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An Episode For The Over-Thinkers and The Stressed | Matthew Brensilver, Vinny Ferraro, Kaira Jewel Lingo

Nov 13, 2024

01:07:45

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In a thought-provoking discussion, DJ Cashmere, the executive producer behind the scenes, teams up with Matthew Brensilver, a Buddhist teacher experienced in addiction pharmacotherapy, and Vinny Ferraro, who teaches at various meditation centers and prisons. They explore the art of letting go, emphasizing its role in reducing stress and fostering acceptance. Soft Belly Meditation is introduced as a practical technique to embrace emotions. Listeners are inspired to navigate life's challenges through surrender, self-compassion, and mindfulness.

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Quick takeaways

Letting go in Buddhism is an active engagement with emotions, crucial for reducing stress and overcoming the pitfalls of overthinking.

Surrendering is portrayed as a powerful act of acceptance that fosters self-compassion and recognizes discomfort as part of the human experience.

Practicing self-compassion and techniques like soft belly meditation promotes resilience and helps individuals manage emotional resistance effectively.

Deep dives

Understanding Letting Go

Letting go is a crucial yet often misunderstood concept in Buddhism, representing a key to reducing stress and achieving equanimity. It involves accepting reality without resisting it, which is beneficial in situations where individuals feel overwhelmed or anxious. This practice contrasts passive resignation; instead, it requires active engagement with one’s emotions and experiences. By consciously training oneself to let go, individuals can cultivate a healthier mindset and avoid the pitfalls of overthinking and negativity.

Embracing Gratitude and the Art of Letting Go

01:36

Navigating Stress: The Wisdom of Letting Go

03:41

Intro

4min

Embracing Gratitude and the Art of Letting Go

2min

Embracing Letting Go

19min

Navigating Stress: The Wisdom of Letting Go

4min

Embracing Emotions Through Soft Belly Meditation

19min

The Art of Letting Go

10min

The Art of Surrender: Embracing Growth and Connection

15min

Connecting Listeners to Valuable Resources and Insights

5min

A crucial (and often misunderstood) concept in Buddhism: letting go.

For this episode, Executive Producer DJ Cashmere interviewed a trio of brilliant Dharma teachers to get their advice about how to handle surrendering or letting go. This is the fourth in a series of 'correspondent' episodes, in which DJ identifies a pain point in his life and meditation practice, then goes out into the world to report on the best ways to address it.

Kaira Jewel Lingo is a former nun in the Plum Village tradition started by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Vinny Ferraro teaches at the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock, and also in prisons. Matthew Brensilver teaches at many of the same retreat centers, and spent many years working in the field of addiction pharmacotherapy.

*Find the Soft Belly Meditation here

*Check out Sebene Selassie’s website and newsletter, Ancestor to Elements. Plus, her ‘Let It Be’ guided meditation on DanHarris.com

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Want to study and practice with today's guests? Please check out these Spirit Rock offerings:

Matthew Brensilver, Buddhist Psychology Training (Begins in January)

Vinny Ferraro: A Year to Live; Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully (Begins in January)

Kaira Jewel Lingo: Healing Our Way Home (Oct. 20); Insight Meditation Retreat (April 9-16; opens Dec. 11)

All 10% Happier listeners receive a discount code for our December Insight Retreat (Dec. 8-18) with the code TENPERCENT

Vinny and Kaira Jewel will also teach at the Insight Meditation Society:

Kaira Jewel Lingo, Strength to Love: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King: Jr. (Jan 17 - Jan 20), and Return to Wholeness: Opening to Wisdom & Love (online) (Mar 23 - Mar 29)

Vinny Ferraro, Peace in Presence: A Four-Night Retreat for All (Jan 31 - Feb 4)

Related Episodes:

Also, the teachers’ sites:

https://vinnyferraro.org/

Vinny Ferraro's Course, A Year To Live

https://www.kairajewel.com/

https://www.matthewbrensilver.org/

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