Michael Taft: Meditation and Mindfulness for Geeks

This week we talk to Rainn Wilson about the courage to be hopefulRainn Wilson is best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s The Office. Wilson also voiced the alien villain Gallaxhar in Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) and starred in the police procedural BackstromToday he’s equally well-known for his millions of Twitter followers and the philosophy website he founded, SoulPancake, which creates media about life's big questions. and wrote a New York Times bestselling book of the same name.He just released a memoir called The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy. Our Sponsor this Week is Spirituality and Health Magazine. Click here for your free trial issue and special offer. In This Interview Rainn Wilson and I Discuss...The One You Feed parableHis new book The Bassoon KingHow spirituality got a bad nameHow spirituality is everything that we don't have in common with the monkeysHow happiness is not an if then propositionThe difference between happiness and joyThe balance between ambition and acceptanceHow cynicism robs us of the gift of joyHow much easier it is to be cynical than to be hopefulBombing on BroadwayHow success doesn't mean the end of the difficulties of lifeThe Baha'i faithHow the Baha'i faith encourages equality between women and menThomas MertonReconciling a loving God with the terrible things that happen in the worldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 Feb 201650min

This week we talk to Manoush Zomorodi about remaining human in a digital ageThis interview was recorded live in the WNYC studios in New York city, home of other popular podcasts like RadioLab, The New Yorker Radio Hour and Freakonomics.Manoush Zomorodi is the host and managing editor of Note to Self, “the tech show about being human,” from WNYC Studios.Every week on her podcast, Manoush searches for answers to life’s digital quandaries, through experiments and conversations with listeners and experts. Topics include information overload, digital clutter, sexting “scandals," and the eavesdropping capabilities of our gadgets.Manoush’s goal, as the New York Times wrote, is to “embrace the ridiculousness” of modern life, even when that means downloading dozens of apps to fight the feeling of digital overload.  She often speaks on creativity in the digital age, kids and technology, and non-fiction storytelling.Manoush has won numerous awards including 4 from the New York Press Club. In 2014, the Alliance for Women in Media named her Outstanding Host. Prior to New York Public Radio, Manoush reported and produced around the world for BBC News and Thomson Reuters. In 2012, she published Camera Ready, a guide to multimedia journalism.The Note to Self podcast is starting a new challenge called Infomagical to help cope with information overload.. You will hear more about during the episode. If you want to sign up to participate at go to  wnyc.org/infomagical. Challenge week starts February 1 and runs through February 5. Our Sponsor this Week is MeetMindfulVisit MeetMindful and get a free trial In This Interview, Manoush and I Discuss:The One You Feed parableHow the good and bad wolf help each other to find the middle groundWhich "technology" wolf are you feeding?Keeping our humanity in a digital ageTrying to understand the effects our technologies have on usHaving to make too many small decisions all day longInformation overloadHow the average American takes in over 12 hours of information per dayThe Note to Self Infomagical challengeThe consumption to creation ratioTaking in too much information but not remembering or applying any of itHow a theme is important for memory and learningThe myth of multi-taskingHow not being perfect is the point of being humanThe new digital literacyInformation filter failureAsking "What's the Point" when consuming digital contentEric's Three Questions:What am I doing?Why am I doing?Is it what I should be doing?Pulsing- working in small burstsGetting everything out of your mind and written down somewhere and then prioritize itSee more show notes on our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Jan 201636min

This week we talk to Belinda Gore about The EnneagramThis episode was recorded outdoors, live before an audienceBelinda Gore is a psychologist, coach and experienced seminar leader who is skilled in supporting high-level learning and personal development.  She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, from The Ohio State University. Using the Enneagram system along with thirty years’ experience in facilitating change, she helps leaders identify their natural talents and deliver results by engaging the best in themselves and their organizations.She founded The Enneagram Institute of Central Ohio, is the former president of The Cuyamungue Institute, a non-profit organization with international membership, and is a founder and former managing partner of Wilbridge Consultation Center, a multidisciplinary group using a holistic approach in working with individuals and groups. Our Sponsor this Week is FractureVisit Fracture and use the promo code “wolf” to get 10% off!! In This Interview, Belinda and I Discuss:The One You Feed parableUnderstanding our filters and patternsThe EnneagramChoosing what to focus onThe great Lou DeweinHow we need nature in our life- echo philosophyWhat the Enneagram isThe 9 Enneagram Personality Types For more show notes visit our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Jan 201649min

This week we talk to Toni Bernhard about not getting what we wantToni Bernhard was a law professor at the University of California—Davis when she became very ill. Since then she had dealt with, and helped teach the world about how to deal with chronic conditions.She is the author of How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and their Caregivers. Her second book is titled How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Navigating Joy and Sorrow. Her latest book is How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness.  Our Sponsor this Week is FractureVisit Fracture and use the promo code “wolf” to get 10% off!!In This Interview, Toni and I DiscussThe One You Feed parableHow we are forming our personality as we goThe malleability of the mindOur inability to be nice ourselvesHow it feels good to be nice, kind and compassionateHer journey through illnessLearning to handle not getting our wayHow hard dealing with chronic illness isHow most of our suffering comes from our reaction to events, not the events themselves.Building a life within our limitationsDealing with things that are out of our controlHow pain and sorrow are inevitable but suffering is optionalFor more show notes please visit our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 Jan 201638min

