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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 to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, I'm going to talk about communicating in a way that creates a mutual understanding. So it was Stephen Covey, who I first heard say, "Seek first to understand then to be understood." That was in his popular book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Now, the reason that this is such valuable advice, is it's actually counter-intuitive and most people don't naturally do this. Seeking to understand first is harder than it sounds.
Many of us listen to others with the intent of replying, rather than trying to fully understand what the other person is saying. We often actually just have this sense of wanting other people to see things from our point of view. We don't really want to hear theirs. You know, even, we might even interrupt, get defensive, become disengaged. You know, maybe reaching for our phone or becoming fidgety and distracted without realizing how that's actually coming across to the other person speaking.
But we can be actually pretty sure that the other person has noticed that we're not truly taking in what they're saying or how they're feeling. We might be opposed to an opinion or an idea being expressed at times. So in those moments, we also become really actually defensive or kind of cold towards the other person. And so they're left with this feeling of being unheard or even uncared for as though what they have to say matters less than what we have to say, or maybe even it doesn't matter to us at all. So when we don't truly listen, it creates a defensive environment that's really ripe for misunderstandings, distrust, and really.
But we can learn to listen more mindfully and create more connection, more harmony and understanding. And we can start with this simple practice of seeking to understand before being understood. So the next time a colleague is sharing an idea a friend or a partner is sharing their view on things, see if you can really be present and listen without judgment, just with curiosity and openness. Give the person speaking an unhurried and relaxed space to express themselves fully. If anything's unclear to you ask clarifying questions and see if you can leave a little pause before you respond.
By taking the time to truly understand the other person, we set up the conditions for mutual trust, care, and respect. And we make it much more likely that when it's our turn to speak, we will also be fully heard. So that's the invitation for practice today. Seek to understand, and then to be understood. I wish you well with this.
And as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. Let's now settle in for today's meditation.
"Seek to Understand, Then to Be Understood"
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 communicating in a way that creates a mutual understanding. So it was Stephen Covey, who I first heard say, "Seek first to understand then to be understood." That was in his popular book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Now, the reason that this is such valuable advice, is it's actually counter-intuitive and most people don't naturally do this. Seeking to understand first is harder than it sounds.
Many of us listen to others with the intent of replying, rather than trying to fully understand what the other person is saying. We often actually just have this sense of wanting other people to see things from our point of view. We don't really want to hear theirs. You know, even, we might even interrupt, get defensive, become disengaged. You know, maybe reaching for our phone or becoming fidgety and distracted without realizing how that's actually coming across to the other person speaking.
But we can be actually pretty sure that the other person has noticed that we're not truly taking in what they're saying or how they're feeling. We might be opposed to an opinion or an idea being expressed at times. So in those moments, we also become really actually defensive or kind of cold towards the other person. And so they're left with this feeling of being unheard or even uncared for as though what they have to say matters less than what we have to say, or maybe even it doesn't matter to us at all. So when we don't truly listen, it creates a defensive environment that's really ripe for misunderstandings, distrust, and really.
But we can learn to listen more mindfully and create more connection, more harmony and understanding. And we can start with this simple practice of seeking to understand before being understood. So the next time a colleague is sharing an idea a friend or a partner is sharing their view on things, see if you can really be present and listen without judgment, just with curiosity and openness. Give the person speaking an unhurried and relaxed space to express themselves fully. If anything's unclear to you ask clarifying questions and see if you can leave a little pause before you respond.
By taking the time to truly understand the other person, we set up the conditions for mutual trust, care, and respect. And we make it much more likely that when it's our turn to speak, we will also be fully heard. So that's the invitation for practice today. Seek to understand, and then to be understood. I wish you well with this.
And as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. Let's now settle in for today's meditation.
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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.
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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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