July 2022 TDM
The Summer Issue
Welcome to the 39th 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.
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[ MEDITATION & NEWS ]
Does Transcendental Meditation Turn You Into a Spy Op?
Gore-Tex heiress, Susan Gore, shifted from Transcendental Meditation advocate to (alleged) political spy. According to Mother Jones, Ms. Gore started off being heavily involved in the TM world, even going as far as to fund a political program for 400 inmates and corrections staff, attempting to create a TM-inspired halfway house, and heeding Maharishi’s call for practitioners to move to Iowa to be a part of the new meditation center.
Unfortunately, these days she is being investigated for planting spies in opposing political party organizations and engaging in illegal straw man donations. Oh, and she tried to adopt her ex-husband to evenly disperse their family trust money. Of course, all of this happened after she stopped meditating.
Bottom line: Two 20-minute meditations a day keeps the Feds away.
[ MEDITATION & RESEARCH ]
A Type of (ahem) Viagra For Women?
But not your typical little blue pill. Dr. Jessica Gorman, from OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences, is helping a population that few are.
She’s bringing mindfulness training to a pilot group of those healing from breast and gynecologic cancer, according to medicalxpress.com.
After dealing with cancer or cancer treatments, some women are left with sexual dysfunction or other sexual insecurities. Oftentimes, their doctor didn’t warn them about this as a potential side effect of treatment. As such, they are left feeling alone or struggling to bounce back.
Gorman has started the beginnings of a new area of clinical research by combing mindfulness, group therapy, homework exercises, and guidance from a trained facilitator.
Bottom line: Although this study only included 22 participants over Zoom, we are on board with helping women gain back their power.
Join Light’s 108-Day Diet Challenge: This diet challenge is designed by people who despise diet challenges. In other words, it’s not extreme. It’s very GRADUAL. And it’s set up to help you WIN! WE WANT TO HELP YOU optimize your health by reducing those parts of your diet that have been out of control for WAY TOO LONG. And whether you realize it or not, a bad diet creates a major drag on your immune system, your energy levels, and your overall mood. Click here to join.
[ MEDITATION & COMMUNITY ]
The Cleveland Cavaliers are Having a Busy Offseason
The Cavs are doing more than just scouting for potential draft picks. According to MSN.com, the organization has unveiled its newest Cavs Care Legacy Project, the Mindfulness Learning Space at Earle B. Turner Neighborhood Resource Center.
The aim of the newly renovated Mindfulness Learning Center is to provide a safe space for community members to enjoy and support the development and well-being of youth in Northeast Ohio.
At the unveiling, which happened on June 15, kids from around the local communities were invited to participate in a youth basketball clinic led by Cavs Youth Basketball coaches.
Bottom line: We love seeing sports organizations bring more mindfulness to the communities that support them.
[ MEDITATION & COMMUNITY ]
Studies Show That This Part of the Brain Shrivels Up When Not Put to Good Use
Or the brain can enlarge when exercised regularly. According to menafn.com, this part of the brain is known as the somatosensory cortex. The somatosensory cortex was considered to only be responsible for processing sensory information from various body parts.
However, new studies show that this structure is also involved in various stages of emotion processing, including recognizing, generating, and regulating emotions. And it has been hinted that a well-functioning and developed somatosensory cortex may help people experience the world and themselves more deeply.
Here are a few ways to make sure that your somatosensory cortex is in excellent shape:
Doing body scans
Breathing exercises
Dancing/Movement Therapy
A daily meditation practice
Bottom line: Just like any muscle in the human body, the brain can greatly benefit from a regular workout.
Join Light’s Double-Dose Meditation Challenge. This is where you commit to meditating TWICE a day for 108 straight days. If you have a practice that is intended to be done twice a day, or if you just want to double your dose of meditation, this is a way to hold yourself accountable to two meditations a day—one in the morning, and one in the afternoon or evening. Consistency comes down to accountability, support, and community, which is what you get with this challenge. And once you complete all 108 days, your entry fee will be credited back to you to use with another challenge or Masterclass in the Happiness Insiders community. Click here to join.
[ MEDITATION & POP-CULTURE ]
When Meditation Crosses Over to Music
Good things happen… The newest music released by Tycho features philosophical vocals with Ram Dass and Alan Watts. In collaboration with Superposition and Jeremiah Fraites, both tracks are atmospheric, tranquil, and with a lovely dose of calmness.
