Podcast Summary
Mindfulness and Compassion: Practicing mindfulness and compassion, such as Cultivating Loving Kindness, can be done on the go and lead to increased happiness and reduced judgmentalism in a busy city environment.
Practicing mindfulness and compassion, even in a busy city environment, can lead to increased happiness and reduced judgmentalism. Meditation teacher Jay Michelson, who holds impressive credentials including a JD from Yale, a PhD in Jewish thought from Hebrew University, and non-denominational rabbinic ordination, suggests a practice called "Cultivating Loving Kindness" which can be done on the go. This involves grounding oneself in the body and observing people and situations with kindness and compassion, rather than judgment. This practice can be done anywhere, even while part of the city rush, and can help improve overall well-being. If you're interested in trying this practice, join Wondery Plus to listen to the 10% Happier podcast and add Jay Michelson's bonus meditation for free.
Imagining stories for strangers: Imagining stories for strangers can foster empathy, compassion, and a deeper appreciation for the human experience, curing loneliness and opening our hearts.
We often make assumptions about strangers based on limited information, but we don't truly know what they're going through. To combat this, we can practice imagining stories for people we see, focusing on their potential joy and pain, and extending them loving kindness. This practice not only helps us connect with others, but also cures loneliness and opens our hearts. By taking a moment to imagine the lives of those around us, we can foster empathy, compassion, and a deeper appreciation for the human experience. So the next time you're people watching, try imagining the stories behind the faces, and extend a little wish of goodwill to the strangers in your life.