[12/22/2022 Update: Oops it looks like I accidentally sent out the previous episode for this podcast, but it’s been updated on WordPress as of around 8pm Central]
In this fourth installment of the ongoing live series with Wendy Nash inquiring into meditation practice on and off the cushion, we planed to, and did look quite a bit at “…Christmas, family, tense conversations, New Year, alcohol, partying – and how they relate to meditation and ethics.”
Amongst other topics we also look at right (or wise, skillful or whole) effort, whole speech, whole livelihood and some who are calling off holidays around this time of year altogether.
*There’s naturally an ongoing open call for meditation (related) questions for the (roughly) monthly “Meditation Q & A” either by the various social media means listed; integratingpresence[at]protonmail.com or just showing up on Insight Timer live or Wisdom App to type/ask live.*
Background
Regular, current and past visitors to Integrating Presence may recall the monthly series “Ask Us Anything” I did with Denny K Miu from August 2020 until January 2022 — partially including and continuing on with Lydia Grace as co-host for awhile until March 2022.
For a few months thereafter I did various Insight Timer live events exploring potential new directions and/or a continuation of the Ask Us Anything format while weaving in other related teachings to these events.
Then, after chats with meditation coach Wendy Nash, it became clear to start a new collaboration similar to “Ask Us Anything” simply and clearly called “Meditation Q & A” especially due to the original intent of the Ask Us Anything’s being “discussions about meditation and related topics.”
Past chats with Wendy:
Audio: Towards Mastering Holiday “Celebrations” | 12/21/2022 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #04
We didn’t get to gratitude but here’s some links to the science behind its benefits (via the show above https://www.corbettreport.com/solutionswatch-givingthanks/):
Gratitude is positively related to increased subjective well-being
Robert Emmons: Benefits of Gratitude
Thanks! How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons
2015 study: benefits of gratitude for heart failure patients
2016 study: relationship between gratitude intervention and reduced blood pressure
2017 study: relationship between gratitude and hemoglobin A1c
Is Gratitude Good for Your Health?
Stuff To Blow Your Mind podcast – From the Vault: Thankful: The Science of Gratitude
Integrating Presence 