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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 most fundamental aggression to ourselves. Now, this comes from a quote by the great meditation teacher, Pema Chodron, where she says, "The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently." Let me say that one again, because in some ways it, it can come across as provocative, but there's a lot here. So really see how this lands for you. The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves, honestly and gently.
So notice what that brings up for you. And this is a pretty strong statement, saying that the, the most fundamental harm we can create is not having an honest conversation with ourselves, not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly, but also gently. I think what I like about this is that it's the embodiment of, of wisdom, but also fierce compassion. Her word choice here is very specific. The courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.
I think sometimes when we're talking about self-care and self-love, it can remain on the, how could we say that, the more fluffy level. You should just say nice things to yourself. Pamper yourself. Be good to yourself. It's not your fault.
And yeah, there's, there's some utility to that and it can feel good, but that's not necessarily having an honest conversation with yourself. It's not looking at yourself with the kind of respect that says, yeah, you may have made a mistake here, but I know you can do better. And where are we tripping up? What can we improve? Where can we maybe have a more positive influence in our life? Where can we take care of people in a better way? Where can we maybe not get so caught up in our own egos or our own selfish, selfish, motivations? All of that requires having a respect for yourself and courage to look at yourself honestly and gently. So it doesn't have to be this sterile analysis where you put yourself on the witness stand and look at everything and drill into everything that's wrong. No, it's just looking at ourselves very honestly, but also gently, with reverence and respect for the complexity of being human.
But as Pema Chodron says, not doing this is the most fundamental aggression to ourselves. And I believe what she means by that is that the absence of this honest looking is the thing that keeps us in our patterns. It keeps us in our thought processes, our emotions, our habits that are often destructive and causing more harm for ourselves and for others. And the only way to have a positive impact in our life is to meet ourselves honestly, to meet the truth of what is here. That is how we wake up.
And that is how we transform. So I hope this gives you something to consider. Thank you for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.
Do Not Remain Ignorant
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 most fundamental aggression to ourselves. Now, this comes from a quote by the great meditation teacher, Pema Chodron, where she says, "The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently." Let me say that one again, because in some ways it, it can come across as provocative, but there's a lot here. So really see how this lands for you. The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves, honestly and gently.
So notice what that brings up for you. And this is a pretty strong statement, saying that the, the most fundamental harm we can create is not having an honest conversation with ourselves, not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly, but also gently. I think what I like about this is that it's the embodiment of, of wisdom, but also fierce compassion. Her word choice here is very specific. The courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.
I think sometimes when we're talking about self-care and self-love, it can remain on the, how could we say that, the more fluffy level. You should just say nice things to yourself. Pamper yourself. Be good to yourself. It's not your fault.
And yeah, there's, there's some utility to that and it can feel good, but that's not necessarily having an honest conversation with yourself. It's not looking at yourself with the kind of respect that says, yeah, you may have made a mistake here, but I know you can do better. And where are we tripping up? What can we improve? Where can we maybe have a more positive influence in our life? Where can we take care of people in a better way? Where can we maybe not get so caught up in our own egos or our own selfish, selfish, motivations? All of that requires having a respect for yourself and courage to look at yourself honestly and gently. So it doesn't have to be this sterile analysis where you put yourself on the witness stand and look at everything and drill into everything that's wrong. No, it's just looking at ourselves very honestly, but also gently, with reverence and respect for the complexity of being human.
But as Pema Chodron says, not doing this is the most fundamental aggression to ourselves. And I believe what she means by that is that the absence of this honest looking is the thing that keeps us in our patterns. It keeps us in our thought processes, our emotions, our habits that are often destructive and causing more harm for ourselves and for others. And the only way to have a positive impact in our life is to meet ourselves honestly, to meet the truth of what is here. That is how we wake up.
And that is how we transform. So I hope this gives you something to consider. Thank you for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.
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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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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.
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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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