CAN'T Meditate? Monk REVEALS Ancient Technique to Connect with Higher Self! | Monk Gelong Thubten
Next Level Soul Podcast・56 minutes read
Meditation helps rewire reactions into positive responses, leading to self-improvement, as discussed by Thubten through his spiritual journey into Buddhism, highlighting self-compassion, the importance of non-judgment, and overcoming automatic stress responses. Thubten aims to make meditation accessible to all, emphasizing the ultimate goal of life as loving others and alleviating suffering, especially important in the interconnected world highlighted by the Covid experience.
Insights
- Meditation, as explained by Thubten, serves as a tool to rewire reactions into positive responses, aiding in self-improvement by challenging individuals to confront themselves and fostering self-compassion and empathy for personal growth.
- Thubten's journey emphasizes the transformative power of consistent meditation, debunking misconceptions and highlighting the importance of non-judgmental observation of thoughts and emotions, ultimately aiming to cultivate inner peace, calmness, and a compassionate mindset that transcends external circumstances.
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Recent questions
How does meditation benefit personal growth?
Meditation helps rewire reactions into positive responses, leading to self-improvement. It allows individuals to confront themselves, revealing inner struggles and self-doubt. Through self-compassion and empathy, meditation aids in personal growth by challenging cultural influences and societal pressures that contribute to feelings of inadequacy and self-hatred. Mistakes and struggles are seen as integral to the spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and growth.
What are some common challenges in meditation?
Initial struggles in meditation include facing self-hatred and silencing the mind's chatter. Many individuals expect immediate results or feel the need to experience something during meditation, leading to misconceptions. Teachers advise observing thoughts rather than clearing the mind, emphasizing the importance of consistency and not expecting immediate outcomes. Concentration techniques like focusing on breathing help calm the mind, while setting session times is crucial for structured practice.
How can meditation help with stress and suffering?
Meditation allows individuals to become less affected by stress and suffering over time, leading to increased calmness and altered reactions to stressful situations. By breaking free from automatic stress responses, individuals can rewire their internal reactions and become less enslaved by their thoughts. Connecting to one's higher potential or spiritual side through meditation can result in positive transformations in behavior and outlook, promoting inner peace and calmness.
What is the importance of non-judgment in meditation?
Non-judgment is crucial in meditation, where thoughts and emotions are observed without evaluation. This approach allows for a more mindful and compassionate practice, focusing on working with the ordinary mind and practicing acceptance. By letting go of judgments and letting thoughts pass without control, individuals can cultivate a more peaceful and accepting mindset during meditation, fostering a sense of calmness and self-compassion.
How can meditation be integrated into daily life?
Meditation can be integrated into daily life by meditating consistently, regardless of circumstances. This practice helps cultivate a habit that can be beneficial during challenging times, reducing fear and promoting calmness. By meditating during both good and bad times, individuals enhance their ability to be present and fully enjoy positive experiences without distraction. Setting intentions before and after meditation sessions activates the intention aspect of the brain, leading to a more helpful and compassionate mindset in daily life.
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Summary
00:00
"Thubten's Meditation Journey: Rewiring Reactions for Growth"
- Thubten shares how meditation helps rewire reactions into positive responses, leading to self-improvement.
- Thubten's spiritual journey began with extreme suffering, leading him to explore Buddhism.
- After experiencing a massive burnout in New York due to stress, Thubten turned to meditation for hope.
- Thubten became a monk for a year-long retreat in Scotland, which extended into a lifelong commitment.
- Thubten's monk experience was an intense form of self-psychotherapy, challenging yet rewarding.
- Meditation forces individuals to confront themselves, often revealing inner struggles and self-doubt.
- Thubten highlights the importance of self-compassion and empathy in personal growth.
- Cultural influences and societal pressures contribute to feelings of inadequacy and self-hatred.
- Thubten emphasizes that mistakes and struggles are integral to the spiritual journey and personal growth.
- Thubten shares his initial struggles with meditation, including facing self-hatred and the challenge of silencing the mind's chatter.
14:42
Mastering Meditation: Observing Thoughts, Not Clearing Mind
- Teachers explained observing thoughts, not clearing mind, during meditation.