This week we talk to John Lee DumasJohn Lee Dumas is the Founder and Host of EntrepreneurOnFire, awarded 'Best of iTunes 2013'. John interviews today's most inspiring and successful Entrepreneurs 7-days a week and has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Success, INC, & TIME Magazine.John also founded the #1 Podcasting community in the world; Podcasters' Paradise; a community where over 1500 Podcasters learn how to create, grow, and monetize their podcast in a supportive environment. He just completed the book The Freedom Journal. It is designed to help you create and complete a major goal in 100 days. Our Sponsor this Week is Casper MatressesVisit casper.com/feed and use the promo code “feed” to get $50 off!! In This Interview, John and I Discuss Accomplishing Your GoalsThe One You Feed parableControlling our outlook  on lifeBeing grateful for todayThe three things he does when he feels downThe value of exercise and fresh airSurrounding ourselves with positive peopleThe legacy of Scott DinsmoreJohn's time in the armyFor more show notes visit our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Jan 201638min

This week we talk to Megan Feldman Bettencourt about forgivenessMegan Feldman Bettencourt is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has reported from many countries, and her journalism has appeared in publications including The San Francisco Chronicle, Psychology Today, Salon, The Daily Beast, Glamour, Newsday and many others. Megan is the author of the internationally-acclaimed book, TRIUMPH OF THE HEART: FORGIVENESS IN AN UNFORGIVING WORLD, which explores forgiveness through science, stories and memoir. She holds a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Our Sponsor this Week is Thrive Market! Wholesome Products. Wholesale Prices.In This Interview, Megan and I Discuss...The One You Feed parableDrinking poison and expecting your enemy to dieThe story that got her interested in researching forgivenessHer definition of forgiveness- giving up resentmentHow forgiveness is not about enabling someone to avoid accountabilityHow Forgiveness and justice are not mutually exclusiveForgiving because it benefits usThe toxic effects of resentment on our bodyThe process of learning to forgiveGrieving and feeling the emotions are part of the forgiveness practiceEngaging the part of the brain that is more able to become forgiving For more show notes visit our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30 Dec 201540min

Interested in behavior change? Please help us out by taking our short 3 question survey and receive a free guide: The 5 Biggest Behavior Change Mistakes  This week we talk to Kristin Neff about self compassionKristin Neff is a self-compassion researcher, author, and Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She got her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley in 1997 in the field of moral development.While doing her post-doctoral work she decided to conduct research on self-compassion – a central construct in Buddhist psychology and one that had not yet been examined empirically.In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an 8-week program to teach self-compassion skills. The program, co-created with her colleague Chris Germer, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, is called Mindful Self-Compassion. Her book, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself was recently released in paperback.She and her family were recently featured in the documentary and book called The Horse Boy. Our Sponsor this Week is Thrive Market! Wholesome Products. Wholesale Prices.In This Interview, Kristin and I Discuss...The One You Feed parableThe difference between self-esteem and self-compassionWhat self compassion isThe research on self-compassion and its benefitsHow self-compassion increases motivationThe more self-compassionate you are, the less afraid of failure you areHow self-compassion reduces performance anxietyThe three pillars of self-compassionLearning to soothe and comfort ourselvesRemembering that all people struggle and sufferThe damaging psychological effects of isolationLearning to turn towards our own pain in order to work with itHow to practice self-compassionLearning to talk to ourselves like we would a friendFor more show notes visit our websiteInterested in behavior change? Please help us out by taking our short 3 question survey and receive a free guide: The 5 Biggest Behavior Change MistakesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Dec 201531min

Please help us out by taking our short 3 question survey and receive a free guide: The 5 Biggest Behavior Change Mistakes  This week we talk to Monk Yunrou about modern TaoismTaoist Monk Yunrou in as author, activist, and tai chi master, Yunrou (formerly known as Arthur Rosenfeld) has a lifelong relationship with Taoism. A 35-year master of Taoist arts, he was born in America and ordained a monk, by official leave, at the Pure Yang Temple in Guangzhou, China. Combining his overarching spiritual focus with a Yale literary education, the pursuit of natural history at the University of California and Cornell, he is an authority on the cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions of Eastern thinking for the Western world.Yunrou contributes to such publications as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Parade, and has been profiled and cited in Newsweek, and other national magazines. His blog on The Huffington Post is frequently cited by other websites, including The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business News, and Reuters. He has appeared on national TV networks including Fox News, and interviewed on various podcasts and radio shows. From 2010 – 2013, Yunrou hosted the hit (56MM households tuned in) national public television show Longevity Tai Chi with Arthur Rosenfeld.His latest book is called Yin: A Love Story Our Sponsor this Week is Thrive Market! Wholesome Products. Wholesale Prices.In This Interview, Yunrou and I Discuss...The One You Feed parableThe Tao Te Ching- Eric's favorite translationHow the Tao that can be spoken is not the real TaoSeeing things in terms of binary opposites working harmoniously together.What Taoism isThe differences between Taoist meditation and Buddhist meditationTai Chi and the deep integration to TaoismThe culture which the Tao Te Ching was writtenSome of Eric's favorite sections from the Tao Te ChingHow there is no connection between money and happinessThe lack of connection we have to the modern worldHistory of Lao TzuThe concept of stewardshipFor more show notes visit our website Please help us out by taking our short 3 question survey and receive a free guide: The 5 Biggest Behavior Change MistakesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Dec 201536min