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Your monthly guide to the fun, quirky, interesting, and noteworthy news happening in and around the world of meditation, curated by Light Watkins and co.

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April 2023 TDM

The Purpose Issue

Light Watkins

Apr 10, 2023

Image credit: Kyle Cease, author, speaker, comedian & daily meditator

Welcome to the 48th issue of The Daily Meditator. This is your monthly resource for fun, quirky, interesting, and noteworthy happenings in and around the worldwide meditation community, curated by meditation teacher, Light Watkins and co. Our mission is simple: to help broaden the horizon of what a daily meditator looks like while providing you with relevant information and timely inspiration for staying committed to your daily practice.

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[ MEDITATION & NEWS ]

Aaron Rodgers' Latest Quest for Positive Energy

Looks like Aaron Rodgers is looking for a new way to “pack” some positive energy into his life. According to ClutchPoints, Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, was spotted leaving a crystal shop in Los Angeles recently. Despite trade negotiations with the Jets being at a standstill, Rodgers seemed unbothered as he left the shop holding a small bag.

The quarterback is known for his love of meditation and alternative medicine, including his use of ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic tea. He has previously spoken about his affinity for crystals and even wore a crystal-and-fossil amulet during a recent photoshoot.

Rodgers also revealed that he finds meditative solace in doing the dishes, and he has been known to go into a "meditative space" while listening to instrumental music with his eyes closed. In addition to his visit to the crystal shop, Rodgers was seen grabbing a drink at a coffee shop in Thousand Oaks with actor Jonathan Tucker. With negotiations ongoing, Rodgers is spending time in California while the Packers and Jets work out a deal.

Bottom line: It seems like Rodgers is trying to manifest a crystal clear future, both on and off the field.

[ MEDITATION & RESEARCH ]

Study Reveals Better Ways to Boost Creativity

Breaking news: Drugs are not the key to creativity. According to a recent study by the University of Essex and Humboldt University of Berlin, complex training programs, meditation, and exposure to culture are better ways to spark creativity. This is bad news for fans of rock and roll lifestyles who thought that alcohol and narcotics were the secret ingredients to creativity.

It turns out that these substances have the least effective means to inspire imagination. The study examined hundreds of papers to uncover the best ways to boost creativity and found that training courses that unpack the creative process and mindfulness activities like meditation have the best long-term impacts.

Additionally, visiting different countries and experiencing their cultures unconsciously expands horizons. The researchers hope that the study will help schools and employers better understand creative thinking and that it will encourage people to find their muse through healthy and positive means.

Bottom line: Say goodbye to the rock-and-roll lifestyle myth, and say hello to mindfulness and meditation.

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Positive & enlightening. I really enjoyed this call. I found myself looking forward to Tuesdays when I know a new module would come out.
— Jill H

[ MEDITATION & TECHNOLOGY ]

Level Up Your Mindfulness Through Video Games

Are you tired of traditional meditation methods? Why not try meditating through video games? This Mashable article details the history of meditation games, starting with the simplicity of Pong and Tetris in the 70s and 80s, respectively. These early games were praised for putting players in a meditative flow state.

The article then goes on to discuss games in the 21st century that made mindfulness a goal, including Journey to Wild Divine, a game that included a biofeedback device to measure stress levels via heart rate variability and the level of perspiration on the skin.

The article also mentions Flow and Flower, which allow players to float around in virtual environments, and the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which features non-player characters meditating. The critically acclaimed Journey is also discussed, as is Grand Theft Auto V, which, in its record-breakingly popular fifth outing, features yoga as part of the narrative.

Bottom line: Who knew that video games could be so zen?

Overwhelmed by Meditation Apps? Here's How to Find the Right One for You

Choosing a meditation app can be overwhelming, with so many options promising inner peace and tranquility. But Mashable has recently published a guide on how to choose the right meditation app for you. The article suggests that although many apps offer multiple features, it's essential to decide what you want from the app to avoid becoming distracted by high-profile names, flashy features, and digital bells and whistles.

The article gives specific examples of apps that suit different needs, such as Ten Percent Happier, Balance, and Healthy Minds Program for beginners who want to learn basic meditation techniques, and Simple Habit and Calm for guided meditations for kids and lots of sleep content, respectively.

