July 2021 TDM
Welcome to the July 2021 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 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.
Not interested in receiving these anymore? Unsubscribe
[ MEDITATION & NEWS ]
Florida Requires One-minute of Meditation in Schools
Florida is combing the hell out of church, state, and now ashram! Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill that now requires public schools to set aside at least one minute of silence for children to meditate or pray. In other words, it’s against the law not to meditate (or pray) for at least one minute at school… and we kinda like it.
Bottom line: By 2031, maybe the kids’ll get full 10 minutes so they can do a proper meditation?
[ MEDITATION & RESEARCH ]
Meditation and Psychosis? Is There a Connection?
Scientists are wondering what the deal is with these rare reports of psychosis and meditation? Some meditators have reported instances of psychosis after starting a meditation practice. No one knows why, or if it’s just a coincidence, but dozens of cases have been documented over the years of people not sleeping at night, or having feelings of traveling through different timelines after starting to meditate. This has prompted researchers to attempt to understand a more diverse range of meditation experiences rather than just the average. And it’s a reminder to seek the guidance of an expert!
Bottom line: Meditation makes the brain more sensitive to the environment and stimuli, so it’s important to work with a trusted and experienced teacher to help navigate these new super powers.
Join Light Watkins in Mexico: Oct 2nd to 9th for an all-inclusive meditation retreat.
Apparently, Even in Meditation, Length Matters
According to research, how long you meditate can make a difference in whether you get the benefits. Scientists say that the magic number for getting the biggest bang for your buck is 13 minutes! Now, there’s a caveat to this: scientists usually only look at physical measurements when studying meditation. But there’s also chakra, karmic, and esoteric stuff that science doesn’t yet know how to measure. So don’t take this as gospel just because “science” says it. Remember, science also said it was healthy to smoke a cigarettes 50 years ago. What we’ll say is that your meditation needs to be at least 13 minutes. And that you need to do it daily.
Bottom line: While length certainly matters, what's much more important is consistency of practice.
[ MEDITATION & LIFESTYLE ]
Have You Tried to SNOELL Your Anger?
Anger can be a corrosive emotion, or it can be a tool for transformation. According to Rod Owens, a lama in the Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism, we should examine anger, instead of suppressing it like many societal narratives teach us to. His strategy for examining anger is called the SNOELL method:
See it.
Name it.
Own it and take responsibility.
Experience it. Be curious rather than reactive.
Let it go.
Let it float into the space that holds everything.
Bottom line: As Rumi suggested, the cure for the pain is often found in the pain.
[ MEDITATION & TECHNOLOGY ]
Now You Can Meditate Underwater—Virtually
If your usual FPS game is getting old, we recommend trying out Oceanarium. For you gamers out there, oceanarium is a calming underwater exploration video game. Floating down into Mother Ocean’s deepest depths, you’ll discover and transport life energy pearls, receive mysterious messages, astral project, and meditate with consciousness warriors.
The game’s visuals look like a mix between cartoon aliens and exploding fractals, with a soundscape that resembles biaural beats. Chat with fish, complete tasks for them, and help awaken Mother Ocean. The game is currently available by donation via itch.io.
Bottom Line: A fun, donation-based, meditation video game. Check, check, check, and check.
[ MEDITATION & TECHNIQUE ]
Whoops, Getting Too Relaxed During Meditation?
Breaking: it’s okay to fall asleep during meditation! Maybe you are just tired, ate too recently, meditated in bed, or are depleted from illness or stress. If your meditations often turn into “napitations,” Healthline suggests trying these tweaks:
Practice away from meals and out of the bedroom
Create a designated meditation space (even a favorite part of the couch)
Practice outside or try a walking meditation
Prioritize sleep and rest outside of meditation
Use a less comfy seat
Meditate when you are more alert
Stay hydrated
Do shorter, more frequent practices
Bottom line: Personally, we think it’s fine to doze off in meditation, outside of meditation, or whenever you’re sleepy—because quality rest is always a good thing.
[ REALITY CHECK ]
Our True Nature
When we’re young, we sometimes have to put up psychological walls to protect ourself from our environment. But if we’re not careful, our walls can end up defining us as adults: “I’m anxious.” “I’m avoidant.” “I’m depressed.” “I’m OCD.”
But that’s not who you truly are. That’s merely a description of your wall. Who you are behind your wall is loving, compassionate, generous, empathetic. You are a spirit having a human experience.
It’s hard to feel that sometimes. And that’s why we want to give the highest priority to our daily inner work—because it helps us gradually dismantle our wall, and get reacquainted with our true nature.
[This was Light’s most shared Daily Dose of Inspiration in the past 30 days]
[ READ. WATCH. LISTEN. ]
Read: Still Together: Connection Through Meditation
The first book by this month’s cover model, Manoj Dias, explores mindfulness, Buddhist philosophy and trend analysis. Still Together takes an active approach to reclaiming true and deep connection in our day-to-day lives. It takes you through different ways to be more present, engaged and be more connected with your life. Read more.
Watch: The Shop: Uninterrupted
Have you seen the reality show hosted and co-produced by NBA superstar LeBron James. The show brings “a real barbershop” experience filled with unscripted and free-flowing conversations with headlining guests who share their views on sports, music, pop culture, and world events, among other culturally relevant topics. Not your typical meditation-themed show, but it’s real, and honesty is spiritual. Watch it here.
Listen: Frequency, Vol 1.1
Frequency, Vol 1.1 is the most recent album produced in the healing frequency of 432 Hz and 444 Hz by artist, Maejor. “The music vibrating in frequencies that match nature helps bring the listener into increased harmony,” says Maejor, whose vision for what music can and should be has evolved beyond just recording and producing a feel-good track. Listen now.
[ REPORT FROM THE FIELD ]
Meditation has given me wisdom and compassion, and the ability to see the nature of our human lives.
What have you gotten from Meditation? Wisdom + compassion, and seeing the nature of our human lives.
Strangest meditation moment? In Vipassana - seeing and hearing spirits.
Most unexpected benefit of meditation? Good skin :)
[ WHO TO FOLLOW ]
Two of Our Favorite Instagram Accounts with a Purpose
Tara Stiles (left) is the founder of Strala Yoga, a revolutionary approach to healing through movement based in New York City. Stiles grew Strala from one studio based in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City to a studio and training business with currently over 1,000 instructors (called Guides) leading classes in 15 countries regularly to thousands of people weekly. Follow her on Instagram @tarastiles.
Black Boys OM, Inc. (right) is a group of black male yoga instructors who share their wellness practices within the black community or anyone who loves seeing Black folks thrive in wellness. They focus on uplifting black boys in particular with programs centering their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Follow them on Instagram @blackboysom
We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.
— Maya Angelou
Want to receive The Daily Meditator in your inbox once a month and stay informed on everything happening in the world of meditation? Hit the subscribe button below.