August 2023 TDM

The Back-To-School Issue

Aug 07, 2023

Image credit: Kute Blackson, transformational teacher, national best-selling author, entrepreneur & daily meditator

Welcome to the 52nd 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 ]

New Research: Mindfulness Practices Will NOT Make You Happier

Image credit: bymuratdeniz | Getty Images

Ready for a mood-boosting dose of meditation? Scientists have a "small" problem with that. According to newscientist.com, University of British Columbia's Elizabeth Dunn has led a study revealing that those commonly recommended mood-boosters—mindfulness, nature walks, and an attitude of gratitude—may not be standing on the firm ground of science.

Upon scrutinizing 532 studies, Dunn's team found that an alarming 95% of them fell short. Their instability stemmed from deficiencies in both their methodological design and the insufficient number of participants. These studies, all conducted prior to mid-November 2022, simply failed to meet the rigorous standards that modern scientific research demands.

That's not to say that these practices are without merit. As Dunn reminds us, if they make you happier, stick with them. Yet, the verdict from science is still out. There's a need for more thorough and detailed research to confirm whether these happiness methods work for everyone.

Bottom line: There's still much work ahead for scientists. It's all about gathering more solid evidence before making a definitive call.

[ MEDITATION & PARENTING ]

5 Reasons To Get Your Kids Meditating

Meditation is all the rage these days, and it's not just for grown-ups. Turns out, kids can benefit from it as much as adults. According to newsbytesapp.com, here are five reasons why you should start teaching meditation to your children when they are young.

Develop self-awareness - No more emotional rollercoasters! Your tiny kids will be able to observe their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without any judgments.
Boosts focus and attention - Meditation is like a focus superhero training their brains to stay in the present moment.
Reduces stress and anxiety - Meditation can help them find peace in the craziest situations like academic expectations, social interactions, and various other challenges that they may face early on.
Nurtures the ability to manage emotions - Kids can be all over the place, but meditation helps them manage those feelings like pros—no more emotional meltdowns.
Fosters understanding and empathy - let's make our kiddos into compassionate and empathetic little beings. Meditation connects them with their inner selves, making them kinder and more respectful to others.

Bottom line: Introducing meditation in children lays the foundation for emotionally intelligent, focused, and compassionate young minds ready to take on life's challenges with ease.

Light is gearing up for his next Vedic Meditation Teaching Tour. He will be hosting trainings in Los Angeles, Austin, New York, and London starting in August. Spaces are limited so don’t wait! Book your spot now.

[ MEDITATION & TECHNOLOGY ]

Artificial Intelligence Is Making 'No Time For Meditation' A Thing Of The Past

Hold onto your mala beads, because the world of tech has found a new playground: Meditation. According to geekwire.com, a techie from Amazon and Microsoft has unveiled Fit Hub, an app backed by $2.5 million in seed funding. This new venture uses GPT, a type of artificial intelligence (AI), to whip up personalized workout and meditation routines. The app is so smart, they say, it adjusts your meditation and fitness plans according to factors like your injuries, your mood, and your schedule. So basically, it's like having a personal trainer and meditation guru tucked right in your pocket.

Meanwhile, another AI star called ChatGPT is making waves by offering tips on how to start meditating, asking about your intentions for the session, and even suggesting breathing exercises to round off with. Now, what's ChatGPT, you ask? Think of it as a super-smart digital buddy who's been taught how to have a chat like a human. It's been trained to understand and reply to our language. If you’re interested in how to use ChatGPT to develop a meditation practice, read the full article here.

Bottom line: If your mantra has been "I just don't have time for meditation," it looks like AI has officially made that excuse obsolete.

[ MEDITATION & POP-CULTURE ]

How Creed Actor, Michael B. Jordan, Maintains His Cool in Tinseltown

Michael B. Jordan Talks 'Redefining' His Fitness Journey Outside of Work (Exclusive) — Image credit: Anthony Harvey | Shutterstock

You guessed it —turns out, he's into meditation. In his recent profile with yogajournal.com, Jordan shared, "Meditation has been big...it allows for that reset so you don't stress yourself out." The Creed star credits his parents for his lifelong exposure to meditation, emphasizing that even a 3-minute breather can work wonders.

And he's not keeping this secret to himself. Jordan is joining forces with Propel, the electrolyte water brand, to promote health and balance. Their project supports organizations offering wellness programs, like California's WalkGood L.A. and Detroit's Trap Studio. His mission? To ensure the brands he partners with are doing some good for the community.

Bottom line: Ready to meditate? It's got the Killmonger seal of approval!

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 & TECHNIQUE ]

Weird Meditation Styles, Anyone?

