The OneMind Meditation Podcast with Morgan Dix: Meditation | Mindfulness | Health

One does not practice meditation to become a great meditator. We meditate to wake up and live, to become skilled at the art of living. -Elizabeth Lesser Do you struggle with stress and anxiety? At times do you feel like you’re life is a little like a hamster wheel that you can’t get off? Many of us living in the West struggle with a profound sense of tunnel vision. Our sense of possibility and potential is often eclipsed by the incredible stress and pressure of modern life. A daily meditation practice, on the other hand, can actually reverse the downward emotional, mental, and physical spiral of stress. Measuring The Effects of Stress According to the American Institute of Stress, stress causes 60% of all human illness and disease and 3 out of 4 doctor-related visits are stress-related. Loss of sleep, overeating, increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes these are just a few of the related consequences. The medical costs related to stress are astronomical, which is why many companies are starting to sponsor in-house meditation programs. And what about the effects of stress on our brains? You may have heard of the hippocampus it’s the the part of your brain associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection. It's also associated your emotions and memories. It turns out that the hippocampus is covered in receptors for the stress hormone cortisol, and studies have shown that it can be damaged by chronic stress, contributing to a harmful spiral in the body. In fact, people who suffer from depression, PTSD, and other stress-related disorders actually tend to have a smaller hippocampus. Yikes. But all is not lost. Here’s a scientific angle on how meditation can help. According to a 2011 study at Harvard, the hippocampus actually showed significant increases in grey matter density among people who participated in an 8-week mindfulness program. Some researchers have even suggested that meditation can reverse the damaging effects of stress on the brain. But let’s step back from the dire statistics and brain research for a moment. What about a simpler take on it? Rediscovering the Art of Living Where and how do we re-discover the art of living? How do we jump off that accelerating hamster wheel and re-establish some sanity, perspective, and wellbeing in our lives? If you’re reading this, you probably know the answer already: meditation. I’m a huge advocate for the benefits of meditation. But don’t take my word for it. The science and research detailing the health benefits alone stretch back to the early ’70s with the publication of Herbert Benson’s landmark book, The Relaxation Response. And more importantly, this practice has thrived for three thousand years. Why? Because meditation can open you up to a vision of life and being that’s transformative. That’s why I put a premium on helping people create a daily meditation habit and eventually turn their meditation practice into a keystone habit. Meditation For Life In this episode of the OneMind Podcast, we boil down our recent 3-day Meditation For Life seminar into a potent 3-part lesson on the benefits of meditation. How can it help you break free from stress and anxiety? What are the common pitfalls of meditation and where do most people get stuck? And most importantly, how can meditation connect you with a positive vision of life that transcends the corrosive and limiting tunnel vision that colors so much of modern existence? In this episode, we explore: How meditation helps you overcome stress and anxiety Why meditation is such an effective antidote to the pressures of modern life A simple technique to release stress and anxiety right now How meditation triggers your relaxation response Why and how so many of us are trapped in a self-limiting tunnel vision of life A short case study about Transcendental meditation Some of the key issues that keep people from meditating The three biggest obstacles most people encounter when they start meditating   Show Notes If you enjoyed this episode of the OneMind Podcast, you’ll enjoy our free How To Meditate Mini Course. Sign up here. Pick up a beautiful free eBook of meditation quotes when you sign up to receive our Daily Meditation Quotes (Photos credits via Flickr CC: Hernán Piñera, Florian Simeth) The post OM 016: Meditation For Life How To Break Free From Stress & Tunnel Vision appeared first on About Meditation.

