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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
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Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about the relationship between impermanence and detachment. I'd like to start by sharing a story. When I was in Burma, living as a monk, I remember the early stages of that retreat being very difficult. We were sleeping only a few hours a night, eating two small meals before noon and meditating over 14 hours per day.
For me, it was very difficult, but there was one monk who was there. His name was Usamangkala who became a bit of a silent mentor for me. I say silent because we weren't really supposed to talk, but he could see that I was struggling early on. Then he approached me when no one was looking and said, How are you doing? Do you need help with anything? And we developed a bit of a relationship, even though we didn't talk too much. But anytime that I'd be struggling, he'd ask me how I was doing.
And he, in some ways served as a father figure while I was there, someone that I could trust, someone that had a practice that I've respected and knew I could count on if things were going difficult. Early on in that retreat though, a couple months in, I remember one day he came up to me and said, Just so you know, I'm leaving tomorrow. And it felt like a dagger in my heart. It was so painful. I didn't realize how much I had connected with him.
And the next day, I remember going into one of the teacher meetings that I had and and telling them about this experience. And I said, you know I experienced the pain of impermanence. And the teacher looked at me and smiled and said, no, you didn't experience the pain of impermanence. You experienced the pain of attachment. And that was a big aha moment.
Because what it communicated to me is that the impermanent nature of life is not what causes suffering, it's our attachment to things that are inherently impermanent. And I still have a complicated relationship to this because a part of Macy's such beauty in the pain that I experienced in my separation from Usamangkala. To me, it represented that there was a lot of love there, a lot of care and a lot of connection. And at the same time, it was still painful. And I'd prefer not to feel that pain in other areas of my life.
So I think we can look at attachment through a positive lens and also look at it as something that we can slowly do some work on so that we're not gripping so tightly to the things in our life. It's possible to appreciate what is here and also develop the wisdom that it won't always be here. A meditation practice helps us do this. Each time we focus on the breath, we watch it come, we watch it pass. That training is the training to see impermanence more deeply and organically the mind starts to loosen its grip on holding on to moments staying the same way over and over.
So you could trust your meditation practice for this, and you can explore bringing it into your day to day life. As always, thank you for your practice. I look forward to talking to you in the meditation and until then take care.
Attachment & Impermanence
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, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about the relationship between impermanence and detachment. I'd like to start by sharing a story. When I was in Burma, living as a monk, I remember the early stages of that retreat being very difficult. We were sleeping only a few hours a night, eating two small meals before noon and meditating over 14 hours per day.
For me, it was very difficult, but there was one monk who was there. His name was Usamangkala who became a bit of a silent mentor for me. I say silent because we weren't really supposed to talk, but he could see that I was struggling early on. Then he approached me when no one was looking and said, How are you doing? Do you need help with anything? And we developed a bit of a relationship, even though we didn't talk too much. But anytime that I'd be struggling, he'd ask me how I was doing.
And he, in some ways served as a father figure while I was there, someone that I could trust, someone that had a practice that I've respected and knew I could count on if things were going difficult. Early on in that retreat though, a couple months in, I remember one day he came up to me and said, Just so you know, I'm leaving tomorrow. And it felt like a dagger in my heart. It was so painful. I didn't realize how much I had connected with him.
And the next day, I remember going into one of the teacher meetings that I had and and telling them about this experience. And I said, you know I experienced the pain of impermanence. And the teacher looked at me and smiled and said, no, you didn't experience the pain of impermanence. You experienced the pain of attachment. And that was a big aha moment.
Because what it communicated to me is that the impermanent nature of life is not what causes suffering, it's our attachment to things that are inherently impermanent. And I still have a complicated relationship to this because a part of Macy's such beauty in the pain that I experienced in my separation from Usamangkala. To me, it represented that there was a lot of love there, a lot of care and a lot of connection. And at the same time, it was still painful. And I'd prefer not to feel that pain in other areas of my life.
So I think we can look at attachment through a positive lens and also look at it as something that we can slowly do some work on so that we're not gripping so tightly to the things in our life. It's possible to appreciate what is here and also develop the wisdom that it won't always be here. A meditation practice helps us do this. Each time we focus on the breath, we watch it come, we watch it pass. That training is the training to see impermanence more deeply and organically the mind starts to loosen its grip on holding on to moments staying the same way over and over.
So you could trust your meditation practice for this, and you can explore bringing it into your day to day life. As always, thank you for your practice. I look forward to talking to you in the meditation and until then take care.
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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.
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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.
-
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