Our Mindful Nature: Meditation Inspired by Nature to Soothe the Overwhelmed Mind and Ease Anxiety

As we muddle through this long-awaited election, we are tangling with some fierce emotions, and while I could teach some lovely, feel-the-peace type meditations {and I’m sure I will} it feels to me crucial that we use this time to engage with the fierce and the not-so-beautiful side of the human experience. 

In this month’s meditation series, we are going to examine the beauty of the unknown, the beauty of fierceness, and the beauty of the not-so-beautiful. This series will offer up some tools for making friends with the most difficult moments in our lives, for embracing rather than fearing the perpetual paradox of being human, and connecting back to the wildness of our roots.

If you aren’t sure how you’ll keep going this month, if staying in bed and pulling the covers over your head is tempting, then this particular meditation series is for you. In a safe, accessible way, we are pulling up our big kid pants, and stepping out in each moment of our life with eyes wide open and hearts blazing. 

Today’s episode of The Mindful Minute starts with the UNKNOWN. 

Will we get an answer tomorrow? 

Can we trust it? 

What will happen next?

It is almost inevitable that our minds run away with the fear of the unknown. Run over the cliff of the future. And yet, our job right now is to stop ourselves from running away with fear. It is to stay deeply rooted in the present.

I’m pretty confident that most of us listening are hoping for a peaceful outcome to the election, one that unites our country and provides folks with a sense of hopefulness, security and peace. Yet, when we so deeply feel the lack of control over a moment such as this, how many of us respond in ways that divide, destabilize and devalue the moment? 

* We think in terms of Us vs Them* We pick fights with partners, kids, co-workers because we can* We devalue ourselves and our well-being by suddenly dropping all the tools that help us stay rooted and strong

If we want to see a courageous and peaceful future, we must apply those fearless principles within ourselves on the most micro level. Join me for today’s episode as we discuss the antidote to fear and share in a 20-minute guided meditation.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

As we muddle through this long-awaited election, we are tangling with some fierce emotions, and while I could teach some lovely, feel-the-peace type meditations {and I’m sure I will} it feels to me crucial that we use this time to engage with the fierce and the not-so-beautiful side of the human experience. 

In this month’s meditation series, we are going to examine the beauty of the unknown, the beauty of fierceness, and the beauty of the not-so-beautiful. This series will offer up some tools for making friends with the most difficult moments in our lives, for embracing rather than fearing the perpetual paradox of being human, and connecting back to the wildness of our roots.

If you aren’t sure how you’ll keep going this month, if staying in bed and pulling the covers over your head is tempting, then this particular meditation series is for you. In a safe, accessible way, we are pulling up our big kid pants, and stepping out in each moment of our life with eyes wide open and hearts blazing. 

Today’s episode of The Mindful Minute starts with the UNKNOWN. 

Will we get an answer tomorrow? 

Can we trust it? 

What will happen next?

It is almost inevitable that our minds run away with the fear of the unknown. Run over the cliff of the future. And yet, our job right now is to stop ourselves from running away with fear. It is to stay deeply rooted in the present.

I’m pretty confident that most of us listening are hoping for a peaceful outcome to the election, one that unites our country and provides folks with a sense of hopefulness, security and peace. Yet, when we so deeply feel the lack of control over a moment such as this, how many of us respond in ways that divide, destabilize and devalue the moment? 

* We think in terms of Us vs Them* We pick fights with partners, kids, co-workers because we can* We devalue ourselves and our well-being by suddenly dropping all the tools that help us stay rooted and strong

If we want to see a courageous and peaceful future, we must apply those fearless principles within ourselves on the most micro level. Join me for today’s episode as we discuss the antidote to fear and share in a 20-minute guided meditation.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

Within our meditation practice, there are times when we feel quite deep and internal, and there are times when we feel more ‘on the surface’ and external. This flow from depth to surface and back again is a normal and healthy part of our practice. Mark Nepo refers to this ever-moving flow as “persistent drift”. 