What you seek is seeking you. ~Rumi What does it take to keep going when, as the saying goes, the going gets tough? Really tough. We all start on the path of meditation with high hopes, serious aspirations, or maybe just guarded optimism. We come to the practice suffering from stress, anxiety, and some form of overwhelm. Maybe you’re haunted, like I was, by the feeling that there is more to life than you can see, touch, taste, hear, feel, or cognize with your rational mind. The answer to this feeling seems close but always just out of reach an essence or key that you’re somehow missing. And yet you know that connecting with that essence will help you make sense of life and all this chaos we're swimming in all the time. Or maybe you come like a refugee, seeking some sort of relief and rest from the relentless press of 21st century life. Maybe you just sense an unrealized opportunity to tap into your potential. The Lonely Meditator’s Guide We all approach meditation based on variations of these themes. And sometimes you’re meditating, but you just don't know if you should carry on. You're not seeing results. You're not having breakthroughs. Meditation is hard. You're not sure if you're doing it right or if you're really cut out for it. So this episode of the OneMind podcast is for you. For the lone meditator who just doesn't know if she should carry on and whether it's really worth it. From one fellow meditator to another, this is a call from the heart to press on and don’t look back. It’s time for you to burn the boats. If you enjoyed this podcast, you can sign up for our free How To Meditate mini course here. (Photo Credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Challot & Facebook Buddha Heart) The post OM 015: The Lonely Meditator’s Guide To Developing True Grit appeared first on About Meditation.

  By penetrating very deeply the present moment, the past and future fall away, and you become free. Fear is the demon that prevents us from letting go of the past and the future, that in turn, keeps us from spontaneously plunging into the present. ~ Joe Gifford Do you fear death? Does the promise and mystery of life have to fade with our youth? We’ve all inherited so many of ideas about what old age looks like. Those ideas color our view of life. But are you ready to have your assumptions overturned? In this episode of the OneMind Podcast, we interview the ever-inspiring Joseph Gifford. He’s 95 years old and he radiates more vitality than most people half his age. Joe is a former professional dancer. Today, he teaches symphony orchestra conductors and actors how to tap into their essence as they perform. According to Joe’s website: Joseph Gifford is a respected and honored teacher who has worked with conductors, singers, and instrumentalists for over thirty years. He brings to his students the possibility of going beyond personal boundaries, to grow into new pathways that lead to the deeper and wider dimensions of the timeless world of music. As one of his students said, “Working with Joe Gifford can be a life-changing as well as music-changing experience. His workshops offer a supportive, challenging and expansive environment, which encourages an exploration of the very essence of music itself.” A Creative Passion for Life and Meditation In 1973, Joe started down the path of meditation when he encountered the work of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who founded Transcendental Meditation. He’s been meditating ever since. In the process, Joe became a teacher of The Radiance Technique/Authentic Reiki and his meditation practice has evolved with different teachers and influences. Joe Gifford with his African Grey Parrot It’s uplifting and poignant to hear Joe’s passion for meditation and the mystery of life. From Joe’s perspective, the same inspired intelligence that radiates through Rembrandt’s paintings and Beethoven’s symphonies runs through our veins too. He works to help his students access that native intelligence. I invited Joe on to the show because I wanted you to benefit from listening to someone who has lived and loved as long as he has. And I think you’ll appreciate what a enormous role meditation has played in shaping his creative passion for life. In this episode of the OneMind Podcast, Joe Gifford and I explore: The evolution of Joe’s meditation practice over the last 42 years Why he no longer fears death The influences on his spiritual development in Transcendental Meditation, Reiki, and Evolutionary Enlightenment. How meditation helps you to let go of stress and open your heart How meditation helps you to see other people clearly How meditation infuses his work coaching young actors and professional orchestra conductors and why he encourages them to meditate Why it’s so important to  not know in the midst of your creative work The universal energy that connects great artists like Beethoven and Rembrandt to you and me How the emptiness you discover in meditation becomes fullness of being Joe's secrets to a long and happy life Show Notes Joe’s website Watch The Legacy of Joseph Gifford on Vimeo YouTube Trailer for The Legacy of Joseph Gifford The Legacy of Joseph Gifford on Facebook Jill Uchiyama – filmmaker Do you want to learn meditation? Try our free How To Meditate mini course here. (Photo credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Kyle Pearce) The post OM 014: 95-Year Old Yogi Shares His Secrets & Why He Doesn’t Fear Death with Joseph Gifford appeared first on About Meditation.

