Meditation can be challenging, whether you are a total beginner or an experienced meditator. Dr. Matthew Tift draws on his experience teaching meditation and yoga to guide you towards peacefulness and clarity. Born from Midwestern sensibility, this meditation podcast does not take itself too seriously. Slow down, settle in, and experience the wholesome effects of guided meditation that is pretty good.
69. Decentering
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Psychologists use the phrase "decentering" to denote the difference between our thoughts and reality. It's a practice the removes you from the center of your thinking. In this meditation we practice a variety of decentering techniques designed to help shift from a self-centered perspective to a nature-centered perspective.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/69. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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In this meditation, we examine the body as four elements: the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element. This practice provides a method to go into the body based on material conditions. Not the stories the mind tells about the body. Not judgments. The reality of this moment. This practice can help us learn to let go of attachments and judgements about ourselves and other people
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/68. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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Sometimes loving-kindness meditations focus on categories of people, starting with you, and then moving to someone who is easy to love, then family, friends, acquaintances, people that you do not like, people you've never met, etc. Other times, loving-kindness meditations take a more geographical approach, such as starting with you, the people you live with, neighbors, people that live in the same city, state, nation, or world, etc. In this meditation, we drop most of those categories and focus on the feeling of loving-kindness.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/67. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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Most of the time, our minds are not satisfied, and instead are on the lookout for danger, scattered, or just board. In this meditation we use a mantra to help train the mind to appreciate the present moment: "This moment is perfect, whole, and complete."
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/66. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
65. Seeing the Truth
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We can't make much progress in meditation if we do not see the world for what it is. In this practice, we pay attention to how the mind draws us away from what is real. We pause, with the intention of letting go of those stories and seeing the world as it actually is.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/65. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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During meditation it is common to hear a sound or experience a feeling that sends the mind off, carried away and caught up in the future or the past. In this meditation we investigate the nature of the distractions, practice letting them go, and re-establish connection to the present.
The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0. Subscribe to my newsletter at matthewtift.com/newsletter.
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In this meditation you will start by noticing how your body fits within the space of your own awareness. Using the physical sensations of the body and the flow of breath, this meditation allows you to practice centering your attention, stabilizing your awareness, and rest in the knowing.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/63. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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Would you like a short break in your day? This brief centering practice provides a moment for you to give yourself the gift of a pause.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/62. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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In this meditation we begin by placing the body in a balanced, steady, and comfortable position. We allow a sense of relaxation to flow down through the body. We maintain a focus on the physical sensations in the body, training the mind to stay focused on the present moment.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/61. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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This episode begins with a breath meditation and then moves to a body scan to notice the effects of the breath meditation. Specifically, the goal of this practice is to notice feelings of inner peace, interrogate their characteristics, and observe their energy.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/60. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.