Effortless Mindfulness with Loch Kelly

Henry Shukman, a poet and meditation teacher, joins Loch Kelly for a fascinating dialogue on awakening and love. They reflect on their personal awakening journeys and explore the power of inquiry and Zen koans. Shukman highlights how acknowledging ordinary experiences and pain can lead to deeper insights, while both discuss the transformative concept of 'Original Love.' Their conversation blends ancient wisdom with modern psychology, encouraging listeners to find awakening in everyday life and embrace the complexities of emotions with compassion.

Discover a revolutionary approach to focus that reduces stress and enhances clarity. Learn about three types of effortless flow: absorbed flow, panoramic flow, and awake loving flow, each designed to combat issues like burnout and overthinking. Shift from mental chatter to calm awareness with practical techniques that transform your daily experience. Experience a guided practice that cultivates spacious mindfulness, helping you integrate flow into your everyday life and making it a new norm.

Discover the transformative concept of non-dual presence, where bliss and emptiness unite for personal awakening. Engage in experiential practices that deepen your awareness and connection to your essential nature. Learn about the Fourth Level of Mind, known as Unity Mind, and how to embody this profound state. Explore the differences between non-dual presence and other states like Subtle Energy and Pure Awareness. Finally, take part in a guided meditation that helps you tap into your inherent awake consciousness.

In this episode, Loch explores the progressive stages of mindfulness. This contrasts with common definitions of mindfulness which only feature the first stages of concentration and witnessing. In addition, Loch introduces a nuanced map of consciousness which includes important distinctions and levels. In this model,  which is based on the Indo-Tibetan approach, mindfulness begins similarly with calm abiding—focusing attention on one object as the main type of awareness. Here the goal is to settle the mind, nervous system, and body. In this method we use a narrow beam of attention, like a flashlight trained on a single object. To illustrate, Loch talks about the neuroscience research that shows how this represses the default mode of mind-wandering and creates a calm state by using the task mode for a simple task. This creates a temporary calm during meditation but is not an essential calm that we can live from.As we progress on the path of mindfulness, we gain the first insight into the changing contents of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and mind objects. In the process we shift into the mindful witness, where the flashlight of awareness shifts from narrow to wide beam or street light. And then the second insight dawns on us that neither our mind nor our self sense is solid.In the next step, we make the pivotal shift to turn awareness around to see what is aware once we are no longer operating from the self-centered and thought-based sense of “me.” Thus we enter into the advanced stages of mindfulness found in Indo-Tibetan and Zen traditions. This insight represents a new foundation of mind and identity as we become mindful of Mind or aware of Awareness. Then, once we discover that this wordless awareness is knowing, the next insight is that there is no separation between empty awareness and the contents or forms that arise. This nondual mindfulness—often called Same Taste—is mindful of the interdependence of life. The next stage of mindfulness Loch talks about is Effortless Mindfulness, also known as bodhicitta or non-meditation in the mahamudra tradition. Loch proposes that this represents a potential next level of human development. A mindfulness from awake loving flow that brings together wisdom, safety, connection, clarity and unconditional love.You can now explore all of Loch Kelly's practices and teachings on the new Mindful Glimpses app, found at https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses. This innovative meditation and wellness app offers daily micro-meditations, step-by-step programs, and simple-yet-advanced tools for awakening.Loch Kelly Bio Loch is the creator of the Mindful Glimpses app, and an award-winning author, psychotherapist, and non-dual meditation teacher. He is also known for his unique practical methods that support awakening as the next natural stage of human development. Backed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness, which combines an ancient form of nondual meditation and IFS psychology that allows immediate access to our embodied awake nature which arises as our calm, clear, and compassionate healing capacity. Connect with Loch: Mobile App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpsesWebsite: https://lochkelly.org/Donate: https://lochkelly.org/donatePodcast: https://lochkelly.org/podcast

Discover how Effortless Mindfulness blends with Internal Family Systems to unveil our true selves. Learn about powerful IFS exercises that boost self-awareness and foster self-leadership. Explore the significance of recognizing and integrating our diverse sub-personalities for personal healing. Loch discusses how wisdom and love can guide our decisions, transforming the ego from an adversary to a collaborator. Delve into the profound connections between mindfulness and psychological well-being.

Discover the transformative journey from conventional mindfulness to effortless mindfulness. Explore what it feels like to experience your already Awake Mind, free from fear and worry. Learn to shift your awareness from thought-based knowing to a more spacious and direct recognition of awareness itself. Engage in three powerful inquiries that guide you through everyday mind to a profound state of pure awareness. Experience how embracing both positive and negative aspects of life enhances your understanding of conscious existence.

Delve into the three key obstacles that hinder awakening. Discover the significance of having a clear map for personal growth. Learn about the confusion surrounding ego identity and how to engage with it constructively. Explore the pitfalls of spiritual bypassing, where fleeting moments of bliss are mistaken for the complete journey. Loch emphasizes the importance of embodying awareness and connecting heartfully to truly embrace our deeper selves.

Dan Siegel, a leading figure in interpersonal neurobiology, joins Loch Kelly to explore the mind's intricate relationship with the brain and body. Siegel describes the mind as an emergent process that transcends neural activity, highlighting its role in mental health. They discuss advanced meditation techniques, including the 'wheel of awareness' for achieving emotional clarity. Loch offers 'Glimpsing Awareness,' guiding listeners to tap into their innate consciousness. Together, they emphasize love, compassion, and the interconnected nature of existence.

Discover the Five Levels of Mind, exploring Everyday Mind and Subtle Mind as foundational states. Journey deeper to Awake Aware Mind, where thought takes a backseat to pure awareness. Experience the Heartmind, a state of connection and flow. Dive into the Tibetan Tonglin practice for compassionate exchanges and energy transformation. Learn to shift from busy thoughts to open-hearted awareness, fostering interconnectedness. Gain insights and tools for navigating your consciousness with greater compassion and clarity.

Loch Kelly welcomes Mirabai Starr to discuss how grief can lead to a connection with the sacred. They explore mystics' teachings, integrating personal and collective experiences. Mirabai's book 'Wild Mercy' emphasizes wisdom from women mystics. The podcast touches on the transformative power of grief, mystic poetry in mental health crisis, and nurturing longing in spiritual journey.