Body scan + political sanity + loving-kindness for the “punchable”

Thanks to everyone who made it to our live session this week. If you missed it, no worries: you can watch (or rewatch) at your own pace. Paid subscribers get the full session; the opening meditation is free for everyone.

We kicked off with a 10-minute body scan meditation. As always, the point isn’t to achieve some special state; it’s to notice whatever’s here, lose the thread (as we all do), and come back. That moment of waking up from distraction is the money moment.

Then we moved into a wide-ranging Q&A. Here’s a peek at what we covered:

• Turning down rage: Seeing others (and ourselves) through the lens of causes and conditions—family history, trauma, incentives—can lower blind rage by half, creating space for clearer, more useful action.

• Newsfeeds & negativity: Why the news machine and social media is designed to hijack your negativity bias—and how to see the bigger picture.

• Political anxiety: A reminder to stay informed without being drowned by the firehose, and how hearing thoughtful voices you disagree with can be surprisingly calming.

• Loving-kindness for difficult people: How to cultivate it and what it really means (hint: not wishing them success in every endeavor, but rather wishing a kind of basic wellbeing that tends to lead to better behavior).

And, as always, we got some great comments in the chat. Here’s a selection:

On the helpfulness of structure and community:

• “I am like a dog. I need structure. I like this every week at the same time woof woof.” — Glenn

• “The regular weekly connection is huge. Thank you.” — Susan

• “3rd time doing this virtual meditation with the group and you do feel something sharing the experience—even if virtual! Thanks Dan and team.” — Liz

• “This is great. I’m writing grant proposals (a very stressful and lonely process), and this weekly appointment is really helpful. Thank you all!” — MJ

Sending loving-kindness to the “punchable”:

• “Everyone I ever met, no matter how punchable, seemed to be doing the best they could with the knowledge and psyche they were working with. Usually takes a bit of huffing and puffing till I see it though.” — Julia

• “As a reminder, you can always pick another difficult person, like that mean Vice Principal from high school.” — Allan

Staying sane with news and politics:

• “Sebene Selassie’s recipe of ‘NO NEWS BEFORE NOON’ really works for me!” — Marion

• “Mr. Rogers’ quote: ‘When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’’” — Luanne

• “I think the soothing quality comes from seeing the humanity of the people with whom you disagree…” — Desirae

Thanks again to everyone who joined live. I’ll be back next Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. ET for another live meditation and Q&A.

One last thing: Our ad partner, BetterHelp, helps make this newsletter and podcast possible. They’re inviting folks to write anonymous thank-you notes to their therapists. If you want to share one, you can do that here. I’ll read a few in a future BetterHelp ad (names will not be shared).

IPMF,
Dan xx

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