Do you suffer from chronic pain? Did you know it’s possible to reduce your pain through meditation and mindfulness? Are you aware that meditation can help reduce the stress related to chronic pain? Now more than ever, clinical psychologists are using contemplative modalities like meditation and mindfulness to help their clients manage pain. Whether you suffer from physical, psychological, or emotional pain, meditation can help with stress, trauma, and illness. In this episode of The OneMind Podcast, we talk with NYC-based clinical health and neuropsychologist, writer, speaker, and professor, Dr. Jennifer Wolkin. How To Manage Pain Through Mindfulness Dr. Jennifer Wolkin Dr. Wolkin first discovered the power of meditation as a way to manage her own chronic pain during her post-doctoral studies at Harvard Medical School. Based on the emerging research and her own positive experiences, she eventually integrated mindfulness-based healing modalities into her work with over 95% of her clients. Dr. Wolkin is also keenly interested in the relationship between mindfulness and the human brain. Increasingly, researchers are discovering and documenting the positive effects of meditation on our brains. The results are compelling and promising. Dr. Wolkin recently founded an online community called BrainCurves, an initiative designed to inspire accurate and accessible mind-body-brain wellness ideas for women. I asked Dr. Wolkin to join us because of her unique and integrated approach to psychology and her passionate advocacy for mind-body-brain wellness. In this episode of The OneMind Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Wolkin and I discuss: How to minimize pain through meditation How not to judge yourself for having pain How to minimize the stress related to chronic pain The effects of chronic and acute pain The effects of meditation on our brains Why Jennifer teaches meditation and mindfulness techniques to 95% of her clients How Jennifer uses mindfulness to help her clients shift unhealthy patterns of thought The definition of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and why mindfulness is such a good complement How to treat troubling thoughts like a testable hypothesis How mindfulness helped Jennifer to identify and let go of pain associated with her grandmother's experience as a holocaust survivor Show Notes Contact Dr. Jennifer Wolkin BrainCurves If you liked this interview, you’ll also enjoy episode 11 with Dr. Richard Miller You can learn meditation in 5 easy lesson with our free How To Meditate mini course here. The post OM 013: Brain Science & How To Manage Pain Through Mindfulness with Dr. Jennifer Wolkin appeared first on About Meditation.

To deal with things, knowledge of things is needed. To deal with people, you need insight and sympathy. To deal with yourself, you need nothing. Be what you are conscious being and don’t stray away from yourself. ~Sri Nisargadatta What is letting go? And what exactly are we letting go of during meditation? And how deep does it go? Is there any end to how much we can let go? And also, how healthy is it to let go? What are the benefits? Are there any dangers? These are the questions we explore in this episode of The OneMind Podcast. I've wanted to do a show about ‘the art of letting go’ for a while. Here's why letting go is really the heart of meditation practice. It's the essence of what you do when you sit down to meditate. No matter what kind of meditation practice you do, 95% of it is going to be about this one simple choice to let go over and over again. Letting go is an incredibly important part of being human. We all carry so much baggage around. Learning how to let go on occasion helps us revitalize and rejuvenate our mind, our emotions, our body, and our spirit. If at times you feel like you're mind is like a washing machine on steroids spinning in your head, then letting go will help you deal with that. In truth, a lot of us have that choppy washing machine experience before we learn how to periodically let go and unplug from our thoughts. We're often tortured, distracted, stressed, or confused by the frenzy of activity in our minds, but we don't need to be. Learning how to let go in meditation is a key part of gaining perspective on that experience and finding a new way to relate to it all. This episode on the art of letting go is broken into 5 parts: Chapter 1. What governs the movement of our minds? Chapter 2. Take out the trash Chapter 3. How Do you Let go? Chapter 4. Your Mind Is Not The Enemy Chapter 5. There are different levels of letting go Show Notes Learn how to let go and sign up for our free How To Meditate Mini Course (Photo Credit via Flickr Creative Commons:James Wheeler) The post OM 012: How To Practice The Art Of Letting Go appeared first on About Meditation.

