Podcast Summary
Focusing on foundational self-care practices during uncertain times: Prioritize rest, reduce media consumption, and engage in activities that promote overall well-being and resilience during stressful times to maintain physical and emotional health
During uncertain and anxious times, self-care is crucial for reducing discomfort and harm for ourselves and others. Lama Rod Owens, a Buddhist teacher, suggests focusing on foundational, long-term methods of managing emotions, such as rest, reducing media consumption, and engaging in activities that provide a break for the nervous system. While quick pleasures like heavy drinking or binge eating may seem appealing, they can have negative long-term effects. Instead, consider practices that promote overall well-being and resilience. Self-care may seem like a cliche, but in times of stress, it is essential for maintaining both physical and emotional health.
Practicing self-care during uncertain times: Self-care is essential for sustainable living and effective long-term work. It means taking necessary breaks to restore and reduce anxiety, focusing on the present moment, and accepting uncertainty with openheartedness.
Self-care is an essential form of self-preservation, especially during long-term work or uncertain times. Self-care goes beyond indulgence and instead means taking necessary breaks to restore and return to the work with renewed energy. The Buddhist practice of holding space and meeting uncertainty with openheartedness can help in dealing with the inevitable uncertainties of life. By focusing on the present moment and recognizing and accepting whatever arises, we can reduce anxiety and fully engage in our experiences. Self-care is not a cliché but a vital practice for sustainable living and effective long-term work.
Accepting the present moment and discomfort: Embrace the present, acknowledge discomfort, reduce suffering, make conscious choices, practice gratitude
Embracing the present moment and accepting discomfort can open up space in the mind and lead to greater capacity for choice and gratitude. Instead of being consumed by uncertainty and anxiety, we can choose to acknowledge and welcome these feelings, which can help reduce suffering and provide clarity for making productive next steps. This mindset shift involves accepting the present moment without resistance and using it as an opportunity to make conscious choices, even if that means taking a break to regulate and seek care when needed. Practicing gratitude for what is currently going well and the efforts being made towards a better future can also help counteract feelings of anxiety and despair.
Inviting Anxiety In: Instead of fighting or numbing anxiety, invite it in and focus on its physical sensations for increased mindfulness and balance. Practice interoceptive awareness with care, and use grounding techniques if triggered or overwhelmed.
When dealing with anxiety, instead of trying to fight or numb it out, we can invite it in and get curious about it by focusing on where it shows up in our bodies. This practice, called interoceptive awareness, can help us become more mindful and balanced. However, it's important to approach this practice with care, especially for those who have experienced trauma. If we feel triggered or overwhelmed during our practice, it's essential to suspend it and shift our attention to something more grounding and neutral. Practices like earth grounding meditation, where we focus on the weight of our body on the floor, can be particularly beneficial during these times. Remember, the goal is not to avoid or suppress our emotions, but to develop a deeper understanding and compassion for them.
Being aware and making adjustments: Celebrate awareness, lean into discomfort to heal, and hold space for processing and mourning collectively
Meditation is not about suspending all activities, but rather being aware and making adjustments in the moment. It's about allowing and noticing, even in the face of discomfort and anxiety. The ultimate goal is to experience more openness, ease, and gentleness. We should celebrate becoming aware of things we've been avoiding, and then lean into them to unpack and heal. In these challenging times, it's essential to bring our practice to the heart of our individual and collective hurt and woundedness. We must hold the space for discomfort and work together to process and mourn as a nation.
Embrace vulnerability for deeper self-discovery and authentic relationships: Vulnerability leads to self-discovery, authentic relationships, increased agency, and empowerment. It's a practice of responding instead of reacting, and can initially feel weak but leads to profound personal growth.
Allowing and vulnerability are not synonymous with passivity or resignation, but rather essential components for self-discovery and authentic relationships. By letting go of the need to control every situation and embracing vulnerability, one can gain a deeper understanding of oneself and others, leading to increased agency and empowerment. This practice of responding instead of reacting allows for clearer perception and wiser decision-making. It's important to remember that vulnerability may initially feel weak or passive, but with practice and support, it can lead to profound personal growth and stronger connections with others.
