Wake Me Up: Morning Positivity - Morning Mindfulness - Find Peace in the Space Between

Episode Date: October 3, 2023

In today's morning mindfulness practice, we'll learn to manage our constant stream of thoughts and emotions by finding space in between them. Living in the moment means appreciating EVERY part of the process; every high, every low, and every moment in the middle. Listen to my Spotify playlists to keep the good vibes going this morning: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6nSXshDBPub8iigdyQJlWN?si=207f42f85dbc4b97 Want to be more focused? Wish distractions would just melt away? Sign up for the WMU Focus Course! If you're interested in joining, all you need to do is sign up for the course here: https://wakemeuppod.gumroad.com/l/focus. Get ad-free access to the entire WMU catalog + bonus content + 25% discount on WMU courses by joining the WMU Premium Feed. Sign up and start your 7-day free trial at https://wakemeup.supercast.com/. Follow the show on Youtube -  Spotify - Apple Podcasts - Amazon - Podchaser Listen on Podurama - https://podurama.com Say hi or request an episode at www.wakemeuppodcast.com/contact. See visual guides for the yoga and stretches in WMU episodes at www.wakemeuppodcast.com/stretches. And find the podcast on Instagram and TikTok. **Only partake in the physical movements suggested in Wake Me Up episodes if you are physically able and in safe surroundings. All movements are done at the individual's own risk. Be safe, and always consult a doctor if you have any questions or concerns.** Have a wonderful day 😃 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wake Me Up is made possible thanks to the generous help of our advertisers and premium supporters. If you'd like to support Wake Me Up, listen ad-free, and get access to the entire catalog plus bonus episodes, then follow the link in the show notes to sign up for Wake Me Up Premium. Now before our episode begins, here's a quick word from our sponsors. Hey there, and welcome to Wake Me Up. As always, I'm your host, Tyler. If you've been here before, then you know that on this show we talk a lot about the practice of meditation and living in the present. Actually, many of our conversations come back to how we can find what we're looking for in the present moment. Today, I want to dive into a little secret of mindfulness that will make you more present.

It'll make you happier. It'll make you relate better to others. But before we begin, let's take a moment. just to pause, wherever you're at, whatever you're doing, take a deep breath in, fill all the way up, hold at the top, and then exhale. Perfect. Now, as you took that breath, I wonder whether any thoughts came up. My bet is that something did. And that's perfectly normal. Let's take another two breaths. And this time, I just want you to count. As best as you can, how many different thoughts come up during these two breath cycles?

And there's no right answer, so don't overthink it. Now inhale, fill all the way up, hold, and exhale. Just let the air fall back out. Again, even deeper this time, filling all the way up, hold, and then exhale and release. Perfect. Now, any idea how many thoughts you just had during that 20 seconds or so? Maybe it seems like a few. Maybe you managed to have almost none, and that's awesome.

Maybe you had 20 or 30, or so many you couldn't even keep track. The good news is that this shows all thoughts are passing. They come and go like clouds. And this is the secret to what we'll be talking about. today. So if you're starting this episode from bed, I recommend that you take advantage of this moment, roll over, make your way up, and get your morning started. And you can do whatever you'd like to do as you listen along. There's no more practicing involved. So if you want to take your dog for a walk or have a stretch or make a cup of coffee, please be my guest. My friend, let's face it, our thoughts have a

remarkable talent for taking us out of the present moment. Whether you're new to mindfulness and meditation or not, I know you know that feeling. One moment, you're completely in tune. You're locked in a state of flow, aware of nothing but the moment you're in. And then the next, you're being drug into the dreaded dungeons of your past, or catapulted into concerns about the future.

You become full of thoughts of what has been and what might be. Usually, our natural response is to try to push those thoughts down. We might say, not now. I'm trying to do something else. But the harder we try to push these thoughts away, the quicker and more aggressively they tend to come back up. It's a mental gymnastics routine worthy of a gold medal. And I probably don't have to tell you that suppressing

thoughts won't help you be present or focused. In fact, bottling emotions, thoughts, and concerns almost always has the opposite effect. By attempting to control our thoughts, we give them power over us. And in the end, it's a struggle that we just won't win. And that's because we humans are thought machines. We are literally designed to think. And most of the time, thinking is really helpful. But sometimes we need a break. We need to get away from our thoughts, to get perspective, to relax, to enjoy what life is offering to us right now.

The problem is that thoughts come in a constant stream. One comes and goes, only to be replaced by another. And we can't do anything to stop that process. Again, we're thinking machines. But we can find space within. that process. Between each thought and the next, there is a sliver of silence. And that's our leverage point to become more present. Imagine your mind is a vast flowing river. Your thoughts resemble leaves gently floating on the surface or a small fish being carried by the current.

Our goal is not to block, redirect, or manipulate the flow of the river in any way. Instead, We watch peacefully as it floats by. There's no need to cling to objects we spot in the water, nor is there a need to interrupt their journey. They're not intruders. They're simply a part of the river. Although this isn't traditionally taught, sometimes it can be helpful to label thoughts as they appear,

at least broadly. Just as you might spot a leaf in a river and say, oh, that's a leaf floating down the river. You can label your thoughts in a helpful way, too. Again, do it without judgment. For example, oh, that's a thought about work passing through my mind. And with that, you just let it go. Remember, we're not categorizing these thoughts as negative or positive.

Just like we wouldn't do that for a leaf floating down a stream. We're simply noticing and allowing it to pass. Now here comes the magic part. In that moment, after the thought exits, there's a pause, a space. For a moment, the river is crystal clear. You can see through it perfectly. There's nothing else floating by to catch your attention. It's in this space, the space between thoughts, where clarity and serenity reside.

Momentarily, there is relief from that endless parade of thoughts. So it's not about squashing your thoughts. It's about finding that quiet place between them. And the distinction lies in acknowledging our thoughts rather than attempting to suppress or control them. And remember, don't be disheartened when thoughts return because they always will. Instead, repeat the process.

Simply notice the thought, label it if it's helpful, and then let it pass. always come back to that space between because it will always be there. And over time, as you practice this, you'll find that sliver of silence more and more accessible. That's where the beauty lies. Author Eckhart Toll said,

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. And my friend, that is the truth. When we're lost in our thoughts about the past or future, or missing out on the one opportunity we have, which is right now, the place where life is truly happening. So the next time you find yourself caught in a flood of thoughts, remember, you are the one in control. You can choose to let your thoughts drown you, or you can simply let them float along.

Mindfulness, and a lot of times happiness and success are not in fighting the current, but rather going with the flow. So give it a try today when you have a moment of stress or a line of negative thoughts. See if you can just pause and enjoy the peace and quiet that lasts for just a moment

in between those thoughts. I promise if you do, it'll help lighten your load and make your day a bit brighter. But that's all for now. I hope this episode made your day a bit brighter. And if it did, I'd really love it if you took a second

to leave a comment or a moment or a review. It means the world to me when you do that. I hope to see you back here soon on Wake Me Up. Until then, go out and have a fantastic day.