This is part of a larger compilation that weaves together ambient music with guided meditations from gurus and philosophers.
Bottom line: If you don’t have time to sit with your eyes closed, fire up your Spotify.
Enroll in Light’s new Masterclass: How To Move On After Breaking Up. The goal of this Masterclass to is help you navigate one of the hardest (and most treacherous) life situations which is moving on from a break-up—especially if you were blindsided. Everyone has advice on what you should do to move on but the truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But, there are spiritual principles that, if understood and embodied, will help you successfully move through this mourning and rebuilding process as quickly and efficiently as possible. Click here to enroll now.
[ REALITY CHECK ]
The Antidote to Fitness Masochism
Is your motivation for fitness supporting or hindering your mental health? There are a handful of reasons why we might want to pick up a fitness routine. You could have goals of finishing an ultramarathon, finally being able to kick up to handstand, or consistently reaching 10,000 steps a day.
Other times, you might be driven to look sexier in a crop top or have that abdominal “V” to get more attention from babes.
With as many positive effects that exercise inherently provides us, our reasons for doing it can fuel a negative mental health spiral. If we are constantly trying to match up to whatever fitness influencers are currently marketing, we can get stuck in a strangling mindset and behavior pattern that continues to promote insecurities.
The remedy? Bringing in self-awareness and intentionality with our why for physical activity.
While there can be an empowering connection between physical and mental health, we can also get lost in our own demise if we aren’t mindful of the reasons for exercising.
[ READ. WATCH. LISTEN. ]
Read: Happy Mind, Happy Life: The New Science of Mental Well-Being
The author of the international bestseller Feel Better in 5, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, shares cutting-edge insights into the science of happiness and reveals 10 simple ways to put you back in control of your health. It features real-life case studies and more than 20 practical exercises, including lessons on how to: Find your flow, create distance from your phone, and deal with criticism. Whether you are at a crisis point or simply want to experience more joy, this book will help you feel calmer, more confident, and able to live your life to the full. Read more
Watch: Brené Brown: The Call to Courage
Brené Brown: The Call to Courage is a documentary film directed by Sandra Restrepo and starring Brené Brown. It was released on Netflix on April 19, 2019. In this film, Brown discusses what it takes to choose courage over comfort in today's culture. Watch now
Listen: Become: Your Daily Unwind
Become is an audio collection that is 15 minutes or less for your daily dose of relaxation and mindfulness. Become has no subscription, no ads, no class or series— just a chance to unwind for a couple of minutes during your busy schedule to stay grounded. New episodes are available on Amazon Music and Wondery+, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Listen now
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 given me the ability to manifest with ease, grace, and clarity of energy that helps people to feel safe and held in my presence.
What have you gotten from Meditation? The first thing is that it cured my insomnia on day 1! The next 1 million things would likely fill a few magazines but here are a few favorite gifts my daily practice has given me: The ability to manifest with ease and grace, clarity of energy that helps people to feel safe and held in my presence, fertility, radiance, thriving immune system, reverse aging, and the ability to know viscerally that what I seek is in me.
Strangest meditation moment? Going into one of the deepest dives I've ever had in the middle of 13K people dancing their faces off at Tony Robbins.
Most unexpected benefit of meditation? Meditation has helped me tap into my sacred sexual desire and helped sex to be so much more fun!
[Emily’s Moving into Mastery class of 2022 will be open for enrollment on July 11-19. For more info, click here.]
Two of Our Favorite Instagram Accounts with a Purpose
Ben Decker (left) is a world-renowned meditation teacher, the best-selling author of multiple books, including his most recent release, Modern Spirituality: A Guide to the Heart of Mindfulness, Meditation, and the Art of Healing, and the host of the Modern Spirituality Podcast. Once praised by Forbes as a "legendary PR maven," and "a shining example of the talent the philanthropic community needs to attract," Ben left a prolific career in Hollywood to dedicate his professional life to sharing the universal teachings of global ancient traditions and conscious activism. Follow him @benjaminwdecker
Megan Monahan (right) is a meditation teacher and author. Megan is passionate about making meditation accessible and relatable. Her goal is to infuse a modern-day realness into the all too often esoteric landscape of meditation. Since learning to meditate in 2009 with Deepak Chopra and becoming a Chopra-certified instructor, she has taught thousands to meditate through her platform. Follow her @megmonahan
The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
— Joseph Addison
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