I found Jeff on the Calm app and became an immediate fan! I got out of meditation for a couple of years, but I'm getting back into it now! I have a lifetime membership of the calm app so I still listen to that. But I really appreciate getting these from you here! I did today's meditation that you just posted and I really liked it, thx!!
Lisa, first of all, welcome to our little cult. :):). Secondly, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the 30 Day Mindfulness for Beginners Jeff has on Calm. It is so full of lessons that reveal themselves in this perfectly layered and nuanced way. Enjoy!!!!!!
I’m so happy to have found this community and these voices! Special thanks to Jeff who has been guiding me out of some anxious days. Please know how grateful I am for your skill, practicality and wisdom.
Jeff can you share your meditation for very upsetting times? My lovely kitten Stinky got sick…he just turned 1 on June 4. The house next door is being demolished so…that’s awful in itself…I thought it was trauma from the noise but it isn’t. He is dehydrated and has a fever and it’s big $$$$ at the emergency vet. Not sure if I believe prayer works but also inviting anyone reading this to pray for my little boy. I also call him Precious, Nanette, and Snuffleupagus as he sniffs everything….quite loudly. He is black….Thanks….I feel as if i am being punished somehow. For being egotistical, or for who knows what. ❤️❤️❤️😬
That sounds rough, Sharon, so sorry. Snuffleupagus sounds adorable, just a little kitten. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery.
Lots of different practises could be supportive at this time - the one I had mentioned in the comment above is called “when everything is fucked,” you can find it in the archive. “more care in the tank” is another good one for that, self compassion. I have a bunch. You can search by topic under “for hard times “ I think that’s the topic grouping.
I did both meditations. When you spoke about asking for help I cried my head off for a bit. My downstairs neighbour is probably concerned but that’s ok. She loves stinky also.
Thank you Jeff. I am now a monthly subscriber. I appreciate you very much.
Oh, Sharon. I'm so sorry. Offering you here some simple awareness that I am thinking of you and your kitten right now in this moment. Wishing for healing for you both.
Thank you Jeff. I pine for a one track mind in these times where technology facilitates exactly the opposite and current events aggravate the number of trains of thought. This meditation is very good medicine.
Wow thank you for putting this into words that I can come back to when I'm feeling unsure about my meditation practice. I am finally finding a stride in my practice and this has also reminded me to just go with it and not take it so seriously ☺️
Wow. What beautiful poetic writing. Humbling simple piercing poignant important. This very much persuades me to sit and find that nothing, which is everything. Thank you
Thanks - I need that this morning! I’m fighting some sort of sickness, and I’m feeling useless and feeling some despair. Your “nothing” affirmation is the antidote I needed.
Surrender is my number one go to for despair. I wrote a post and meditation about how I get through those darkest spots, called “when everything is fucked” - break in case of emergencies.
As I often find, the timing and topic of your meditation is perfect. Thank you, Jeff. I REALLY needed that. And your authenticity always inspires me! 🤗
I love your posts Jeff! I know the word grateful can be overused at times, but I am so incredibly grateful for the way you share your insights with us all. You are magical, and I have so much respect for you, your magical energy and briliant mind! You’ve made such an impact in my life.
“Let the present be a relief.” This simple sentence at the end was a sort of “meditative mic drop” for me, Jeff.
When things feel out of control (too many deadlines, unfinished tasks, unsolved problems piling up, etc.), we can actually choose to sort of Zoom IN. So, like, what I mean is, instead of trying to escape, avoid, or push away the thoughts, and essentially dig our heads into the sand, we can choose to short circuit that increasingly panicky feedback loop by actually getting REALLY focused on the present moment during which all of that noise is actually happening.
There is relief in the act of noticing what is actually happening….sort of disengaging auto-pilot and flying “visual flight rules” for a while. The other shit is still there. But 10 freaking minutes of just doing absolutely NOTHING about it almost seems to make it all seem a little more manageable, doesn’t it.
I had this visual in my mind after you said this Jeff….it was like, that moment of silence and calm when you plunge under the surface of the water in the ocean. This sort of muffled remove….the storm is still raging on the surface…and you are aware of it. But diving deep can bring a moment or two of relief and time to regroup, recompose, etc.
