Podcast Summary
Gentle care for little ones and self-discovery for adults: Pampers Swaddlers provide gentle, leak-proof protection for babies, while 3rd love offers customized bra sizes for adults. Embrace self-discovery for mental peace.
Taking care of our little ones requires gentleness and protection, especially when it comes to their delicate skin. Pampers, the number one pediatrician-recommended diaper brand, offers gentle protective care with their Swaddlers diapers, which absorb wetness better and provide 100% leak-proof skin protection. Additionally, their free and gentle wipes, made from 100% plant-based cloth, keep babies' skin healthy and tear-free. Meanwhile, 3rd love revolutionizes the bra industry by addressing size exclusivity with half cup sizes and a virtual fitting room, making it easier for women to find a comfortable and stylish fit. Lastly, embracing our "weird selves" and practicing self-discovery can lead to increased sanity and peace of mind.
Struggling with Mental Health During Challenging Times: During hardships, it's common to face internal battles and mental health struggles. Instead of trusting one voice over another, observe and detach to find self-awareness and inner peace.
During challenging times, many people experience heightened feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, which can lead some to struggle with mental health issues, such as disordered thinking. The speaker shares her personal experience of a bulimia relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic and the internal battle she faced between two voices in her head, one critical and the other self-shaming. She found solace in the book "The Untethered Soul," which helped her realize that instead of trying to decide which voice to trust, she needed to learn to observe and detach from both, ultimately leading her to a greater sense of self-awareness and inner peace.
We're not our thoughts: Recognize that true peace and clarity come from beyond our thoughts, not from constant battles between them.
Our thoughts, the voices in our heads, are not who we truly are. We've been conditioned to believe that certain voices represent our "sane" or "rational" selves, while others are "crazy" or "disordered." However, Glennon Doyle's experience, as discussed in the podcast, challenges this notion. She realized that all the voices in her head are "crazy" and that she doesn't have to be in a constant battle between them. Instead, she needs to drop deeper within herself and trust that true peace and sense don't come from our thoughts but from a place beyond them. This idea, which has been explored by various spiritual teachers throughout history, suggests that we are not our thoughts and that we need to move beyond them to find inner peace and clarity.
Understanding and managing our inner dialogue: Personify your inner voice, question its negativity, and learn to separate yourself from your thoughts for emotional well-being.
Our inner dialogue plays a significant role in how we perceive and react to the world around us. According to the discussion, this constant inner narrator is always deciding who's good and who's bad, what's right and what's wrong, and it can be a source of endless problems. Singer's suggestion is to personify this inner roommate and consider if we would like them as a friend. If not, we need to find a way to free ourselves from their negative influence. Our minds are always interpreting things, and it's essential to recognize when we're making things personal and giving them meaning that may not be accurate. The discussion also touched upon the idea that most spiritual traditions acknowledge the existence of a constant inner dialogue, which they call the monkey mind. By understanding this and learning to separate ourselves from our thoughts, we can reduce the impact they have on our emotions and overall well-being.
Identify a consistent source of grounding and stability: To live intentionally and stay connected to our core selves, we must identify a consistent source of grounding and stability, like a touch tree in the wilderness.
To live well and avoid getting lost, we need to identify our "touch tree" - a consistent source of grounding and stability that helps us stay true to ourselves. This concept was illustrated in a survivor show, where the best strategy for getting found while also surviving was to stay near a prominent tree and venture out only for necessary resources. However, our minds, like the Internet, can be chaotic and lack intentional order without clear direction. Therefore, it's essential to give our minds a job or purpose, ensuring we live intentionally and stay connected to our core selves. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding that our minds, while useful, may not always lead us in the right direction. By identifying and returning to our touch tree, we can maintain a sense of self and navigate life's challenges effectively.
Beyond physical form and external circumstances, identity is rooted in consciousness: Understanding consciousness as the foundation of identity can lead to deeper self-awareness and a more fulfilling life
Our identity, including our understanding of gender, age, and self, is not limited to the physical or external aspects of ourselves. Instead, it is rooted in our consciousness, which is beyond race, gender, age, and class. This consciousness, often referred to as the soul or spirit, remains constant throughout our lives, despite the changes in our physical form and external circumstances. By recognizing this, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Additionally, struggling with mental health issues can provide valuable insights into the nature of consciousness and the importance of focusing on inner peace and happiness rather than trying to fix external problems. Ultimately, this perspective can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Finding inner peace and calm: To effectively tackle challenges, find peace within and approach issues from a centered and grounded place, focusing on the present moment and nourishing mind and body.