Meditation styles are mushrooming faster than you can say 'Om.' Two unconventional forms of meditation are gaining traction for their unusual approaches to mindfulness: Chocolate Meditation and Death Meditation. The former, as the name implies, involves the conscious, slow, and mindful eating of chocolate, where the individual focuses on the sensory experience of its taste, texture, and aroma, according to yourstory.com. An age-old practice believed to have started with the Mayans and Aztecs, it's said to reduce stress, anxiety, and enhance focus.

On the other hand, Death Meditation, according to LAtimes.com, invites you to contemplate your own mortality. Participants visualize their own passing, the events surrounding it, and life beyond. By facing the fear of mortality head-on, practitioners report a newfound sense of gratitude for life and self-compassion.

Bottom line: Whether it's chewing your way to serenity or taking a grim detour to gratitude, it seems there's now a 'flavor' of mindfulness for every taste and temperament.

[ REALITY CHECK ]

Get the Insurance

By Light Watkins

I was once standing behind two gentlemen at a car rental counter as the rental associate was giving them the hard sell on the insurance, letting them know that they would have to accept full responsibility for any damages, and citing horror stories of other customers who declined the insurance, etc.

The one guy, seeing his buddy folding under the pressure, nudged his friend and said, "Hey man... I don't plan on getting into no accident."

I chuckled to myself, because the way he said it was just funny. But also, because who ever plans on getting into an accident? Aren't all accidents 100% unplanned?

And the same goes for getting emotionally triggered.

We never plan on getting triggered, or being reactive, or snapping at someone. But when we're offered unsolicited criticism, or when a child ignores our warning, when we don't feel heard, or when someone speaks to us in a condescending tone, it's easy to start seeing red.

The "insurance" that can keep us from doing or saying something we can't take back after we get triggered is our daily dose of stillness. Literally, sitting in stillness every day for 15-20 minutes minimum can counterbalance the idiocy we all have to deal with in the world.

This is not new information--but as you know, it's so easy to decline the insurance because, like our friend at the car rental counter, we don't plan on anything "bad" happening.

Nobody likes being sold the insurance. But everybody is happy they got it if and when they need it. So today, make sure you sit for your inner insurance because you just never know how the day is going to unfold.

[ READ. WATCH. LISTEN. ]

Read: Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength

Falling Down and Getting Up by Mark Nepo delivers practical wisdom for turning adversity into a catalyst for growth. In this profound guide, Mark Nepo draws on his extensive experience as a spiritual teacher to show how we can find renewal and transformation in life's setbacks. Readers will learn to embrace their resilience, celebrate change, and truly understand what it means to thrive, making this a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate life's hurdles with grace and fortitude. This book is now available for pre-order, with an official launch date set for September 5, 2023.

Watch: Light Watkins Talks All Things Travel Light on YouTube

Watch as TDM Founder, Light Watkins, talks all things Travel Light through a curated YouTube playlist. It’s a collection of his most engaging podcast interviews discussing his latest book and the transformative experiences that shaped it. Light provides listeners with enriching perspectives on the 7 principles of Spiritual Minimalism and how it can help you live a more fulfilled life. Watch now

Listen: Light Watkins Talks All Things Travel Light on Spotify

But if you're always on the move and cannot watch videos on YouTube, there's good news - these conversations are also available 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 has enabled me to find a sense of peace and a deeper connection in my own being.

What have you gotten from meditation? I found a sense of peace and been connected to a deeper sense of roundedness in my own being.

Strangest meditation moment? There has not been a strange meditation moment, because I go into meditation without expectations.

Most unexpected benefit of meditation? As I meditate I seem to be more “lucky”, finding myself and meeting more synchronicity in life when it comes to people, situations, and experiences whilst being in the right moment.

[To see the latest from Kute, go to kuteblackson.com]

Two of Our Favorite Instagram Accounts with a Purpose

IN-Q (left) is an award-winning poet and songwriter from Los Angeles. IN-Q is renowned for his ability to bring poetry into pop culture, making it accessible and impactful to a broad audience. His posts reflect the same essence, intertwining profound thoughts with relatable life lessons. With his Instagram account, you get a front-row seat to his creative process and the compelling narratives that have landed him on Oprah's SuperSoul 100 list. Known for his collaborations with top music artists and his impactful spoken-word performances. Whether you're a lover of words, a creative spirit, or someone seeking a dash of motivation, you’ll be sure to be inspired by his work. Follow him @inqlife

Jessica Zweig (right), founder and CEO of SimplyBe. Agency, personal branding expert, and a devoted advocate for authenticity is an inspirational force on Instagram. By candidly sharing her own journey of overcoming struggles with self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and debt, she's become a beacon for those striving to align with their true selves. Her Instagram feed serves as a digital masterclass in personal growth and branding, reflecting the transformative journey she undertook to become her best self. Jessica's dedication to empowering others through her story makes her a must-follow for anyone seeking to liberate their potential and make a mark in their world. Follow her @jessicazweig

Each day, life puts you in the perfect situation to do a little better than you did yesterday.

— The Spiritual Minimalist

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