Lastly, the article suggests taking stock of your strengths and challenges before choosing an app, including considering what style of meditation you want to practice.

Bottom line: Finding the right meditation app is like finding inner peace, except with more swiping and less chanting.

The Happiness Insiders® is a diverse community of folks who are actively engaged in cultivating real, lasting happiness through daily inner work, created and facilitated by long-time meditation teacher and inspiration author, Light Watkins. The Happiness Insiders® is the world’s first secular online community for learning a variety of practical, real-world spiritual practices that are intended to help you create the lasting happiness you ultimately desire. Click here for more info

[ MEDITATION & LIFESTYLE ]

Mindfulness Hacks: Get the Benefits of Meditation, Minus the Meditation

If you're like most people, you probably feel guilty about not meditating. But don't worry, there are ways to get the benefits of meditation without actually meditating, according to Psychologytoday.com.

You can start by devaluing your inner monologue - it's unimportant and unnecessary anyway. Instead, focus on the things in front of you. Listen to people actively, and silence your DMN (default mode network) to activate your CEN (central executive network). Also, choose flow activities, like knitting or tennis, which deactivate the DMN and build sustained attention in the CEN. And if you're doing something mundane, like taking a shower or eating a sandwich, focus on the sensation of the warm water or the taste of the turkey.

Bottom line: You don't need to meditate to get the benefits of meditation. So stop feeling guilty, and start focusing on the present moment.

[ MEDITATION & POP-CULTURE ]

Mantras on TikTok: Are You Doing it Right?

Are you chanting mantras correctly, or are you just another TikTok trend follower?TikTok is experiencing a surge in the popularity of mantras, according to this article by Mashable. However, the trend has led to some using them incorrectly. With over 1.6 billion views, the #mantra hashtag on the platform has seen an influx of creators sharing mantras that they say can help "manifest" good health, luck, and money, often chanting aloud without explaining that traditional mantra practice typically involves repeating a simple word, syllable, or phrase silently in your head.

However, research suggests that genuine mantra meditation improves well-being, increases calm, and reduces anxiety. Sanskrit mantras come from ancient yogis, who received the sound or syllable from a divine source during deep meditation. Dr. Deepak Chopra describes a mantra as a tool to "cancel out" our thoughts and leave us with pure consciousness or total silence, therefore, the proper pronunciation of mantras is crucial, making it essential to learn mantra meditation from a trained or experienced instructor rather than social media.

Bottom line: And if your TikTok mantra doesn’t work for you in meditation, you can always get one from an actual meditation teacher.

[ REALITY CHECK ]

Are You Celebrating Each Day?

By Light Watkins

10,950. That’s around how many more days I supposedly have left, according to the World Health Organization’s estimation of the average human lifespan (80 years for males, 83 years for females).

If accurate, that’s only 365 remaining months—so around 30 more Christmas holidays, birthdays, and summers.

Of course, there’s no way of knowing for sure how long any of us have left, and lifestyle plays a big factor. But the passage of time is only seen as scary or depressing if we haven’t been living up to our "soul" potential—our true reason for being here—which more than likely involves giving back or being of service in some meaningful way that is unique to each of us.

The invitation is not to make friends with Father Time but to use this mathematical formula as inspiration for doing what we’re here to do sooner rather than later.

I have nearly 11,000 more days to be of service, to make a difference, and to perform random acts of kindness. When we look at it that way, each passing day, month, and year can and should feel like a wonderful celebration.

[ READ. WATCH. LISTEN. ]

Read: Go Be Brave: 24 ¾ Adventures for a Fearless, Wiser, and Truly Magnificent Life

Go Be Brave by Leon Logothetis is a must-read for anyone looking to live a more fearless and fulfilling life. In this book, Leon shares his experiences from traveling around the world and meeting some of the kindest people. He discovered that true bravery goes beyond running into burning buildings; it means being kind, making connections, and tapping into the deep fearlessness that defines us as human beings. With 24 new adventures and a simple journal to guide you, Leon will help you strengthen your being-human muscle and remind you how brave you truly are. Read more

Watch: The Light Watkins Show on YouTube

Did you know Light has his podcast on YouTube? The Light Watkins Show features in-depth conversations with a diverse array of guests, from entrepreneurs and activists to authors and artists. You'll get to watch and hear firsthand about the challenges they've faced and the triumphs they've achieved as they strive to make a positive impact on the world around them. If you have been a listener of the podcast and want to put a personality to a name, you can watch the interviews on YouTube.

