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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, and welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session we're going to talk about anticipation of the future and whether or not you should practice focusing on a positive outcome or a negative outcome. So I think when many people put down thinking about the positive. The one argument is that, well, it's irrational. It's irrational to just be thinking about positive outcomes all the time, because we also need to think about what can go wrong, the potential negative outcomes.
And there's of course an argument for this, but I want to be really clear about something. Anticipating a negative outcome is just as irrational as anticipating a positive outcome because you really don't know what will happen. And or whether whatever does happen is perceived as positive or negative in the short-term or the long-term. So some say it's important to focus on the positive. Others say it's important to focus on the negative.
Some say you should focus on a combination of both and others still would say you shouldn't focus on any outcome, just be present in the moment. Well, I say there are many ways to use our mind effectively and to effectively live our lives. If you're trying to feel good, confident, and joyful, you might want to think about the future best case scenario, the positive outcome. You'll most likely notice that this kind of positive thinking can really lift your mood, can mitigate stress and gives you more energy. However, if you're trying to protect someone, a community of people or buffer against some sort of risk in your business, well you might want to think through the negative implications of a particular scenario, such as a certain political choice.
So this sort of negative thinking isn't so much negative, but rather an assessment of a potentially true future reality, which may inspire more important form of action in the present moment. Even if it includes a sense of fear, discomfort and some stress. So we can use imagined potential outcomes to inform a skillful response to our present moment context. And other times you may just want to let go and see how things unfold instead of using future oriented thinking, you just take care of the moment as best you can. The point is it's never as simple as just focus on the positive or just focus on the negative, or just let go of any thoughts about the future.
Mindfulness is more about cultivating an awareness of how your mind works and using that new understanding to be in a wiser relationship to your experience. So as always thank you for your practice and let's settle in for today's meditation.
Positive vs. Negative Thinking
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 back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session we're going to talk about anticipation of the future and whether or not you should practice focusing on a positive outcome or a negative outcome. So I think when many people put down thinking about the positive. The one argument is that, well, it's irrational. It's irrational to just be thinking about positive outcomes all the time, because we also need to think about what can go wrong, the potential negative outcomes.
And there's of course an argument for this, but I want to be really clear about something. Anticipating a negative outcome is just as irrational as anticipating a positive outcome because you really don't know what will happen. And or whether whatever does happen is perceived as positive or negative in the short-term or the long-term. So some say it's important to focus on the positive. Others say it's important to focus on the negative.
Some say you should focus on a combination of both and others still would say you shouldn't focus on any outcome, just be present in the moment. Well, I say there are many ways to use our mind effectively and to effectively live our lives. If you're trying to feel good, confident, and joyful, you might want to think about the future best case scenario, the positive outcome. You'll most likely notice that this kind of positive thinking can really lift your mood, can mitigate stress and gives you more energy. However, if you're trying to protect someone, a community of people or buffer against some sort of risk in your business, well you might want to think through the negative implications of a particular scenario, such as a certain political choice.
So this sort of negative thinking isn't so much negative, but rather an assessment of a potentially true future reality, which may inspire more important form of action in the present moment. Even if it includes a sense of fear, discomfort and some stress. So we can use imagined potential outcomes to inform a skillful response to our present moment context. And other times you may just want to let go and see how things unfold instead of using future oriented thinking, you just take care of the moment as best you can. The point is it's never as simple as just focus on the positive or just focus on the negative, or just let go of any thoughts about the future.
Mindfulness is more about cultivating an awareness of how your mind works and using that new understanding to be in a wiser relationship to your experience. So as always thank you for your practice and 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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