Join me for today’s mini meditation as we honor whatever cycle we may find ourselves in during meditation. 

These mini meditations are meant to support a daily home practice. Tune in every Monday to find your practice for the week! Full episodes are released every Thursday for a longer, deeper practice.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

Within our meditation practice, there are times when we feel quite deep and internal, and there are times when we feel more ‘on the surface’ and external. This flow from depth to surface and back again is a normal and healthy part of our practice. Mark Nepo refers to this ever-moving flow as “persistent drift”. 

Join me for today’s mini meditation as we honor whatever cycle we may find ourselves in during meditation. 

These mini meditations are meant to support a daily home practice. Tune in every Monday to find your practice for the week! Full episodes are released every Thursday for a longer, deeper practice.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about cycles. Cycles within our own lives, our relationships and within our meditation practice. Have you noticed that your meditation practice ebbs and flows? Sometimes in consistency, yes. But more so, what I mean here is in the times you feel depth, and the times you feel surface. 

The times when you are listening externally, and the times when you are listening internally. 

The times when it feels quiet and restful, and the times of profound insight and inspiration.

These cycles occur innately within our meditation practice. Just as you might find in your relationships, there are times of ease and times of difficulty. Our practice is to learn to both listen and value the cycles we are in rather than rush to “fix” our experience.

Mark Nepo calls this flow from depth to surface and back again “persistent drift”. This drift is both cleansing and feeding for our soul. As we wrap up our exploration of grace this month, I believe it is the letting go into grace that allows us to participate and thrive through the natural drift of our practice and our lives. 

Join me for today’s episode of The Mindful Minute as we discuss and practice this persistent drift within meditation. You can expect a brief talk followed by a 20-minute guided meditation. 

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about cycles. Cycles within our own lives, our relationships and within our meditation practice. Have you noticed that your meditation practice ebbs and flows? Sometimes in consistency, yes. But more so, what I mean here is in the times you feel depth, and the times you feel surface. 

The times when you are listening externally, and the times when you are listening internally. 

The times when it feels quiet and restful, and the times of profound insight and inspiration.

These cycles occur innately within our meditation practice. Just as you might find in your relationships, there are times of ease and times of difficulty. Our practice is to learn to both listen and value the cycles we are in rather than rush to “fix” our experience.

Mark Nepo calls this flow from depth to surface and back again “persistent drift”. This drift is both cleansing and feeding for our soul. As we wrap up our exploration of grace this month, I believe it is the letting go into grace that allows us to participate and thrive through the natural drift of our practice and our lives. 

Join me for today’s episode of The Mindful Minute as we discuss and practice this persistent drift within meditation. You can expect a brief talk followed by a 20-minute guided meditation. 

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

In many meditation teaching traditions, there is an unbroken lineage of teachers. This means that each teacher can trace back to the teacher before her all the way back to the original Guru of the lineage. And, within this unbroken lineage there is a power of transmission. The Guru energy is carried through each teacher in the lineage in its own way and passed through to its students. In essence, this means you have direct contact with Guru energy assuming you study within an unbroken lineage. 

I am a lineage holder in 2 unbroken lineages, and with this, we can call on this unbroken line of teachers to help quicken and deepen the energy of our meditation. Invoking this kind of grace is not placing your power somewhere else. It is actually calling out the power we have concealed inside. 

Join me for today’s mini meditation as we experience for ourselves what the grace of the guru can do to enliven our meditation practices.

These mini meditations are meant to support a daily home practice. Tune in every Monday to find your practice for the week! Full episodes are released every Thursday for a longer, deeper practice.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

In many meditation teaching traditions, there is an unbroken lineage of teachers. This means that each teacher can trace back to the teacher before her all the way back to the original Guru of the lineage. And, within this unbroken lineage there is a power of transmission. The Guru energy is carried through each teacher in the lineage in its own way and passed through to its students. In essence, this means you have direct contact with Guru energy assuming you study within an unbroken lineage. 

