Happiness Break: Wrap Yourself in Kindness, With Jack Kornfield

Published: Feb. 8, 2024, 11 a.m.

When we treat ourselves with kindness and gratitude, research shows we feel more motivated and less self-critical. Meditation teacher Jack Kornfield leads in a practice where we gently turn inward.

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Link to episode transcript:\xa0http://tinyurl.com/yfbz28h2

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How to Do This Practice:

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  1. Find a comfortable position to begin the practice. Focus on taking deep breaths, relaxing your body.

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  3. As you recognize the different sensations in your body, consciously envelope yourself in kindness. Thank your body for providing and caring for you.

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  5. Redirect your loving kindness towards your heart and the varied emotions it carries.Thank your heart for all it does for you. Then, focus your kindness towards your mind and all the thoughts and worries it holds. Thank it for all that it does.

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  7. Next, turn towards your consciousness as a whole \u2013 your emotions, body, thoughts. Rest in a state of comfortable, loving-kindness.

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  9. When you\u2019re ready, gently open your eyes and reconnect with the world around you.

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Today\u2019s Happiness Break host:

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Jack Kornfield\xa0is a meditation teacher and author who is one of the leading voices to share Buddhist teachings with a Western audiences.

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Learn more about Jack\u2019s work:\xa0http://tinyurl.com/2wfth7v2

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Follow Jack on Instagram:\xa0http://tinyurl.com/3zs2bjvx

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Follow Jack on Twitter:\xa0http://tinyurl.com/bd5r9k4a

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Follow Jack on Facebook:\xa0http://tinyurl.com/mryr839y

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More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

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Take Our Self-Compassion Quiz:\xa0https://tinyurl.com/yysrf663

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How to Bring Self-Compassion to Work with You:\xa0https://tinyurl.com/45zkrkam

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The Five Myths of Self-Compassion:\xa0https://tinyurl.com/2p88vass

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How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain:\xa0http://tinyurl.com/2f78cywf

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Is Gratitude Good for Your Health?\xa0http://tinyurl.com/yc86ve9d

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We love hearing from you! Tell us about your experience of gratitude and self-compassion. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

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Find us on Spotify:\xa0https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus

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Help us share Happiness Break!\xa0Rate us and copy and share this link:\xa0https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus

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We\u2019re living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout \u2014 we all could use a break to feel better. That\u2019s where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more \u2014 what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.