Jeff, you did a meditation long long ago (I forget if it was Mindfulness for Beginners or a Daily Trip) in which you described working on a footpath for your dad in a wooded area where he lives. And the joy that can come from “one-thing-mindedness” in the real world too, outside of meditation. This “one thing” simplicity is 100% exportable to the larger life, and this has been one of the biggest gifts that studying meditation with you has given me. I am finally (at 56 f$*king years old! better late than never) starting to find an almost euphoric zone when I have the awareness to remind myself to zoom in to whatever experience I’m involved with any given moment. It could be a conversation with a colleague, studying a particularly painful (yet somehow still joyful!) area of Irish grammar, or even washing a dish. When my husband was at his sickest last year, and I felt like I had nothing (literally NOTHING) to hold on to, this simple guidance of zooming in to whatever was at hand was nourishing and fortifying.
So, the title of this meditation is actually almost misleading to me. and maybe even catfishing us! :):):). Because for me, the simplicity you teach is actually THE THING that is more freaking powerful and life saving and life affirming than anything. You sneaky bastard.
Love you!
Thank you and everybody for this community.
And LILLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Lounge event the other night was SO SO SO SO much fun and so fulfilling. I felt so connected to you and everybody else who shared in that experience. What a gift. Thank you again for bringing that vision to life. I’m not sure what Jeff would do without you. I’m not sure I’d know what to do without Jeff. If am remembering the transitive property of math properly, that implies that I am not sure what we would do without YOU!. :):)
I found Jeff on the Calm app and became an immediate fan! I got out of meditation for a couple of years, but I'm getting back into it now! I have a lifetime membership of the calm app so I still listen to that. But I really appreciate getting these from you here! I did today's meditation that you just posted and I really liked it, thx!!
Nice Lisa!
Lisa, first of all, welcome to our little cult. :):). Secondly, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the 30 Day Mindfulness for Beginners Jeff has on Calm. It is so full of lessons that reveal themselves in this perfectly layered and nuanced way. Enjoy!!!!!!
I already did that when I first got Calm, and that's when I started stalking him hahaha!
My exact experience! Love the calm I feel listening to Jeff🙏🏽
I’m with you there! The place where I found him and he still makes so much difference to the way I see things 🥰
Exactly what I needed this Sunday morning as I think about what I have to do. Starting with nothing was it. Thank you!
Right?! The simple is powerful
🙌
I’m so happy to have found this community and these voices! Special thanks to Jeff who has been guiding me out of some anxious days. Please know how grateful I am for your skill, practicality and wisdom.
You’re welcome, Jessie, good to have you in the posse!
We are thrilled you’re here, Jessie!
Jeff can you share your meditation for very upsetting times? My lovely kitten Stinky got sick…he just turned 1 on June 4. The house next door is being demolished so…that’s awful in itself…I thought it was trauma from the noise but it isn’t. He is dehydrated and has a fever and it’s big $$$$ at the emergency vet. Not sure if I believe prayer works but also inviting anyone reading this to pray for my little boy. I also call him Precious, Nanette, and Snuffleupagus as he sniffs everything….quite loudly. He is black….Thanks….I feel as if i am being punished somehow. For being egotistical, or for who knows what. ❤️❤️❤️😬
That sounds rough, Sharon, so sorry. Snuffleupagus sounds adorable, just a little kitten. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery.
Lots of different practises could be supportive at this time - the one I had mentioned in the comment above is called “when everything is fucked,” you can find it in the archive. “more care in the tank” is another good one for that, self compassion. I have a bunch. You can search by topic under “for hard times “ I think that’s the topic grouping.
Thank you Jeff. I will try to find…
xox
I did both meditations. When you spoke about asking for help I cried my head off for a bit. My downstairs neighbour is probably concerned but that’s ok. She loves stinky also.
Thank you Jeff. I am now a monthly subscriber. I appreciate you very much.
Oh, Sharon. I'm so sorry. Offering you here some simple awareness that I am thinking of you and your kitten right now in this moment. Wishing for healing for you both.
Thank you Richard…so much. It’s so painful. Wish I could share a photo of him. ❤️
Thank you Jeff. I pine for a one track mind in these times where technology facilitates exactly the opposite and current events aggravate the number of trains of thought. This meditation is very good medicine.