Hosting a Memorable Easter Brunch with Whole Foods and Audible: Whole Foods offers top-quality eggs, catered options, and natural products for Easter brunch. Audible provides an extensive collection of audio books for entertainment and relaxation. Author Lamorando suggests acknowledging emotions beneath anger for emotional balance.
During the Easter season, Whole Foods Market offers the perfect solution for hosting a memorable brunch with loved ones. From top-quality cage-free eggs to catered options, and an extensive selection of natural products, Whole Foods has got you covered. Additionally, Audible provides an extensive collection of audio books across various genres, including thrillers, making it an excellent choice for entertainment and relaxation. Furthermore, author Lamorando recommends acknowledging and tending to the emotions beneath anger, rather than reacting to it, for a healthier emotional balance.
Transforming Anger: Harnessing its Power: Anger can be a source of hurt and harm, but with self-awareness and empathy, it can be transformed into a tool for positive change.
Anger can be transformative if we learn to understand and manage it skillfully. Anger is an indication of hurt and can be used to create benefit for ourselves and others, rather than causing harm. To effectively use anger, it's essential to acknowledge and tend to the woundedness beneath it, and expand our empathy to those experiencing similar emotions. Practicing experiencing anger fully, both mentally and physically, can help us develop the capacity to manage it effectively and reduce its overwhelming impact. If managing anger through conscious means proves difficult, it's valid to choose alternative methods to cope. Overall, anger is a powerful emotion that, with mindful attention and compassion, can be harnessed to create positive change.
Managing Emotions: Balance Mindfulness and Self-Care: Practice mindfulness and self-care to manage emotions, experience emotions fully but not to the point of overwhelm, and extend empathy and compassion to others for a happier world.
Managing emotions, especially intense ones like anger, requires a balance between practicing mindfulness and self-care. It's important to develop the capacity to experience emotions fully, but not to the point of overwhelm. The ultimate goal is to experience everything, including love and compassion for ourselves and others. However, starting with self-love and gradually expanding to neutral and difficult people is a recommended approach. Love, according to the speaker, is about wanting safety and well-being for all beings, regardless of personal feelings towards them. By extending empathy and compassion to others, we can contribute to a reduction of violence and harm, and ultimately increase happiness and authenticity in the world.
Embrace discomfort and focus on what's restorative: During challenging times, embrace discomfort, practice vulnerability, and focus on restorative actions for future generations.
During challenging times, it's essential to lean into the discomfort, practice vulnerability, and focus on what's restorative and supportive. We're all going through a period of evolution, and the pain we experience now is part of the process. The actions we take now may not bear fruit in our lifetime, but they will have an impact on the future. It's important to remember that we're preparing the ground for those who come after us. Embrace the discomfort, hold your breath, and push through. Join Reverend Angel Kyoto Williams for a live conversation and guided meditation on November 4th, 2020, at 3 p.m. Eastern on the 10% Happier YouTube channel. For more expert guidance, check out the Election Sanity topic in the 10% Happier app.
Expressing gratitude and introducing new adventures: Listeners are encouraged to stick together during challenges and enjoy new adventures, whether on business trips or through family-friendly podcasts like 'The Cat in the Hatcast'.
The team behind "10% Happier" expresses their gratitude to their colleagues and listeners, and encourages everyone to stick together during challenging times. They remind us that even during business trips, there's always an opportunity for adventure and fun. Additionally, they introduce a new family-friendly podcast, "The Cat in the Hatcast," which promises to whisk audiences away on a new adventure every week, filled with songs, wordplay, and unexpected twists. To enjoy these podcasts ad-free and early, listeners can join Wondery Plus or Wondery Kids Plus. And if you're a frequent traveler, don't forget that your Delta SkyMiles Business American Express card can help you earn rewards towards future trips.