Finding inner peace and calm is essential to effectively tackle the challenges of the world. It's not about detaching from the issues, but rather approaching them from a centered and grounded place. When we're in a state of panic or negativity, we're less effective in making positive changes. The mind can be a distraction, and it's easy to get lost in it, missing out on the present moment. To avoid this, we can practice mindfulness or soulfulness, focusing on the present and finding peace within ourselves. This doesn't mean ignoring problems or avoiding action, but rather approaching them with a clear and calm mind. And just as we prioritize our pets' health and wellbeing, we should also prioritize our own by nourishing our minds and bodies with fresh, healthy food for thought.
Beyond thoughts and emotions: Recognizing our true selves: Recognize that we're not our thoughts or emotions, but rather the observers of them. Strive for a spiritual perspective that accepts all experiences as part of the divine order.
Our true selves lie beyond our thoughts and emotions, and the constant judgment and separation of good and bad by our minds can be seen as a metaphorical fall from grace. The idea is that we are not our thoughts, but rather the observers of them. By recognizing this, we can begin to shift our focus towards a more spiritual perspective, where we can accept and act without fear or judgment. The challenge, as described by Michael Singer, is navigating the three rings of our existence - the world, emotions, and thoughts - while recognizing that we are not these things. Instead, we are the consciousness that witnesses them all. The Bible's story of Adam and Eve can be interpreted as a metaphor for this concept, with the fall representing our descent into the mind's constant judgment and separation of good and bad. To live in a more peaceful and fulfilling way, we must strive to return to the state of consciousness that accepts all experiences as part of the divine order.
Finding inner strength and resilience: To effectively grow and make a difference, focus on inner self, drawing upon dignity and self-worth, acting as unwavering roots in beliefs.
Finding inner strength and resilience, even in the face of adversity, is essential for personal growth and effective activism. This concept, which can be traced back to centuries-old traditions, encourages individuals to focus on their inner selves, drawing upon their dignity and sense of self-worth to remain steadfast in their convictions. As the speaker eloquently put it, "we shall not be moved." This mindset allows us to move beyond reacting to external circumstances and instead, act as the roots, grounded and unwavering in our beliefs. A practical example of this was shared during a wedding week where, despite numerous challenges, the couple remained focused on their happiness, ultimately experiencing everything as perfect. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for individuals seeking to make a difference to dig deep and find their inner roots, acting as if they are already free and dignified, rather than waiting for external validation.
Daily practice for peace and liberation: Consistently practice meditation, notice thoughts, engage in joyful activities, and respond to disturbances in a self-relevant way for self-improvement and spiritual growth.
Finding peace and liberation in life is a daily practice. This can be achieved through various methods such as meditation, noticing thoughts, or engaging in activities that bring joy and safety, like yoga. The key is to consistently return to this practice throughout the day. Another important aspect is learning to respond to disturbances in a self-relevant way, rather than getting consumed by them. By asking what part of oneself is being disturbed, one can gain a better understanding of their reactions and make conscious choices about which "assignments" to take on. Ultimately, the most important project is self-improvement, as spiritual growth sets us apart from those who are solely focused on the world around them.
Our perception shapes our approach to life: Recognizing inner peace comes from acknowledging thoughts and emotions without judgment leads to relief and resilience.
Our perception of worldly and spiritual matters can significantly impact how we approach problems and situations in our lives. While the worldly person may focus on external changes, the spiritual person recognizes that inner peace comes from acknowledging and accepting our thoughts and emotions without judgment. This realization can lead to a reduction in self-punishment and external blame, providing relief and reducing the mental load. Practically, this means recognizing that our brains are not always rational and allowing ourselves to step back when we feel overwhelmed. It's essential to remember that we cannot control others or ourselves entirely and that our inner voices may not always be trustworthy. By acknowledging these truths, we can find moments of peace and resilience, even during challenging times. Overall, embracing this perspective can lead to a more mindful and compassionate approach to life.