Podcast Summary
Goldie Hawn's meditation journey: Goldie Hawn, an actress, producer, director, and best-selling author, shares her personal story of discovering meditation after experiencing panic attacks in the late 60s, and her mission to introduce mindfulness to children through her charity, Mind Up.
Goldie Hawn, despite her goofball persona on screen, is a deeply curious and profoundly interested person in neuroscience and meditation in real life. Hawn, an Academy Award-winning actress, producer, director, and best-selling author, shares her personal story of getting interested in meditation after experiencing panic attacks, the power of curiosity, and her views on God, taking a brain break, jealousy, and making relationships last. Hawn's meditation journey began in the late 60s when she was pulled into acting and experienced panic attacks, leading her to seek help and eventually discover meditation. She has since made it her mission to introduce mindfulness to children through her charity, Mind Up. Hawn's interview provides a fuller picture of her as a person, beyond her on-screen image. Additionally, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to the podcast early and get a discount on a subscription to the 10% Happier app, which offers monthly check-ins and personalized meditation plans.
Introspection and Self-awareness: Rising above oneself through meditation and self-examination helps navigate fame, competition, and fosters compassion. Respect others' opinions, let go of grudges, and focus on intentions rather than external factors for personal growth.
Meditation and self-examination are crucial for personal growth and understanding the nature of consciousness. The speaker emphasizes the importance of rising above oneself and witnessing others' behaviors without judgment, which helped her navigate fame and competition in her industry. She also shares the value of respecting others' opinions and not holding grudges. Additionally, the speaker touches on the detrimental effects of jealousy and fear, urging the importance of focusing on one's intentions rather than external factors. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of introspection, self-awareness, and compassion in leading a fulfilling life.
Meditation and personal growth: Meditation strengthens the brain, reducing stress and boosting compassion, leading to improved cognitive function, emotional balance, and overall well-being.
Meditation, whether it's Transcendental Meditation, Tibetan Buddhist practices like Tonglen, or other forms, plays a crucial role in personal growth and well-being. Meditation can help individuals focus, reduce stress, and boost compassion. Neuroscience research shows that meditation strengthens the brain, leading to improved cognitive function and emotional balance. Additionally, spiritual practices, such as belief in a higher power or sense of belonging, can also contribute to overall well-being and happiness. By engaging in these practices and sharing the knowledge, we can collectively create a kinder world.
Emotional connection to God or higher power: Experiencing feelings of joy, love, and interconnectedness through God or a higher power is not limited to believers; it can also be accessed through meditation, prayer, or other means, providing a calming effect.
The concept of God or a higher power can bring feelings of joy, love, and interconnectedness, according to the speaker. She believes that everyone, including agnostics and atheists, can experience these feelings through different means. The speaker also shares her personal experience of feeling a sense of connection during meditation and through prayer, which she believes can have a calming effect. The idea that God or a higher power is hardwired in our brains and can be accessed through emotions and feelings was a recurring theme in the conversation.
Spiritual practices, healing: Prayer and meditation can significantly impact personal well-being and the healing process. Short meditation sessions throughout the day can benefit brain health and stress management.
Prayer and meditation can have profound effects on personal well-being and the healing process. The speaker, Goldie, shared her experience of praying over her newborn son when he was critically ill, which led to his recovery. She also emphasized the importance of meditation in managing stress and maintaining relationships, including her long-lasting partnership with Kurt Russell. Research suggests that short meditation sessions throughout the day can be as beneficial as longer sessions, helping to train the brain and maintain homeostasis. Goldie also touched upon the importance of understanding different perspectives in relationships and avoiding defensiveness. Overall, the discussion highlights the potential of spiritual and mindfulness practices to improve various aspects of life.
Mind Up, children's emotional health: Teaching children about their emotional system based on neuroscience can lead to reduced aggression, improved classroom performance, and increased self-regulation.
The pivot made by Goldie Hawn two decades ago from acting to founding the organization Mind Up was driven by her desire to help children be happier and healthier. She believed that teaching them about the brain, specifically the emotional system, could help them manage their emotions and improve their cognitive abilities. This approach, based on neuroscience, has been shown to have positive effects, including reduced aggression, improved classroom performance, and increased self-regulation. Hawn's ultimate goal is to provide children with preventative mental health programs at an early age, believing that this could have a significant impact on their lives and potentially on history, as mental health issues continue to be major challenges for individuals and society.
Mental health in children: Infusing children's brains with right tools through mindfulness and neuroscience can help them become better listeners, more patient, and positively impact others. Practicing mindfulness as a family can improve overall well-being.
Awareness and education are key to addressing mental health issues in children at an early age. Goldie Hawn, the founder of Mind Up, shares her personal experience and the importance of neuroscience and mindfulness in schools. She emphasizes the need to infuse children's developing brains with the right tools and encourages parents to practice mindfulness with their children. By making mindfulness a family practice, parents can help their children become better listeners, more patient, and ultimately, positively impact the lives of others. Mind Up, an organization that offers neuroscience-based programs, can be found at mindup.org. By practicing simple mindfulness exercises together, families can improve their overall well-being and create a ripple effect of positive change.
