Mindfulness expert and bestselling author Light Watkins discusses the benefits of minimalism and intentional living. He emphasizes the importance of following our hearts, cultivating stillness and meditation, and making friends with our thoughts. Watkins explores the connection between meditation and stress reduction, the power of intuition gained through daily practice, and aligning choices with personal values. He also highlights the significance of daily habits and finding purpose in daily choices.
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Quick takeaways
Follow your heart and curiosity to live a more fulfilled life.
Clear away internal clutter for true fulfillment and happiness.
Practice stillness, like meditation, to reduce stress and find happiness.
Shift your attitude towards meditation challenges for a more effective practice.
Adopt a minimalist approach to exercise for improved physical and mental well-being.
Deep dives
Following Your Heart and Curiosity
The podcast discusses the importance of following one's heart and curiosity in order to live a more fulfilled life. The speaker emphasizes the need to be clear about one's values and to explore the things that make them curious. By doing so, individuals can take small leaps of faith towards their purpose and find a path that leads them away from their comfort zone and into their growth zone.
Minimalism and Internal Clutter
The podcast explores the concept of minimalism, focusing on the idea of clearing away internal clutter rather than just external possessions. The speaker suggests that true fulfillment and happiness do not come from material possessions, but from cultivating inner happiness first. By reducing mental baggage and honoring one's values, individuals can find a clearer path to fulfillment and happiness that comes from within.
The Importance of Stillness Practice
The podcast emphasizes the importance of a daily practice of stillness, such as meditation, as a means to reduce stress and cultivate happiness. The speaker explains that consistent exposure to stillness practice creates spaciousness internally, leading to a reduction in stress and an increase in adaptability and fulfillment. Developing trust in one's internal guidance and being honest with oneself about personal addictions are also key elements in the practice of stillness.
Overcoming Challenges in Meditation
The podcast acknowledges common challenges in meditation, such as a busy or restless mind. The speaker suggests shifting one's attitude towards these challenges, accepting them as part of the normal practice rather than obstacles. The goal is to develop a nonchalant or celebratory attitude towards the thinking mind, allowing it to settle naturally over time. Starting with shorter meditation periods and adopting a comfortable sitting position can also enhance the meditation experience.
Minimalist Approach to Exercise
The speaker shares his minimalist approach to exercise, which he developed during the pandemic. He created a seven-day plan where he focused on one body part each day and only did 20 reps of that exercise. He found that this minimalist workout left him wanting more and he started introducing exercise bands for resistance. He created an online challenge for others to join and focused on quality of movement, making it a moving meditation. The speaker found that this minimalistic approach helped him trim down and get in the best shape of his life.
Value of Rest and Intentional Social Media Use
The speaker discusses the importance of rest and intentional use of social media. He shares his experience of going off social media during the summer, which allows him to tune into himself and hear his own thoughts without the influence of external content. He realizes that spending less time on social media makes him a better person, father, and husband. He also mentions the value of intentionally choosing who to follow on social media and removing unnecessary noise. By being intentional about social media use, he experiences more calm and presence in his life.
Belief in Purpose and No Throwaway Moments
The speaker explores the belief in a higher purpose and the idea that there are no throwaway moments in life. He encourages individuals to adopt the belief system that empowers them the most, whether that is believing everything happens randomly or believing that everything happens for a reason. The speaker emphasizes that adopting a belief in purpose can lead to feeling more empowered and making choices aligned with one's values. He also discusses the value of reflecting on past experiences and seeing how each moment has shaped one's life trajectory.
Importance of Making Heart-based Decisions
Making decisions based on the heart, rather than the head or ego, leads to greater fulfillment and authenticity. By cultivating inner happiness and listening to the heart's voice, one can make choices that align with their values and bring about genuine satisfaction. This requires being honest with oneself and rejecting outcomes-centered thinking. It is essential to prioritize the process and the impact on others rather than personal gain.
The Power of Honesty and Commitment
Being honest with oneself and committing to personal growth and values are powerful drivers of positive change. Establishing daily routines, such as writing daily inspiration emails or practicing daily meditation, builds self-discipline and consistency. These commitments create a sense of purpose and generate positive outcomes. By approaching commitments with a mindset of fulfillment rather than obligation, they become natural and enjoyable. The impact of these commitments can resonate in various aspects of life, leading to increased creativity, self-esteem, and better relationships.
Could you live out of a single backpack? Not for a few weeks or months, but as a lifestyle choice? Well, five years ago, today’s guest gave up his luxury apartment, its contents, his cars and all his possessions – apart from those that fit into his trusty backpack.
Light Watkins has been practising daily meditation for 20 years and teaching it for 15. He’s a mindfulness expert and the bestselling author of four books. His latest book, Travel Light: Spiritual Minimalism to Live a More Fulfilled Lifemightsound like a guide to decluttering – and in some ways it is. But Light is not necessarily talking about us getting rid of our possessions, he’s trying to help us clear away our inner clutter - the mental baggage that weighs us down, so that we can better see the path to fulfilment and happiness.
Light believes that we should be following our hearts more, and our heads less. This involves knowing our values, tuning in to our curiosity and then taking small leaps of faith towards our purpose. He explains why a daily practice of stillness and contemplation is so important and shares practical advice that will help you make friends with your thoughts and turn your mind into your ally. He also explains how meditation works to dissolve stress and feed our intuition.
It really is a fantastic conversation that takes us to some really deep and meaningful places - we discuss whether time can ever really be wasted. Light talks us through his own minimalist fitness regime – and you’ll find out why he thinks meditation is like a Rubik’s Cube, as well as why he sometimes takes his showers fully clothed!
Above all, Light’s minimalist philosophy is about breaking free from the ‘achievements bring happiness’ approach to life and discovering that happiness really does come from within. I hope you enjoy listening.
DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.
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