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.
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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we practice the most common form of meditation: ānāpānasati, or "mindfulness of breathing."
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/9. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we explore the metaphor of tending the garden as a meditation technique.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/8. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we explore the motivation behind your meditation practice. Some people want to become more peaceful or happy. Others want to get rid of anxiety or fear. This episode provides a space to reflect on your reasons for practice.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/7. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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During meditation, we frequently use a "meditation object," such as the breath, a mantra, or physical sensations to help cultivate present moment awareness. Rather than let the mind jump around, we give it a task, something to do. There are many kinds of meditation objects, and in this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we use piano music.
The musical example, Frederic Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9 no. 2, performed by Aya Higuchi, is in the public domain (https://musopen.org/music/108-nocturnes-op-9). The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0. To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/6.
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The goal of meditation is not to eliminate all mental and emotional activity. Rather, meditation provides a welcoming space. It provides a container to help redefine our relationship to thoughts and emotions, and to let go of our attachment to our views and opinions. In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we practice simply welcoming whatever arises.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/5. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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Metta, also known as loving-kindness, is a practice of sending benevolent thoughts into the world. It is a selfless wishing of goodwill and happiness to others. When practiced regularly, metta meditation can bring about a wide array of positive changes.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/4. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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This episode explores the concept of nature-centered living and tuning in to the ordinary state of how things are right now.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/3. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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Between each in breath and out breath, there is a pause. Between each out breath and in breath, there is a pause. We can use these pauses as the focus in our meditation.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit matthewtift.com/prettygood/2. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.
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When I first started to get serious about meditation and wanted to establish a daily meditation practice, I literally began with two minute meditations. I found a website called QuietKit.com and began with their two minute guided meditations. So it seemed fitting for this inaugural episode of Pretty Good Meditation to offer a two minute meditation.
To leave a comment about this episode, visit https://matthewtift.com/prettygood/1. The theme music is "Maxixe" performed by Edson Lopes under CC BY 3.0.