Browse
Top articles
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
00:00
00:00
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, I'm going to talk about the importance of assuming less and asking more. I'm going to start off with a story. Johnny was on his way to school. He was worried about the maths lesson.
He wasn't sure he could control the class again today. It was not part of a janitors duty. So, what did you notice happening in your mind as I spoke those sentences in that story? Most people find that they repeatedly update their view of what's happening in their mind's eye. Of course, first they assume Johnny is a young student, then a teacher, and then the vision moves into him being a janitor. So this story is often used to illustrate how our mind is continuously working behind the scenes of our lives to build a picture of reality of what's going on.
So, because the mind does this so quickly, we rarely, if ever, experience life as it is. But instead we experience it through inferences we make based on the data that we're given in any moment. The mind elaborates on the data. Attaching stories to it, making assumptions based on past experience, and also in order to anticipate what this is likely going to mean in the future. As a result events experienced in the mind's eye can end up differing massively from one person to another, and from objective reality.
On any given day, we are constantly making guesses and assumptions and predictions about the world, about other people, and we're barely even conscious of it. But these assumptions are often not accurate. And can also lead to a lot of misunderstanding, conflict and suffering, as most of us have experienced at one point or another. The Johnny story points to a simple lesson about assumptions. We often get things wrong.
So here are, two steps to help you let go of assumption so you can find more mental clarity and connection. The first thing is simple. Question your assumptions, especially in times when you're feeling negativity, resentment, or irritation towards someone. Simply ask yourself if you might've made an assumption or jumped to a conclusion. This is surprisingly powerful.
Experiment, instead with being more curious and open-minded and equanimous, especially in times when you feel hurt or triggered. Now, secondly, instead of making assumptions, experiment with asking questions to others, instead. Try using statements, I statements like: did you know that I was already waiting here in line when you jumped in front? I wasn't really sure. Or you could also make requests to people. Would you please do this or that? So in this case you might say, would you mind lining up behind the others who were here before you? So by asking questions and making requests, we increase clarity and connection while reducing potential conflict and misunderstanding.
So the invitation for you today and ongoing is to see if you can let go a little of this tendency to jump to conclusions and make assumptions, and instead open up to more curiosity and connection. As always thank you for your practice and your presence here. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Assume Less, Ask More
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, I'm going to talk about the importance of assuming less and asking more. I'm going to start off with a story. Johnny was on his way to school. He was worried about the maths lesson.
He wasn't sure he could control the class again today. It was not part of a janitors duty. So, what did you notice happening in your mind as I spoke those sentences in that story? Most people find that they repeatedly update their view of what's happening in their mind's eye. Of course, first they assume Johnny is a young student, then a teacher, and then the vision moves into him being a janitor. So this story is often used to illustrate how our mind is continuously working behind the scenes of our lives to build a picture of reality of what's going on.
So, because the mind does this so quickly, we rarely, if ever, experience life as it is. But instead we experience it through inferences we make based on the data that we're given in any moment. The mind elaborates on the data. Attaching stories to it, making assumptions based on past experience, and also in order to anticipate what this is likely going to mean in the future. As a result events experienced in the mind's eye can end up differing massively from one person to another, and from objective reality.
On any given day, we are constantly making guesses and assumptions and predictions about the world, about other people, and we're barely even conscious of it. But these assumptions are often not accurate. And can also lead to a lot of misunderstanding, conflict and suffering, as most of us have experienced at one point or another. The Johnny story points to a simple lesson about assumptions. We often get things wrong.
So here are, two steps to help you let go of assumption so you can find more mental clarity and connection. The first thing is simple. Question your assumptions, especially in times when you're feeling negativity, resentment, or irritation towards someone. Simply ask yourself if you might've made an assumption or jumped to a conclusion. This is surprisingly powerful.
Experiment, instead with being more curious and open-minded and equanimous, especially in times when you feel hurt or triggered. Now, secondly, instead of making assumptions, experiment with asking questions to others, instead. Try using statements, I statements like: did you know that I was already waiting here in line when you jumped in front? I wasn't really sure. Or you could also make requests to people. Would you please do this or that? So in this case you might say, would you mind lining up behind the others who were here before you? So by asking questions and making requests, we increase clarity and connection while reducing potential conflict and misunderstanding.
So the invitation for you today and ongoing is to see if you can let go a little of this tendency to jump to conclusions and make assumptions, and instead open up to more curiosity and connection. As always thank you for your practice and your presence here. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Available everywhere.
Access on the web or in our mobile app.
Duration
Available everywhere.
Access on the web or in our mobile app.
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
Already purchased?
Get Unlimited Access
A Mindfulness Plus+ subscription gives you unlimited access to a world of premium mindfulness content.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a more mindful life! As a token of our appreciation, we want to offer you an exclusive opportunity to upgrade to Mindfulness Plus+ for a price you won't find anywhere else.
Mindfulness Plus+ is our premium membership that includes everything you need to learn mindfulness and keep practicing throughout all stages of life.
Take this exclusive offer to further your mindfulness skills and experience deeper levels of well-being.
Annual membership
$0
Just a small sample of the life-changing 5-star reviews we get on a daily basis.
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
Claim your free access
Create a mindfulness account and we’ll unlock this premium session in your account forever.
7-Days free trial, cancel anytime.
Complete a few quick questions to make your own personalized mindfulness plan.