and disliking. For instance, when we judge something or someone as good, nice. Right, we're elated. And we get attached to it.
When we judge something or someone is bad, horrible, wrong, we react with negative emotions. So Shakespeare once said, "There's nothing, either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so." That's also true. And when we're able to realize this truth, it means that we can learn to respond to the ever changing circumstances of our lives, non reactively, so that we're not always emotionally thrown around by the ups and downs of life. Now that doesn't mean we can't take action to change things. We certainly can.
And on the contrary, we can respond instead of reacting when we're not caught up in reactivity. So we can, we can take, you know, more skillful, more empowered actions. So in today's meditation, we're going to be focusing on cultivating this capacity to be non-reactive and more rooted in presence and inner peace. But in your daily life also, you know, see if you can focus on just laying aside judgments. Especially the ones that label things good and bad, right and wrong, like and dislike.
And instead, just being curious about what happens when you add no story at all to whatever arises. And instead, as best you, can just be fully present with what arises and respond when necessary with the best of who you are.
Responding Instead of Reacting
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 Greek philosopher, Epictetus once taught, "We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us." And that's really true. You know, when we judge and label the events of our lives, we often react to the judgments we have about what's happening rather than simply being with our direct experience just as it is. So I'll give you a simple example. Let's say you wake up one morning and you look out your window and you see rain coming down.
And then this thought comes in this judgment that says, Ugh, what a horrible day. Now, is it true that the day is horrible? Of course not. It's just raining. But if you buy into that thought, you're very likely to experience negativity, grumpiness, sadness. But if you don't buy into that thought, then you're free to be at peace just to lay there, listening to the ring.
No problem, no negativity. Now and we know that just like the weather, the events of our lives are also constantly changing. They always will be. We have gain, we have loss, we have up, we have down new loves and heartbreaks, pain pleasure, praise, blame, success, and failure. All of that is a normal part of the richness and variety of being human.
But when we apply judgments and stories to what happens, we're often yanked around at the mercy of our reactions. So the most basic mental judgments we do are often liking and disliking. For instance, when we judge something or someone as good, nice. Right, we're elated. And we get attached to it.
When we judge something or someone is bad, horrible, wrong, we react with negative emotions. So Shakespeare once said, "There's nothing, either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so." That's also true. And when we're able to realize this truth, it means that we can learn to respond to the ever changing circumstances of our lives, non reactively, so that we're not always emotionally thrown around by the ups and downs of life. Now that doesn't mean we can't take action to change things. We certainly can.
And on the contrary, we can respond instead of reacting when we're not caught up in reactivity. So we can, we can take, you know, more skillful, more empowered actions. So in today's meditation, we're going to be focusing on cultivating this capacity to be non-reactive and more rooted in presence and inner peace. But in your daily life also, you know, see if you can focus on just laying aside judgments. Especially the ones that label things good and bad, right and wrong, like and dislike.
And instead, just being curious about what happens when you add no story at all to whatever arises. And instead, as best you, can just be fully present with what arises and respond when necessary with the best of who you are.
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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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