It was November 1970 when Richard Miller quietly stepped outside of the first yoga class he’d ever attended and looked up into the clear California night sky. Something was different. What was it? He was relaxed, at peace, and he felt connected to everything throughout the entire universe. He had just experienced a taste of something that would become his life-long passion to understand and realize. It was the experience of unity consciousness that can come through meditation. Today, Dr. Richard Miller is a clinical psychologist who has developed a revolutionary approach to meditation called iRest. Healing Wounded Warriors with iRest Meditation Based primarily on the ancient yogic practice know as yoga nidra, iRest is a fusion of eastern and western contemplative practices and influences. And thanks to the work of Dr. Miller, it is used today in VA and military hospitals and settings across the US to help veterans heal through their symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Dr. Miller’s own words: iRest is a research-based transformative practice of deep relaxation and meditative inquiry that: releases negative emotions and thought patterns, calms the nervous system, and develops a deep capacity to meet any and all circumstances you may encounter in life. iRest is currently being utilized in VA hospitals, military bases, hospitals and clinics, hospice, homeless shelters, community programs, and schools. In the first part of this interview, Dr. Richard Miller shares his personal story about meditation. In the second part, we explore his 10-step iRest protocol that helps veterans, and anyone suffering from mild to acute trauma, heal from their psychological wounds and thrive. Dr. Miller has consulted on over 20 scientific studies to assess the veracity of his approach with positive results. Treating PTSD through iRest is so successful that the military has embraced and implemented it in over 35 settings across the US as a CAM treatment for both PTSD and chronic pain. I invited Dr. Miller to The OneMind Podcast because of his passion for helping people heal and thrive through meditation. You'll also pick up some powerful tools and tips for taking your own meditation practice to the next level. In this episode of The OneMind Podcast, Dr. Miller and I explore: The 5 questions Richard asks himself every time he sits down to meditate The relationship between pain and the thinking process How to make friends with your emotions and thoughts The 10-step iRest protocol The definition of yoga nidra Why and how meditation is so effective at treating veterans and other trauma survivors Some of the surprising discoveries Richard made while working with veterans and the military The best time of day to meditate, and why Show Notes iRest Contact Dr. Richard Miller Jean Klein Learn meditation in 5 easy lessons with our How To Meditate mini course. Sign up here. (Photo via Flickr Creative Commons: MilitaryHealth) The post OM 011: Healing Wounded Warriors Through iRest Meditation with Dr. Richard Miller appeared first on About Meditation.