I am a lineage holder in 2 unbroken lineages, and with this, we can call on this unbroken line of teachers to help quicken and deepen the energy of our meditation. Invoking this kind of grace is not placing your power somewhere else. It is actually calling out the power we have concealed inside. 

Join me for today’s mini meditation as we experience for ourselves what the grace of the guru can do to enliven our meditation practices.

These mini meditations are meant to support a daily home practice. Tune in every Monday to find your practice for the week! Full episodes are released every Thursday for a longer, deeper practice.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

Today’s episode of The Mindful Minute explores inviting the grace of a “Guru” into your meditation practice. Now, there is a lot of misconception out there about what a Guru is or isn’t so we will explore what this actually means and how it can help your meditation practice. 

A Guru is a teacher who is fully enlightened, realized or awakened and has the capacity to awaken you to your own enlightenment. Not many of us will have the good fortune to study with an in-the-flesh enlightened master. 

In case you weren’t sure… I am NOT an enlightened master ;-)

However, in many meditation teaching traditions, there is an unbroken lineage of teachers. This means that each teacher can trace back to the teacher before her all the way back to the original Guru of the lineage. And, within this unbroken lineage there is a power of transmission. The Guru energy is carried through each teacher in the lineage in its own way and passed through to its students. In essence, this means you have direct contact with Guru energy assuming you study within an unbroken lineage. 

I am a lineage holder in 2 unbroken lineages, and with this, we can call on this unbroken line of teachers to help quicken and deepen the energy of our meditation.

When we ask a Guru to be present in our meditation, we are really asking for their inner awakeness, their lovingkindness to be kindled within us. It is, in essence, connecting us to our own inner teacher. When you study with an external teacher, like myself, my job is to connect you to your own deepest experiences. Your own inner teacher. 

Invoking this kind of grace is not placing your power somewhere else. It is actually calling out the power we have concealed inside. 

Join me for today’s talk and guided meditation as we experience for ourselves what the grace of the guru can do to enliven our meditation practices.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl

Today’s episode of The Mindful Minute explores inviting the grace of a “Guru” into your meditation practice. Now, there is a lot of misconception out there about what a Guru is or isn’t so we will explore what this actually means and how it can help your meditation practice. 

A Guru is a teacher who is fully enlightened, realized or awakened and has the capacity to awaken you to your own enlightenment. Not many of us will have the good fortune to study with an in-the-flesh enlightened master. 

In case you weren’t sure… I am NOT an enlightened master ;-)

However, in many meditation teaching traditions, there is an unbroken lineage of teachers. This means that each teacher can trace back to the teacher before her all the way back to the original Guru of the lineage. And, within this unbroken lineage there is a power of transmission. The Guru energy is carried through each teacher in the lineage in its own way and passed through to its students. In essence, this means you have direct contact with Guru energy assuming you study within an unbroken lineage. 

I am a lineage holder in 2 unbroken lineages, and with this, we can call on this unbroken line of teachers to help quicken and deepen the energy of our meditation.

When we ask a Guru to be present in our meditation, we are really asking for their inner awakeness, their lovingkindness to be kindled within us. It is, in essence, connecting us to our own inner teacher. When you study with an external teacher, like myself, my job is to connect you to your own deepest experiences. Your own inner teacher. 

Invoking this kind of grace is not placing your power somewhere else. It is actually calling out the power we have concealed inside. 

Join me for today’s talk and guided meditation as we experience for ourselves what the grace of the guru can do to enliven our meditation practices.

You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett

**Use code: Mindful5 to get your first class for $5!**

Even better, if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts, screenshot it and send it to [email protected] to get your first live class with me FOR FREE!

***Did you know I have a FREE Meditation Starter Kit on my website merylarnett.com? It is full of my favorite tips, stories and ideas for starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Grab your copy today! --> http://bit.ly/meditationstarterkit ***

Connect with me on Instagram {@merylarnett} to get bonus meditation tips, mini-meditations, and the occasional baby spam: https://www.instagram.com/merylarnett/

#meditatewithmeryl