Ginny Gay, a mindfulness teacher, explores ways to work with and free the inner critic through mindfulness. They discuss the benefits of practicing mindfulness for living with more joy and less suffering. They differentiate the inner critic from our inner conscience and identify different ways to practice mindfulness in daily life. They also discuss the important connection between mindfulness and meditation, and define spirituality in a personal and meaningful way.
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Quick takeaways
Mindfulness allows us to turn towards difficult feelings and sensations, leading to growth and a reduction in suffering.
Naming and working with our inner critic empowers us to choose how we show up in the world with compassion and self-awareness.
Embracing discomfort and suffering through mindfulness builds resilience and cultivates peace, purpose, and joy in our lives.
Deep dives
The Power of Mindfulness and Being Present
Mindfulness is not just an intellectual exercise, but an embodied presence in the present moment, allowing us to open fully to our experiences without judgment. By turning towards difficult feelings and sensations, we can learn to be with them and discover that they are not as overwhelming as we once thought. Mindfulness offers practical tools for navigating life skillfully, reducing suffering, and fostering growth. It encourages curiosity and a direct exploration of our own experiences, rather than relying on beliefs or external authorities. While rooted in Buddhism, mindfulness can be practiced independently of religious affiliation, making it accessible to anyone seeking to alleviate suffering and live more fully.
Naming and Working with Inner Critic
One key aspect of growth and transformation is the ability to name and work with our inner critic. By acknowledging the presence of our inner critic and exploring its origins, we can begin to disentangle ourselves from its oppressive and self-limiting narratives. Mindfulness enables us to recognize our inner critic's messages and question their validity, allowing us to act with more compassion and self-awareness. This process empowers us to choose how we show up in the world and cultivates a deeper connection to ourselves and others.
The Journey of Healing and Growth
The path to healing and growth often involves embracing difficulty and suffering as opportunities for personal development. By turning towards uncomfortable emotions and sensations, we can build our capacity to tolerate discomfort and develop resilience. Mindfulness provides a framework for exploring our own wisdom, discernment, and connection to something deeper within ourselves. It encourages a shift from running away or avoiding pain to fully embracing our experiences, integrating both the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of life. Through mindfulness, we can navigate the challenges of being human and cultivate more peace, purpose, and joy in our daily lives.
The Power of Connectivity and Finding Purpose
In a connected world supported by AT&T, finding your purpose is easier than ever. The path to purpose is non-linear, and connectivity allows for exploration and growth. Changing career paths late in life is possible.
Overcoming the Inner Critic
The inner critic is a destructive force that causes self-created suffering. It attacks our identity and keeps us small. Differentiating it from our inner guide or conscience is crucial. Recognizing our inherent worthiness and practicing non-identification with the inner critic can free us from its corrosive influence.
In this episode, Eric and Ginny explore ways to work with and free the inner critic through mindfulness. Ginny shares her story of struggle and growth on her path to becoming a mindfulness teacher and explains the many benefits of practicing mindfulness as a way to quiet the inner critic, which leads to living with more joy and less suffering.
In this episode, you’ll be able to:
Accept the crucial need to turn toward difficult feelings rather than turn away from them
Understand that where the wound is, the healing can begin
Differentiate the inner critic from our inner conscience
Recognize the various ways the inner critic can show up
Identify different ways to practice mindfulness in your life
Understand the important connection between mindfulness and meditation
Define spirituality in your own way that is meaningful to you