Listen: Do You F***ing Mind?

The Do You F***ing Mind? podcast offers relatable and accessible insights on personal development, self-improvement, and spirituality. Host Alexis Fernandez is a meditation teacher, and she incorporates her knowledge and experience in the practice to offer practical tips to her listeners. Through solo episodes and interviews with experts, she provides listeners with tools and strategies to develop self-awareness, improve mental health, and live a more fulfilling life. If you're looking for a fresh perspective and a dose of inspiration, tune in to the "Do You F***ing Mind? podcast" on Spotify!

Have you listened to Light’s podcast, The Light Watkins Show? If inspiration was a drop of water, The Light Watkins Show would be like an ocean. Each candid interview is sure to leave you uplifted, inspired, and motivated to follow your heart, take a leap of faith, and believe in yourself. Listen or watch now.

[ REPORT FROM THE FIELD ]

Meditation helps me connect with my true self and undo the illusion of unworthiness.

What have you gotten from meditation? I have gotten an infinite amount of ideas from meditating - I actually made a video series about 100 benefits and ways that meditation creates abundance in your life. You connect to yourself on a higher frequency. You undo the illusion of unworthiness, and you see that you are nothing but abundance. You stop entering passing problems. I discovered that there is no separate self and that the emotional pain in the body is fictional. You’re totally free. Meditation is the access point to true freedom, much more than your relationship status or what country you live in. You can meditate anywhere and it really moves you to the truest place of yourself.

Strangest Meditation moment? An infinite amount of them! Ha! Every second of meditation has some type of revelation. I remember one time when I was doing 100 days of meditation, watching a documentary on the Eagles (band), and then crying for an hour out of nowhere - it was just my body releasing everything I had transcended in meditation before that.

An unexpected benefit from meditation? Miracles. Miracles are being normalized. Being able to move to space in the world where I understand synchronicities are a by-product of meditation. Many, many benefits. One was a major external success as a major benefit from the success on the inside. Everything is a paradox. You care less and less about what people think about you, and then more and more people happen to think amazing things. You care less and less about money, and more and more money opportunities arise.

[To see the latest from Kyle, go to klyecease.com]

Two of Our Favorite Instagram Accounts with a Purpose

Cory Muscara (left) Cory Muscara is a renowned mindfulness teacher, coach, and speaker who has dedicated his life to helping people improve their well-being through mindfulness practices. His expertise lies in traditional meditation practices as well as modern approaches to mindfulness. He has worked with corporations, non-profit organizations, and individuals seeking personal growth. His dynamic teaching style and compassionate approach have been recognized in major publications such as Forbes, The Huffington Post, and Mindful magazine. He is a sought-after speaker at conferences and events around the world. Cory's teachings are practical, engaging, and applicable to anyone, regardless of their level of experience with mindfulness. He helps people cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them, leading to greater inner peace, clarity, and purpose. Whether you're just starting or an experienced practitioner, Cory Muscara is a powerful guide on the path to a more fulfilling life. Follow him @corymuscara

Devi Brown (right) is a wellness expert and author who has devoted her life to helping people cultivate inner peace, joy, and purpose. As the founder of Karma Bliss, a lifestyle brand that combines ancient wisdom with modern science, she is on a mission to make wellness accessible to all. Devi has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and Marie Claire for her groundbreaking work in the field of wellness. Devi is also an accomplished author, having published Crystal Bliss, a guide to the transformative power of crystals. Devi is a powerful force in the world of wellness, offering practical tools and insights that can help anyone transform their life. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, her teachings can help you cultivate greater inner peace, joy, and purpose. Follow her @devibrown

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

— Mahatma Gandhi

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