Former monk, Cory Muscara, shares his journey from Long Island to monastery life, emphasizing mindfulness practice and self-awareness. Topics include labeling experiences for clarity, embracing open awareness, and inner exploration for true wisdom and growth.
Corey Allen's journey into meditation started with impressing a girlfriend, showcasing the transformative power of personal motivation.
Intense monastery meditation practices taught Corey the impermanence of thoughts and emotions, leading to profound self-awareness.
Deep dives
Corey Allen's Meditation Journey
Corey Allen discusses how his journey into meditation began with the desire to impress a girlfriend, leading him to delve deeper into the practice after a breakup. His innate curiosity and energy guided him towards exploring mindfulness and meditation despite being in a fraternity in college. The initial appeal was the uniqueness of the practice, aligning with his desire to engage in something distinctive.
Exploring the Depth of Meditative Practices
Corey delves into his experience at a monastery in Burma, where he engaged in rigorous meditation practices. He describes the intense schedule of up to 14 hours of meditation a day, focusing on mental labeling of experiences and the rising and falling of the abdomen. Through this practice, he learned to observe the impermanence of thoughts and emotions, leading to a deeper understanding of the self.
Unwinding Patterns and Seeking Inner Wisdom
Corey emphasizes the importance of unwinding patterns and behaviors rather than adding more to achieve personal growth and healing. He reflects on the significance of connecting with a deeper place within ourselves, a space of wholeness and wisdom. By focusing on less doing and more being, Corey highlights the journey of aligning decisions with inner wisdom rather than fear or control.
Transformation through Intimacy with Experience
The conversation delves into the challenges of translating deep meditative wisdom into everyday life experiences. Corey and the host discuss the need to align insights gained from meditation with the complexities of modern lifestyles. They emphasize the importance of touching and embracing challenging emotions, allowing for intimacy with experiences to facilitate healing and growth.
My new book, BRAVE NEW YOU, is now available for preorder! For a limited time, you can get instant access to 12 of my exclusive guided meditations when you order now.
Cory Muscara is a former monk, podcast host, and bestselling author. In this episode, we discuss what led him to become a monk, what life and training were like at the monastery, and how he has applied what he learned to help teach others.