Your Meditation Questions, Answered!

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Talking creativity and sanity with one of the world’s biggest pop stars.   British-Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa emerged as a global pop sensation with her captivating blend of sultry vocals, empowering lyrics, and infectious beats. Born in London in 1995 to Albanian parents, Lipa's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by her father's own musical career. She hosts the podcast Dua Lipa: At Her Service, and her latest album is Radical Optimism.      In this episode we talk about: What she means by radical optimism – and how it applied when she literally fell on stage How she resists the temptation to fully armor herself Her famous work ethic and packed schedule   Her non-negotiable daily practices, including meditation Her social media hygiene (specially, how to stay sane when nearly 80 million people follow you on Instagram alone) And we have a great conversation about creativity, including how she builds psychological safety with her team in studio and on tour Why she had to write 97 songs to make this one album And her concept of “writing herself into a good idea” – as she says, “You have to be shit to be good.”      Related Episodes: Bill Hader on Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome, and Leaning into Discomfort Pema Chödrön, Renowned Buddhist Nun, On Her One Non-Negotiable Happiness Strategy The Science of Hope | Jacqueline Mattis Hope Is a Skill | George Mumford Discomfort: A Counterintuitive Source of Hope | Sebene Selassie     Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes   Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/dua-lipa     Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

3 Maj 202458min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- A research-backed plan for getting your sh*t together in every possible sphere. We’re going to talk about some smart strategies today with Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. She is a psychologist and research scientist, with an expertise in the science of happiness, emotional intelligence, and social connection. She is the Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and she also teaches executives at the Yale School of Management. She’s been on this show before, to discuss her best-selling book The Happiness Track. And today she’s back to discuss her new book, Sovereign: Reclaim Your Freedom, Energy, and Power in a Time of Distraction, Uncertainty, and Chaos.  In this episode we talk about: What she means by that term, sovereign The neuroscience of emotion regulation The science of intuition – and how to work with it when you’re a critical thinker How our past can unconsciously bind us  The impact of trauma The latest evidence for the benefits of meditation And how to cultivate what scientists call Positive Relational Energy Related Episodes: Three Lessons from a Happiness Researcher | Emma Seppälä The Scientific Case for Self-Compassion | Chris Germer Can You Really Trust Your Gut? | Amber Tamblyn Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/emma-seppala-764 Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

1 Maj 20241h 3min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- The creator of somatic experiencing shows Dan how to heal trauma through the body.   Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., has spent the past 50 years developing Somatic Experiencing. He holds a doctorate in Biophysics from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Psychology from International University. His work has been taught to over 30,000 therapists in over 42 countries. He is the author of the new book, An Autobiography of Trauma. Content warning: This episode includes discussions of rape and violence. In this episode we talk about: How to do somatic experiencing. You’ll see Dan play the role of guinea pig + make weird sounds The difference between somatic experiencing and talk therapy Somatic experiencing practices we can implement into our lives Why some people feel horror/terror at the thought of re-occupying the body and how to overcome those fears What the research says – and how these practices around body awareness have gone from the fringes to entering the scientific mainstream And how to move through ancient wounds – and enrich our lives (whether we have trauma or not) Practices to fortify us in times of difficulty Facing mortality  Related Episodes: Become An Active Operator Of Your Nervous System | Deb Dana What Science and Buddhism Say About How to Regulate Your Own Nervous System | Deb Dana & Kaira Jewel Lingo How to Live with the Worst Things That Ever Happened to You | Stephanie Foo An Ace Therapist Gives Dan A Run For His Money | Dr. Jacob Ham How to Get Out of Your Head | Willa Blythe Baker Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/peter-levine Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

29 Apr 20241h 7min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Buddhist strategies for taming that nagging voice in your head. Ofosu Jones-Quartey, a meditation teacher, author, and musician hailing from the Washington DC area brings over 17 years of experience in sharing mindfulness, meditation and self-compassion practices with the world. Holding a bachelor’s degree from American University and certified by the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Ofosu is a graduate of the Teleos Coaching Institute and is the male voice on the Balance meditation app, reaching over 10 million subscribers.  Ofosu leads meditation classes and retreats nationwide, having taught and led retreats at the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, The Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, Brooklyn Zen Center, Cleveland Insight, Inward Bound Mindfulness and more. As an accomplished hip hop artist under the name “Born I,” Ofosu released the mindfulness-themed album “In This Moment” in 2021. His most recent album is “AMIDA”, a spiritual, Lo-Fi Hip Hop album exploring life, death and his Buddhist faith. Beyond music, Ofosu is an author, releasing his self-published children’s book “You Are Enough” in 2020 and “Love Your Amazing Self” via Storey Publishing in 2022. He lives in Rockville, Maryland, with his wife and four children. In this episode we talk about: The relationship between self-compassion and a successful meditation practice All the reasons people resist self-compassion, and his rebuttals Whether self-compassion is selfish How to do self-compassion off the cushion, including practices like journaling, written reminders, establishing accountability partners, and simple questions you can drop into your mind when all else fails How to do self-compassion on the cushion, including practices like body scans, metta, and a check-in practice you can use at the very start of your sits And how to teach self-compassion to children Related Episodes: The Voice in Your Head | Ethan Kross Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ofosu-jones-quartey Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

