BROADCASTS.com

What if the most courageous, compassionate thing you could do in life, was to learn how to be with yourself? It\u2019s a powerful, perhaps surprising idea put forward by this week\u2019s guest, the Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and author Gelong Thubten.\xa0\n\xa0\nThubten became a monk back in 1993 after suffering from severe physical and mental burnout whilst following his dream of becoming an actor in New York City.\n\xa0\nHis new book,\xa0A Handbook for Hard Times: A Monk\u2019s Guide to Fearless Living, draws on what he\u2019s learned over the past 30 years. Its premise is that we can embrace life\u2019s difficulties as opportunities for personal transformation, using hard times to cultivate resilience, kindness, and happiness.\n\xa0\nWe begin our conversation talking about distraction and addiction, two states that are very closely linked. When we distract ourselves by scrolling, overeating, or drinking for example, says Thubten, we\u2019re pushing away emotional pain or discomfort \u2013 even if we may not realise it. But the discomfort is really in the pushing. If we can learn instead to sit with what\u2019s making us uncomfortable, those emotions start to transform.\n\xa0\nSo, how exactly are we meant to do this? Thubten explains that one way is through the practice of meditation and learning how to process negative emotions in the moment, rather than only understanding them in retrospect.\xa0\n\xa0\nThe most common misconception is that meditation needs a clear mind. But thoughts are inevitable, and the goal is not to push them away. If we use meditation to sit with our thoughts, rather than escape them, the transformations really start to happen. We become less controlled by negative emotions and start to cultivate positive ones. Meditation can unlock our innate self-compassion and this, in turn, improves our relationship with ourselves and with others.\n\xa0\nThubten insists that you can\u2019t fail at meditation, because it really just means \u2018being you\u2019. The more we meditate, the less we run away from hard times and fear, and the more we become our true, contented selves.\n\xa0\nThubten is an excellent communicator and I hope you enjoy this really special episode.\n\nSupport the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts\xa0https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to\xa0https://fblm.supercast.com.\n\nThanks to our sponsors:\nhttps://www.naturalmat.co.uk/livemore\nhttps://drinkag1.com/livemore\nhttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore\nhttps://www.seed.com/livemore\n\nShow notes\xa0https://drchatterjee.com/387\n\nDISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.