Wow thank you for putting this into words that I can come back to when I'm feeling unsure about my meditation practice. I am finally finding a stride in my practice and this has also reminded me to just go with it and not take it so seriously ☺️
Awesome Teresa, fun to find your stride!
Bird song, ruffling leaves in the breezes - ahhhhh
Perfect timing. Really needed this moment of meditation. Thank you!
Thank you Jeff! I am feeling much more relaxed now 😌 as always of course!
Wow. What beautiful poetic writing. Humbling simple piercing poignant important. This very much persuades me to sit and find that nothing, which is everything. Thank you
❤️
I enjoyed your voice and practice this morning!
Unpalatable!
Yes?!
Just love the name ❤️
Aw thanks!
Thanks - I need that this morning! I’m fighting some sort of sickness, and I’m feeling useless and feeling some despair. Your “nothing” affirmation is the antidote I needed.
Surrender is my number one go to for despair. I wrote a post and meditation about how I get through those darkest spots, called “when everything is fucked” - break in case of emergencies.
Hope you find some relief friend.
As I often find, the timing and topic of your meditation is perfect. Thank you, Jeff. I REALLY needed that. And your authenticity always inspires me! 🤗
You are very welcome Fran
I love your posts Jeff! I know the word grateful can be overused at times, but I am so incredibly grateful for the way you share your insights with us all. You are magical, and I have so much respect for you, your magical energy and briliant mind! You’ve made such an impact in my life.
Thanks, Jennifer, so happy you feel supported. Good to be connected!
Simplicity
“Let the present be a relief.” This simple sentence at the end was a sort of “meditative mic drop” for me, Jeff.
When things feel out of control (too many deadlines, unfinished tasks, unsolved problems piling up, etc.), we can actually choose to sort of Zoom IN. So, like, what I mean is, instead of trying to escape, avoid, or push away the thoughts, and essentially dig our heads into the sand, we can choose to short circuit that increasingly panicky feedback loop by actually getting REALLY focused on the present moment during which all of that noise is actually happening.
There is relief in the act of noticing what is actually happening….sort of disengaging auto-pilot and flying “visual flight rules” for a while. The other shit is still there. But 10 freaking minutes of just doing absolutely NOTHING about it almost seems to make it all seem a little more manageable, doesn’t it.
I had this visual in my mind after you said this Jeff….it was like, that moment of silence and calm when you plunge under the surface of the water in the ocean. This sort of muffled remove….the storm is still raging on the surface…and you are aware of it. But diving deep can bring a moment or two of relief and time to regroup, recompose, etc.
Jeff, you did a meditation long long ago (I forget if it was Mindfulness for Beginners or a Daily Trip) in which you described working on a footpath for your dad in a wooded area where he lives. And the joy that can come from “one-thing-mindedness” in the real world too, outside of meditation. This “one thing” simplicity is 100% exportable to the larger life, and this has been one of the biggest gifts that studying meditation with you has given me. I am finally (at 56 f$*king years old! better late than never) starting to find an almost euphoric zone when I have the awareness to remind myself to zoom in to whatever experience I’m involved with any given moment. It could be a conversation with a colleague, studying a particularly painful (yet somehow still joyful!) area of Irish grammar, or even washing a dish. When my husband was at his sickest last year, and I felt like I had nothing (literally NOTHING) to hold on to, this simple guidance of zooming in to whatever was at hand was nourishing and fortifying.
So, the title of this meditation is actually almost misleading to me. and maybe even catfishing us! :):):). Because for me, the simplicity you teach is actually THE THING that is more freaking powerful and life saving and life affirming than anything. You sneaky bastard.
Love you!
Thank you and everybody for this community.
And LILLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Lounge event the other night was SO SO SO SO much fun and so fulfilling. I felt so connected to you and everybody else who shared in that experience. What a gift. Thank you again for bringing that vision to life. I’m not sure what Jeff would do without you. I’m not sure I’d know what to do without Jeff. If am remembering the transitive property of math properly, that implies that I am not sure what we would do without YOU!. :):)
Lilli is the best!
That sentence—’Let the present be a relief’—really shone out for me too. That kind of magic is why I find Jeff’s guidance instructions so effective.
I know. it just was like, holy cow.....the present, even if the times are tumultuous, (maybe even ESPECIALLY!) is the place to go.....
Many Thanks, Jeff. Merely perfect for today, and the rest of our lives. Be well. 🙏💕