Podcast Summary
Relaxed vs Casual in Meditation: In meditation, it's crucial to distinguish between relaxed and casual states. Strive for relaxation to improve focus and mindfulness, but avoid casualness to effectively handle life's challenges and find peace.
There are two important distinctions to make in meditation practice: being relaxed and being casual. Wondery Plus subscribers can access the podcast "We Can Do Hard Things" early and ad-free, where hosts Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle have honest conversations about life's challenges with notable guests. Meanwhile, in the meditation world, Joseph Goldstein, a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between relaxed and casual states during meditation. Relaxed means allowing your body and mind to release tension, while casual refers to a lack of attention or carelessness. Joseph, who has written many books on meditation, including "One Dharma" and "Mindfulness," encourages meditators to strive for a relaxed state, which leads to greater focus and mindfulness. In both everyday life and meditation practice, it's essential to distinguish between these two states. By focusing on relaxation and avoiding casualness, we can improve our ability to handle life's challenges and find greater peace and happiness. Listen to Joseph Goldstein's teachings on meditation and wise effort to deepen your practice and understanding.
Meditation practice: Meditation is a practice of acceptance, relaxation, and observation, leading to a deeper understanding of impermanence and improved well-being.
Learning from this meditation discussion is that relaxation and acceptance are key components of meditation practice. By focusing on the present moment and the changing nature of experiences, we can better understand impermanence and reduce obsessive cravings. During meditation, we observe sensations, sounds, thoughts, and emotions, noting their arising and passing away. We can also focus on the question of what happens to each experience as we become aware of it. At times, we may experience rapid change, and in these moments, we can simply be in the flow of phenomena arising and passing. This practice helps us deepen our understanding of impermanence and improve our overall well-being. In summary, meditation is a practice of acceptance, relaxation, and observation, which can lead to a greater appreciation of the impermanent nature of all experiences.
Wondery Plus, Amazon Prime benefits: Subscribing to Wondery Plus or Amazon Prime allows early access and ad-free listening to '10% Happier' podcast, supports creators, and encourages personal growth through self-reflection
If you enjoy the "10% Happier" podcast, you can access it early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery Plus or through Amazon Prime. To do so, simply fill out a short survey at Wondery.com/survey. This not only gives you an ad-free listening experience but also supports the creators of the podcast. Additionally, this conversation reminded us of the importance of self-reflection and personal growth, which are core themes in "10% Happier." By taking the time to learn more about ourselves, we can improve our overall happiness and well-being. So, whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, consider taking this opportunity to deepen your connection to "10% Happier" and invest in your own personal growth.