24 Apr 20241h 4min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- How self compassion works, how to practice it, and what the research says about the benefits. GUEST BIO: Dr. Serena Chen is Professor of Psychology and the Marian E. and Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Distinguished Chair for Innovative Teaching and Research at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the self and identity, interpersonal relationships, and social power and influence. She is a Fellow of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, American Psychological Association, and Association of Psychological Science. Dr. Chen was also the recipient of the Early Career Award from the International Society for Self and Identity, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from the Social Sciences Division of the University of California, Berkeley. In this episode we talk about: The connection between self-compassion and authenticity As well as self-compassion exercises that you can incorporate into your daily life How self-compassion influences the desire for self improvement How it can lead you to be more understanding of other people  The connection between self-compassion and good leadership  And how self-compassion can apply to parenting as well as to educational realms  Related Episodes: How to Make Self-Compassion Work for You | Kristin Neff Kryptonite for the Inner Critic, Self-Compassion Series | Kristin Neff Self-Compassion Ain’t Always Soft | Kristin Neff Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/serena-chen Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

22 Apr 20241h 11min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Debating the cliche: Does everything happen for a reason? Plus, the Meditation Party crew tackles equanimity, work/life balance, and meditation vs napping. Sebene Selassie describes herself as a “writer, teacher, and immigrant-weirdo.” She teaches meditation on the ten percent happier app and is the author of a great book called You Belong. She’s based in Brooklyn.  Jeff Warren is also a writer and a meditation teacher. He and Dan co-wrote the book, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics. He also hosts the Consciousness Explorers podcast. He’s based in Toronto.  If you want to be part of the show, please call in with a question or comment. The number is 508-656-0540. Or you can email us with a voice memo at podcast@tenpercent.com with a voice memo.  Tickets for the two more Meditation Party retreats this year at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York are available now. The last one was a blast. Come join us for both. One is in May, the other October.  Related Episodes: How to Stay Calm No Matter What’s Happening | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren Meditation Party: The “Sh*t Is Fertilizer” Edition | Sebene Selassie & Jeff Warren Meditation Party with Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren: Psychedelics, ADHD, Waking Up From Distraction, and Singing Without Being Self-Conscious Meditation Party: Magic, Mystery, Intuition, Tattoos, and Non-Efforting | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren Science-Based Tools for When You're Stressed, Obsessed, or Overthinking | Dr. Jenny Taitz Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/med-party-howtohandle Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

17 Apr 20241h 1min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Digging into the nuts and bolts of Stoicism with one of its best-known modern proponents. Ryan Holiday is a prolific author, whose books include The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Discipline is Destiny. His newest book, Right Thing, Right Now, comes out in June, and is available for pre-order now. Ryan is also the host of the Daily Stoic Podcast. In this episode we talk about: The history and theory of Stoicism, and some of its big names (including a former Vice Presidential candidate) Premeditatio Melorem, or thinking ahead to the worst possible outcome in order to avoid it Memento Mori, or being aware of the inevitability of one’s own death Amor Fati, or “loving one’s fate” as a path to acceptance of reality Journaling as a key Stoic practice, of talking to oneself on the page The four Stoic values: Courage, Temperance, Justice, Wisdom How Stoicism and Buddhism overlap – and how they don’t Related Episodes: The Dharma of Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Jasmine Wang & Iain S. Thomas Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ryan-holiday Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

15 Apr 20241h 11min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Death isn’t the most appetizing topic, but contemplating mortality can be a massive source of motivation, perspective, and even stress relief. In this episode, life lessons from a death doula, who helps people at the end. Description:  There seems to be one clear bug in the human operating system — most of us do not like talking about death. Yet when we do talk about it, it can genuinely upgrade the quality of our lives. Our guest today is Alua Arthur, a former attorney who is now what’s called a death doula, which is someone who helps guide people through the end of their lives. Through this work, she has learned some extraordinary stuff about how to live life right now.  Alua is also the founder of Going with Grace, a death doula training and end-of-life planning organization. Her debut memoir, Briefly Perfectly Human: Making An Authentic Life By Getting Real About the End, will be released on April 16, 2024. This conversation took place at the 2023 TED Conference in Vancouver, immediately after Alua delivered her triumphant talk, which is out now.  Special thanks to the TED Audio Collective. You can listen to Alua's talk and other TED talks on the TED Talks Daily podcast.  In this episode we talk about: How death can be a powerful motivator  How consistently being aware that you’re going to die can be a “stress reliever”  The utility of imagining your ideal death Her view on reincarnation  How the concept of “healing” can sometimes be used as a weapon against ourselves  The importance of not leaving things unsaid  How “hope” at the end of life can sometimes be unhelpful What surprises her about death  How her work helped her out of her depression The five steps that you should take when confronting your own death  The harm that can sometimes result from too much medical intervention toward the end of life The often fraught relationship that vulnerable and marginalized people can have with the medical community  The benefits of thinking about what version of yourself you want to meet on your deathbed The death meditation that she uses when working with people  What to say and do when you are with somebody who is grieving  And a practice she calls, “The dying things exercise”  Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/Alua-Arthur-archive Where to find Alua Arthur online:  Website: goingwithgrace.com Social Media: Twitter  Facebook  Instagram YouTube Book Mentioned: Briefly Perfectly Human: Making An Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End Other Resources Mentioned: Link to Alua’s TED talk Link to Dan’s TED talk Gail Ruben Glennon Doyle Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna Roshi Joan Halifax Larry Rosenberg Additional Resources: Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

10 Apr 202451min