  How would you like to do nothing for the whole year? That's the very first question that high school teacher and long-time meditator Lawrence Carroll asked his students on opening day. That's a good way to sell meditation in the math class, but little did his students know, just how transformative doing nothing would be. Lawrence Carroll is an old friend of mine and mentor. He taught in public high schools in Australia and the US for seventeen years and won awards and distinction for his unique teaching style. At the heart of his approach is a seldom used principle silence. How Silence Transforms The Classroom While teaching his students meditation, he saw extraordinary changes in the classroom. Ironically, spending the first few moments of every class withdrawing into silence enabled students to be mutually supportive and more engaged. He saw students restricted by limiting ideas about their ability to do math burst through inner barriers and start believing in themselves. And people noticed. Students, teachers, and administrators all took note and Lawrence was nominated for the county-wide distinguished educator award. He was also invited to present a paper called The Phenomenology of Silence: Educing Learning and Creativity in the Classroom on his teaching methodology to the esteemed Oxford University round table. I wanted to invite Lawrence Carroll on to the show so you could hear about his incredible results in the classroom teaching meditation to students. But more than that, Lawrence is passionate about fixing the education system and he has some powerful ideas that are making a difference. I think you're going to resonate with what he has to say. If you are a parent, a teacher, a mentor, or your have children in your life, I have no doubt you'll be inspired by Lawrence and his work and you're also sure to pick up come tools and tips for working with young people. In this episode of The OneMind Podcast, Lawrence Carroll and I discuss: Why it was so important to start each class with a period of sustained silence The specific relaxation and meditation techniques he taught children in the classroom How he taught to students with ADD/ADHD and how he turned them into advocates of silence How he fostered mutual respect in the classroom Why meditation practice had to come before math class Why he put authentic connection with his students before teaching them math and how that improved their performance The mystical nature of mathematics How he used meditation to side-step student allergies to learning mathematics The incredible power of wait time in the classroom Why the socratic method of non-propositional teaching is so conducive to teaching meditation in the classroom Lawrence’s theory of compounding which he applies to the results and benefits of a sustained meditation practice Show Notes Awaken Teen Leadership 7 Steps to Introducing Meditation to Children in the Classroom Oxford Round Table Paper: The Phenomenology of Silence: Educing Learning and Creativity in the Classroom Contact Laurie: laurie.teacher.coach@gmail.com The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson How Children Fail by John Holt Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson The Surprising Purpose of Anger by Marshall Rosenberg The post OM 010: How Silence Transforms The Classroom And Unlocks Young Minds with Laurie Carroll appeared first on About Meditation.

Why do you want to meditate? People meditate for different reasons. Some meditate to relieve anxiety and stress. Others meditate to connect with the nourishing and restorative silence within. But it's rare to find someone who meditates for others. But that's why my friend Erin Aquin meditates. As a clinical acupuncturist and long-time yoga teacher, she embraces meditation because it makes her a better teacher and practitioner of Chinese medicine. As Erin describes it, practicing meditation helps her serve her students and clients more effectively. In this episode of The OneMind podcast, we explore the intersection of yoga, meditation, and traditional Chinese medicine with yoga teacher and clinical acupuncturist Erin Aquin. Erin Aquin Although Erin taught yoga far longer than she practiced acupuncture, it was the philosophy and practice of Chinese medicine that compelled her down the path of meditation. For Erin, meditation is not so much about self-improvement or stress relief. Instead she sharpens her perception and serves her clients and students more effectively when she meditates every day. One thing that stood out in my interview with Erin is something you probably won't hear from most disciplined meditators. She doesn't really like to meditate. But the intrinsic benefits of this ancient practice override her resistance and keep her coming back for more. And more than that, she sees the practice of meditation as fundamental to her work as a teacher and practitioner of Chinese medicine. That inspired me, and I think it will inspire you too. In this interview Erin Aquin and I explore: Why meditation is essential to her clinical acupuncture practice The relationship between tradition Chinese medicine and meditation Why she believes every yoga teacher should practice meditation How meditation helps you suspend your judgment of other people How meditation makes her a better yoga teacher Why she meditates consistently even though she doesn't really like it The value of meditating with other people Why experiencing deep silence for long periods of time is important Show Notes Aquin Yoga The A to Z of Being A Yoga Teacher by Erin Aquin Yin Yang Yoga Teacher Training Course with Erin Aquin OM 008: How To Turn Meditation Into A Keystone Habit The FREE How To Meditation mini course (Photo via Flickr Creative Commons: Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho; me&her photography) The post OM 009: The One and Only Reason I Still Meditate with Erin Aquin appeared first on About Meditation.

Did you know there is actually a science to making meditation a lasting habit? A lot of people struggle to be consistent with meditation. And that's understandable, because meditation can be challenging. But we can actually make it easier on ourselves. One way to do that is to learn the science of habit formation. It's not as hard as you may think. You just need to learn how to hack into your habit loops. That's something that just about anyone can do. The Habit Loop Over the last 6 months or so, I've been able to harness something called the habit loop to help me lose 15 pounds and develop a whole array of new healthy habits that have changed my life. In this episode of The OneMind Podcast, I break it all down for you and let you know how I did it, because there's a real science to it. And meditation has played a key role in all of it by serving as a keystone habit. I explain more about keystone habits and a powerful concept called habit stacking in the show. I also show you how to use the same step-by-step process I used to build new habits and ultimately change your life. If you are someone who finds change difficult and if you've struggled to get your meditation practice off the ground, then this episode will give you valuable tools to make lasting change. In this episode of the OneMind Podcast, I cover: The science of habit formation How to harness your habit loops to make meditation a habit Why so many people fail to make meditation a habit The definition of habit stacking and keystone habits and how to use them My own successful experiments in habit formation A simple step-by-step process for how to make meditation a lasting habit Different resources you can use to make meditation a habit Show Notes The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod The One Thing by Gary Keller The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg [Video]How to Break Habits: Charles Duhigg Habit Study from University College London OM 006: Build Confidence and Healthy Habits Through Mindfulness with Author Barrie Davenport Read: 5 Simple Steps To Create A Meditation Habit That Sticks Read: The Surprising Statistics Behind Creating A New Meditation Habit Read: The One Thing You Must Do To Make Meditation A Habit Learn meditation in 5 easy lessons with our FREE How To Meditate Mini Course. (Photo credits via Flickr Creative Commons: mhiguera, Terry Chay) The post OM 008: How To Turn Meditation Into A Keystone Habit appeared first on About Meditation.

Imagine you are in a war zone. You're squeezed, shoulder-to-shoulder, into an armored troupe carrier day after day in the arid Israeli desert with 15 other people. Mortar shells are exploding nearby. You’re sweaty and dust is everywhere. Now let me ask you a question. Would you choose to meditate at a time like this? I didn't think so. But my friend Igal Harmelin-Moria made the opposite decision. Igal was a war correspondent in Israel when he learned Transcendental Meditation (TM) in 1973 at the ripe old age of 19. He started teaching just two years later and for the next 25 years traveled the world as an emissary for the great Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the famed Beatles guru and founder of TM. Igal has meditated nearly every day for over 40 years, and his passion for meditation practice hasn't waned at all. In fact, he's only more engaged and committed to this ancient art as time goes on. Igal has taught meditation in several traditions including TM, Evolutionary Enlightenment, Advaita Vedanta, and currently in the context of Judaism. He’s spent time teaching meditation in far flung places like the Philippines, India, Ukraine, Zaire, the United States, Europe, and Isreal. In this seventh episode of the OneMind Podcast, Igal shares his incredible story and some formative lessons he's learned from meditation. I invited Igal onto the show because his gratitude and love for the practice is contagious. I also wanted you to hear first hand from someone who has meditated for his entire adult life. And more than that, I wanted you to experience Igal's humor and humanity, which is so deeply shaped by his practice of meditation. In this episode, Igal and I discuss:  Why he started meditating  How meditation showed him that he was an automaton and how it helped him break free from unconscious thinking and behavior  The meaning of the word ‘transcendental’  How to practice a mantra-based meditation  How to practice a free or open-awareness-based meditation Why it’s so value to be still  Why your attitude towards meditation is always more important than any technique you choose  What it's like to meditate in the middle of a war zone  Why it's important to meditate with other people  Igal's advice for new and practicing meditators Show Notes igodblog.com The David Lynch Foundation Transcendental Meditation Vipassana Meditation Learn meditation in 5 easy lessons with our FREE How To Meditate Mini Course. Photo Credits via Flickr Creative Commons: lalo Fuentes The post OM 007: A Life-Long Passion For Meditation with Igal Harmelin-Moria appeared first on About Meditation.