- Initial challenge: expecting immediate results during meditation.
- Overcoming misconception of needing to feel something during meditation.
- Meditation compared to working out at the gym, emphasizing consistency.
- Importance of not expecting immediate results in meditation.
- Using concentration techniques like focusing on breathing to calm the mind.
- Losing track of time during meditation can lead to a blissful state.
- Viewing getting lost during meditation as a positive experience.
- Setting session times crucial for structured meditation practice.
- Longest meditation session experienced: three hours and 15 minutes during a retreat.
28:25
"Benefits of Consistent Meditation Practice"
- Everyone in the meditation retreat follows the same schedule, with the abbot joining for a three-hour session in the meditation hall, challenging participants not to move.
- Long meditation retreats are described as both painful and helpful, forcing individuals to face themselves without distractions, leading to self-discovery and self-acceptance.
- The focus of meditation is on working with the ordinary, the mind, and practicing letting go and acceptance, rather than seeking mystical experiences.
- Non-judgment is crucial in meditation, where thoughts and emotions are observed without evaluation, allowing for a more mindful and compassionate approach.
- Meditation is compared to exercise, where judging sessions as good or bad can hinder progress, emphasizing the importance of non-judgment and letting go of thoughts.
- The concept of giving the mind freedom in meditation is explained as observing thoughts without trying to control them, akin to letting clouds pass in the sky.
- Meditating daily, even when not in the mood, is essential preparation for death, as it teaches the mind to meditate even in challenging times, aiding in a calm approach to death.
- The importance of meditating consistently, regardless of circumstances, is highlighted to cultivate a habit that can be beneficial during the dying process, reducing fear and promoting calmness.
- Encouragement is given to meditate during both good and bad times, as it enhances one's ability to be present and fully enjoy positive experiences without distraction.
- The speaker's experience as a meditation consultant on the film Doctor Strange is briefly mentioned, where they taught meditation techniques to actors like Benedict Cumberbatch for their roles as mystical arts masters.
41:47
Meditation: Key to Actors' Focus and Happiness
- Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton meditated together during breaks while filming, focusing on being in a deep state of meditation to prepare for their scenes.
- The preparation for filming involved peace, tranquility, and internal communication rather than character preparation or learning lines.
- Meditation was used to help actors and performers be completely in the zone during filming, especially crucial in the fast-paced nature of movie production.
- Meditation was utilized to help individuals live in the moment, crucial for performers in capturing the essence of scenes during filming.
- Meditation was introduced to film sets to bring calmness and focus amidst the chaos and stress of large-scale productions like Marvel movies.
- Setting intentions before and after meditation sessions helps activate the intention aspect of the brain, leading to a more helpful and compassionate mindset.
- Humans have a natural inclination towards unhappiness due to a negativity bias ingrained in our biology for survival, which meditation can help counteract.
- The constant exposure to negative news and information through technology contributes to a skewed perception towards negativity, making meditation crucial for mental well-being.
- Consciousness, as discussed in Buddhism, is seen as something beyond the body and brain, connecting individuals to a larger spiritual side through meditation.
- True happiness is defined as acceptance, love, and the ability to find inner peace and calmness regardless of external circumstances, achievable through meditation.
57:17
Meditation's transformative power for stress relief
- Meditation leads to feeling calmer and less affected by stress and suffering over time, prompting a desire to continue due to noticeable benefits.
- The transformative effects of meditation include increased calmness, altered reactions to stressful situations, and a shift in outlook on life.
- Through meditation, individuals can break free from automatic stress responses, rewire their internal reactions, and become less enslaved by their thoughts.
- Meditation can also involve connecting to one's higher potential or spiritual side, leading to positive transformations in behavior and outlook.
- The speaker's mission is to normalize meditation, making it accessible to all, and to integrate it into various aspects of life to combat stress.
- The ultimate goal of life, according to the speaker, is to love others and alleviate their suffering, emphasizing the importance of compassion and interconnectedness.
- The Covid experience has highlighted the interconnectedness of humanity, potentially fostering a sense of community, kindness, and respect for frontline workers, offering hope for a more compassionate world.
