The Science of Happiness

Happiness Break: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of Your Voice

Apr 3, 2025

Criss Cuervo, a mindfulness teacher and author, dives into the beauty of our unique voices and accents. He leads a self-compassion meditation that helps listeners celebrate their histories and cultural backgrounds. By reflecting on the stories carried in our voices, Criss promotes self-acceptance and resilience. Affirmations like 'my accent makes me unique' encourage deeper connections to ancestry and identity, wrapping up the session with a heartfelt moment of gratitude.

08:07

Creator website

Episode guests

Criss Cuervo

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast promotes embracing the uniqueness of one's accent as a vital connection to personal history and cultural identity.

Self-compassion meditation is highlighted as an effective tool for reducing shame and enhancing acceptance of our voices and accents.

Deep dives

Celebrating Our Unique Voices

The podcast emphasizes the significance of our voices and accents, viewing them as embodiments of our history and cultural identity. It discusses how these features can evoke feelings of self-consciousness or shame for some individuals. Through self-compassion meditation, listeners are encouraged to embrace their unique way of speaking as a positive aspect of their identity. This practice aids in recognizing the stories and heritage each accent carries, fostering deeper connections to one’s ancestry and personal journey.

Embracing the Uniqueness of Your Voice

3min

Embracing the Uniqueness of Your Voice

5min

Embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation that guides you in a reflection of your history, heritage, and connection to your ancestors.

How To Do This Practice:

Find a Comfortable Position: Sit in a relaxed yet alert posture, either on a cushion or chair. Gently lower your gaze or close your eyes if that feels comfortable.
Focus on Your Breath: Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale. Allow yourself to transition from your daily activities into this moment of reflection.
Acknowledge Your Accent: Bring awareness to the way you speak, recognizing that your voice carries your history, culture, and personal journey.
Repeat Self-Compassion Phrases: Silently or aloud, repeat affirmations such as, “my accent makes me unique,” “my accent carries my story,” “my accent connects me to my ancestors.”
Place a Hand on Your Heart: If it feels right, gently place a hand on your heart, offering yourself warmth and kindness as you continue to breathe deeply.
Close with Gratitude: Take a final deep breath, sending appreciation to yourself, your ancestors, and the uniqueness of your voice before gently opening your eyes.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.

Today’s Happiness Break host:

CRISS CUERVO is a mindfulness and meditation teacher, Bridging Differences Coordinator at the Greater Good Science Center, and author of PERTENÆCER: Eight-Week Mindfulness and Meditation Training and Practices for Latinx Immigrants in the United.

Learn more about Criss Cuervo here: https://tinyurl.com/4npjwn6m

Read her book here: https://tinyurl.com/3byby84b

Related Happiness Break episodes:

A Meditation on Original Love: https://tinyurl.com/5u298cv4

Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5

Where Did You Come From: https://tinyurl.com/2y9uyjj6

Related Science of Happiness episodes:

How to Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc

How to Tune Out The Noise: https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh

How to Feel Better About Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/42fn62a2

We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap