Goldie Hawn has a organization which brings meditation instruction into schools. They've been doing this for years and should get much more attention than it does!
bullshido :) If you do something, either do it well or not at all meditation must be correct if it is to be meditation and be beneficial cultivating illusions and mistakes in practice are worse than not meditating
Lovely interview. What a gentle and kind person :) I am an aphant, so I have zero internal visualization...this really gave me confidence that it's fine to meditate and not see any dramatic things, that there's still a benefit.
Well, you are kind of wrong. You always had inside you peace and silence and stillness and that beautiful state of emptyness and happiness. But we are taught from a small age that everything worth having is somewhere there, outside. Nothing more untrue. Everything you need is already within you, inside you and all you have to do is to find it.
I'm 42 and have done absolutely nothing with my life....addicted to drugs and in and out of jails and prisons and rehabs....am now trying to get my life back and it's honestly the hardest thing Ive ever done....I have been trying to learn meditation but am not having any luck with it so I don't know what I'm doing wrong but something has got to give because I can't take much more !
One of the things that I like most about Next Level Soul Podcast is that Alex is great at allowing his guests to teach without constantly sharing his knowledge, but, rather, allows the expert guest to talk without constantly interjecting and actually breaking the flow of the guests' information. This is one of my favorite podcasts because of the lack of narcissism.
There's another great podcast I recently discovered for the same reason. Smart, calm & VERY useful. He meditates too. He interviews ALL kinds of people having anything to do with personal mental health, meditation, the pursuit of a better inner life, etc. - "10% Happier'. Now this one makes 2! I only recently got into podcasts.
Thank you Alex for bringing Monk Gelong Thubten onto your programme! I love listening to him as he has such a peaceful and tranquil demeanor about him. Thank you Monk Gelong 💖
Alex, thank you this has helped me to accept and learn to meditate. I have always been feeling frustrated because I didn't experience a high feeling after my meditation. Which discourages me from meditating because I thought I was doing it wrong. Thank you for bringing such a good teacher.
I am in my 60s,having spent 30 years of very bad health,I always thought what's the point of meditation I'm so wrecked. With pain I can't do it,so the past ,10 years I've tried and tried to meditate nothing,tried again nothing, Now listening to this wonderful monk I am going to keep at it,I have always been a very spiritual person,the belief I agreed to this life before I was born,is the only reason I am alive today,probably 10 years of my 66 have been happy,so now I want to finish my life to be able to feel the glory of meditation and grow to be where I am meant to be, I have watched your show 3 times and each time you have had wonderful guests and I truly believe that you are a very spiritual man with no pretence as a number of others on you tube, You ask the questions o would ask if I were speaking to your guests,so thank you,🙏🌈
Alex, I wanted to reach out and express how much your NED Podcast has inspired me. Your thoughtful discussions and captivating stories about near-death experiences have truly left a lasting impact. It's evident that you put a lot of effort into creating content that is both enlightening and thought-provoking. I appreciate the way you bring forth different perspectives and dive deep into this fascinating subject. Your podcast has been a source of inspiration and a reminder of the profound mysteries that exist beyond our everyday experiences. Thank you for sharing such valuable content. I'm eagerly looking forward to future episodes and will continue to support and follow your work. Keep up the great job, and know that your efforts are making a difference in the lives of your listeners
Alex, I suspect you are entering into samadhi in those long 'disappearances' you are speaking about. Perhaps you would benefit from also chatting to either a Hindu meditation teacher as they go more into what those states mean/are classified as. Either that or perhaps the Burmese vipassana teachers who also very carefully identify different stages of Jhana (classified meditation states) Good luck!
This video provided the most helpful, insightful and down to earth answers I've heard on how to mediate! I am so grateful to Monk Gelong Thubten for his openness regarding his struggles with meditation. I can relate to all of them and thank you Alex for your excellent questions!
I absolutely just love your show and it is definitely something I need in my life right now. I am a recovering addict and just celebrated one year clean. I am working a 12 step program, which has absolutely saved my life, and I am developing my own understanding of what a higher power looks like for me. Your show and all of your amazing guests have really opened my mind up to something bigger than me, and for that I am so grateful. Keep up the amazing work.❤
This just may be the show that pushes me to try meditating. I have resisted it for exactly the reasons that were discussed here. My mind is always working and I feel like I would do it wrong or fail at it. Blessings to you both!
Do others here run into the problem of falling asleep when trying to meditate?? I gave up on trying because I would always fall asleep within minutes of trying.
Such a beautiful soul ☺️🤗💕💖💜💝Thank you so much for your teaching! 🙏🏾 I Love you! Thanks Alex for bringing this beautiful Monk in. The world needs to hear this and humans really need to meditate more. 🧘🏽♀️🧘🏾♂️🧘🏽♀️🧘🏾♂️🧘🏽♀️🧘🏾♂️
Great message. Loved the “giving the monkey something to eat” analogy. Funny how I have the same idea about leaving this physical plane while seating at my porch looking at the mountains in a meditative state. Thank you Alex for your constant effort to offering meaningful interviews. Keep up the great work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 PS: you mentioned rewiring ourselves and I thought it would be great if you could invite Dr. Joe Dispenza to talk about it. Thank you once again 😊🙏🏼
Thank you, Monk Gelong Thubten. I like that he gave such a humble and relatable explanation of what meditation is. A lot of people talk about meditation as though it's a competitive sport. 'I sit for this long' and 'I reach this state' which can make others feel they are failing if they are unable to do that.
Thank you! I was meditating twice a day using TM. This has led to visions, messages in meditation and outside, experiences, telepathy, mediumship to name a few gifts. At 71 I feel blessed but some things I see or get messages for are heavy. You’ve given me a different perspective on meditating. Again thank you and namaste 🙏
When I first starting meditating, and now if I meditate regularly, I also have the experiences you're talking about. I didn't know it could happen and wasn't looking for it 💖
THANK YOU! ❤ I feel prepared to re-commit to daily meditation now. This conversation was such a reset; it’s an invitation to approach meditation from a different perspective.
Great interview! More meditators, please. I was surprised to hear Gelong say he didn't have any profound experiences while meditating, I'm a newbie meditator and I've had a few "Whoa! Was that real??" Not exactly profound, but interesting experiences.
I have a question for a person that is born male and feels like they are female, do you think there soul is one or the other that is confused by the 3rd dimension and for those people because i know someone who struggles with this do yiu think channeling or talking with your inner soul would help them with that internal fight id like to ask that women you had on with the long silver hair the channeler.
Excellent interview about meditation. How to approach it; Reasons to do it; creating a more loving mind; stop judging how "good" you are at it. Wonderful insight!
How come his hair didn't grow back no pun or joke intended. When I was activated my wisdom tooth grew back. My hair grows none stop always. When you activate you can heal your entire body. I had tendentious in both wrists carpal tunnel and both elbows. A pinched nerve in the right side of my neck my veins in my hands and feet both were overlapping. My neck was inflamed and swollen and the pain went back and forth left to right like an alternating current. Dr said I had arthritis on the left side. As soon as I forgave myself for all the things I did wrong in Gods eyes I felt this wave of energy start to pulsate throughout my body and my neck released and I was able to turn to the left and then the right.
This was super. You asked all the right questions coming from what you went through and expected and Gelong was the epitome of where one wants to be. He smiles a lot. So inviting. So welcoming and not always a trait of other meditative teachers. Yes very very helpful Alex it changed my whole approach and understanding of meditation. Thank you my friend. Your signature phase that is s0000000 endearing. You are a guiding light. And you smile a lot too and it just feels so safe and fun. So much love. 👍💕👍💕👍💕👍💕💥🔥🌻❤❤🤟💦
Wow! Thanks Alex! I do love all your work, but this one really brought some new insights, even after all those years practicing already. I think this is one of the most valuable episode you created so far that can reach many people. Blessings and keep up this beautiful work that you deliver. Our world really needs to hear things like this 🙏😉
Thank you for this awesome interview and on my favorite subject meditation. I've been trying to meditate and it is a learning process for someone who can't sit still for even 2 minutes... LOL. This man went through a lot to teach and share his knowledge in such a simple way. I love it! Thank you so much for the work you do.
Love your humor Alex !!! 😅 Thank you for all you do. This is an amazing interview for me. I REALLY NEEDED THIS. I'm so impressed with Monk Thubten !!! So down to earth and understandable. This is so helpful. Thank you to both of you. 💥💕💕💕💥
I one time heard someone mention to treat meditation like a Sunset. Not trying to repeat the same experience with meditation, but instead enjoying and receiving what that meditation brings you in that moment. Like a Sunset. Always different but beautiful in it's own unique way each day. I highly recommend meditation to everyone. It has incredible Healing capabilities when you start to observe and clear out energy you didn't even know you were carrying.
I'm halfway through the video. I must say he really gives me encouragement to resume meditating. I always figured what's the point if I spend most of my time with thoughts going through my mind. I really felt as if I was failing at the task lol. His perspective makes sense to me and it's amazing to me that he still continues and advocates for meditation even though he's never had any experience out of the ordinary while in meditation.
Amazing interview! I loved every moment, and it was so inspiring and thought-provoking. Thank you, Gelong, for sharing your experience and Alex for creating the best podcast on YT. 💗💗💗💗🙏🙏🙏🙏
Bravo! Many thanks! This is SO USEFUL. I'm forwarding this to my psychotherapy clients who struggle so with suffering and find it hard to meditate. This is such a quintessential description of the purpose of meditation and it's nature. So kind, so inclusive. I'm personally grateful too as I this makes me better able to return more strongly to mindfulness. 💛💙
WHEN WE DIDN'T FEEL GOOD OR FEEL SICK, THAT'S WHEN MEDITATION IS MORE NECESSARY...BEC IT HELPS US-THE BODY & MIND TO HEAL BY CONNECTING US TO OUR HIGHER SELF🌠 -IF WE ALLOW IT OF COURSE.🙏🏽🕉️☮️💟☯️🙏🏽
From the day, I ran a crossed Bouchard on this show and it’s been maybe a year now, but my life, my emotions my reactions to life and situations has completely changed to be from a hardened combat veteran to being open to anything and loving anybody in my life without judgment it’s a blessing!
This is an incredibly practical discussion. I sat listening, nodding continuously. I have struggled with meditation for ALL of the reasons described. One time, when I went for an acupuncture treatment, I found the presence of pins all over my body to be an excellent incentive to remain motionless and chose to meditate for the full hour. Following this I experienced the oft-described bliss, which lasted an hour or so. I don’t think I can describe how wonderful it felt to be so relaxed and calmly joyful and self-satisfied with absolutely no external inputs. Now if I could just make a practice out of this. That’s the really hard part, at least for me. This really directs me to start practicing again.
Such a nice, down-to-earth explanation of meditation 😌 No need for fireworks, just being with yourself. Nothing else. ❤ I always meditate when I'm at the dentist's chair 😄
I love this monk, so humble and honest! His sharing about meditation and challenges comes from his good , loving heart to help those who want to join the field or continue the journey!!👍🤗❤️🌞🙏
I am so happy I tuned in to this episode! I have always had a hunger for meditation but, always found myself not being able to hold the focus! This is so educational and hopefully I will be able to do it now💕
Why he said death is the most terrifying thing? or maybe i just misheard 🤔, i mean a true spiritual meditative person wouldn't have said so about death as death is just a part of life, it's a state of changing consciousness.
Thank you, but the "higher self" was not really mentioned here. However, 1 thing I can add, as a Psychotherapist with my patients, who have no idea how to meditate, I recommend, and teach them to start with a powerful breath work, that will "blow their monkey brain" away in 30 seconds to a minute and centers them, and then ease them in a meditative mode through smooth natural breathing and focus on their body, then allowing the attention to move beyond. The plan would be to hold this state for 5 minutes (then we extend the time to 15 min to 30 min), It has worked almost all the time. I do not only "preach", but do this myself, almost daily with average of 40min to an hour, and have seem much benefit from it, as you may have experienced yourself.
I tend to hold a lot of tension in my core area & practically stop breathing when I'm stressed. When I decided to stop smoking, I was plagued with cravings & obsessive thoughts & couldn't even begin to think about meditating. One day, & I don't know why, just like Forrest Gump, I took off running as fast as I could until I became so short of breath, I had to stop to catch my breath. When I recovered, I noticed my core was relaxed & even my lungs felt "relaxed". It not only relieved the cravings, but my obsessive thoughts too! It has been a very useful discovery. Thanks for describing your process.
I really have to disagree on the tendency towards unhappiness. 48:58. Look at the kids. As kids we don't come in with a tendency towards unhappiness. Toddler experiencing rain, or whatever... U get the pic... Then comes a socializing process and at the end of that, many, still not all, are unhappy. Ok. But then look at some tribes which adults which are still giggling a LOT despite peer group pressure... I disagree with that concept of "tendency towards unhappiness" I think that is way too simplified.
I am 87 years old, arthritic, etc, and cannot use the lotus position to meditate. Should I just make myself comfortable in any position such as lying down even? I know I have the capacity for helping myself therefore others, and want to get the most out of meditation that I can.
Because of health issues, I'm not always able to sit in lotus position either. When that's the case, I generally opt to sit on a very comfortable chair where I can relax enough that I'm not going to be super focused on pain in the body, but upright enough so that I don't doze off during meditation. If I must lie down, then I do, but I also have to accept that I may just fall asleep😊 I do a variety of my own quiet meditations, sometimes completely silent, sometimes with headphones on playing white noise like rain/ocean/babbling brooks or listening to binaural beats and isochronic tones...all of these sounds are in abundance on RU-vid. And I often use a sleep mask (unless I'm outside in nature) to shut off all distractions. I'm sorry that was so long. Hopefully something in it is helpful to you🙏🏻💫❤️
Not necessary to be in lotus position. Any position which comfortable will do. There are people who meditate while walking. Of course Lotus position has its advantage by sitting in that position even without meditating it help the energy to move up. That's the whole of meditating.
I’ve never been able to sit and meditate as I’m ADD so have a chattery brain. But…I’ve always had a love of gardening, painting, embroidery etc and I learned recently that that is a form of meditation. I’ve been doing it for decades and didn’t know it. It’s a place my mind quietens and I zone out. ✨😁
So it might just be me but the gist of all this meditation is to become self aware, realize your God self. Least with the Self Realization with Paramahansa Yogananda it is about self realization and so when you meditate you are cutting yourself off from the outside world and just being one with yourself. So even with all the mind chatter, wouldn't that be proper meditation anyway as you are conversing with your thoughts, your inner self with out the outside world to distract you from your inner world? I never got in to meditation in expectation of incredible mind blowing experiences or Samadhi or even enlightenment. I was just looking for peace, deep healing peace. As I noticed when I sat silently by myself lost in my peace and imaginations of wonderful things and or focusing on the Divine presence I achieved healing peace and a transformed life. My life was just a horrendous daily experience of being emotionally shredded by everyone around me. The church I went to practiced like 10 minutes of mediation or silence if you want to call it that, same thing and I noticed it was in those moments I found peace. I was only ever after peace and over a period of a year practicing Hong Sau all that other stuff became the side effect. It wasn't the destination I was looking for but over time it took me there anyway. You don't notice it at first or may not notice it until you look back after a year or so, but with the meditation (even with all the inner chatter) your life slowly begins to change and you begin to change and you begin to see with a different mind and awareness. It is so subtle you don't even realize it. Kind of funny how it happens. Some people may be looking for all this miraculous stuff to happen and yet it is, their right in the middle of it and they don't notice until way later. This monk say's nothing has happened to him yet and YET, it did, his life was completely changed for the better. He changed his level of awareness, his frequency in to a higher state of being for himself and others. I don't know, maybe keeping a daily journal of your life after you start meditation for a year or two and then go back and see how things have changed for you, how different things are, what better things subtly came to you in your life you never noticed might have been an incredible manifestation for you? Listening to Gelong Thubten makes me realize even during moments I didn't think I was meditating I was in addition to the moments I was consciously meditating. What's that saying, "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all things will be added unto you"? I think it's all about seeking the holy kingdom with in ourselves, finding/realizing the God-self that we are and meditation is the short cut to finding it. Thanks Alex, for helping us find our way back to the light again when we get lost in the Maya.
I'm sure this will help a lot of people that's been trying to meditate. I also hope others will realize too that there's different ways to meditate besides the breathing method or the almost impossible clear your mind. Especially clear your mind! I find it visual, loving, some things curious and very relaxing afterwards, thinking it was for ten minutes or so and realize it's been an hour. Love it! Thanks for what you're doing for so many.
TY for this podcast. I found it very helpful as I am a beginner meditator and was feeling some of those same things. It is good to know there really isn’t a wrong way to get started. ❤
There are some days no matter how long I try I always seem to feed the monkey but there are other days where I do feel im in a much more focused state where I do find that inner calm, but more practice is definitely needed ❤🌟🧘♂️
to all who read this, and all who don't...sending you infinite peace, perfect health, abundant wealth, joyous freedom, and unconditional love... 🙏🏽💚💚💚💚💚🙌🏽
I can relate easily with him. I've experienced depression, alcoholism, anxiety, and add 24x7 chronic pain. The pain also connected to how much I beat myself up often. Do I know how to meditate, yes and Reiki and Qi gong and yoga as tools along with medications for both. What is wrong with this picture? I can't remember the last time I felt "good" was a thought this morning. I'm 63 and so very tired of trying, the more pain the more pain. Will I keep trying? of course, options are limited including suicide. Didn't come this far for this or that.
This was so incredibly helpful that l have shared it all over and talked directly about my meditation experience always feel l am a failure.Thank you both of you.Loved the flow of the conversation
Alex. I got where you were going when you where talking about losing yourself on time. That moment you described it’s what its called. SAMADY. Yes, it happens to me too. Not always but when it happens you can see the difference in the Loading during the day. That moments it’s difficult to splaying with words. But also you can notice the happy sensation of cognition and fulfillment during the day. You got it✨✨✨✨💫
Yes! Thank you so very much Alex. For following your prompting and helping so many of us connect with whatever clicks in this moment….leading into the next…and the next…and the now. Bless you Beautiful 🙏🏽💖🌈
I do not like the chanting and rituals of religions。 I just like the quiet commune with the Higher Power, in my heart. While, I do enjoy the ceremonies, pagentry, etc of major religions, personally, I always retreat into my innerself, talk to the Higher Being (or God).
This explains more to me than anything I've heard or read. Thank you for having this wonderful guest on. I thought I was a lost cause as far as meditation goes. ✨
Getting lost i find is the best part!!.. i go places far away from what the guided meditation is even about , i take off.. its amazing beautiful the things i see.. so amazing.. practice makes perfect.. ❤
I'm going to suggest that you stop laughing at your own jokes. I do not say this to be mean, truly! It projects a level of discomfort and insecurity that takes away from what I think you want to really want to be projecting. It's a distraction for me when I notice you do this. I'm probably not explaining it correctly, but I see you not comfortable in your own skin. I love your videos and rge guests you have on. This is only a constructive criticism. All my love to you.
Thank you so much Alex and Monk Gelong Thubten for this very helpful episode. I had done sporadic, shorter meditation sessions for a couple years already when i finally started a daily, deep meditation practice about 2.5 yrs ago. I started this practice purely for my health and wellbeing as i was agnostic. Not long after starting this, i began to have some very incredible experiences in meditation that my logical brain just couldnt compute. I couldnt possibly explain any of what was happening based on the material realm i presumed i lived in. These intense, increidble experiences happened on and off for almost two years, but lately, despite me doing a 180° and becoming very spiritually minded after these experiences started happening, my meditations although not awful or anything, are not like they used to be and I've been feeling down about that and wondering what there is to learn in all this. This episode helped me look at it from a different perspective, so thank you both.🙏🏻💫❤️
I really love your show. I love the lightness of the interview. I sometimes put the screen in full screen and momentarily imagine that I'm at a party and spending some serious time listening to some really cool and interesting person that is in front of me. I am so glad to meet and know more about your higher conscious interesting guests. It's so nice to know that people like you and them are really out there on this current timeline somewhere in this world and changing it.
Alex, excellent choice to have Monk Gelong on your show was an excellent choice. I love that we can see him as a‘regular’ person. I was raised that they are too busy meditating, or in prayer for that. As a person who just began meditation I took many notes in my spiritual notebook 📓! The insight I received is priceless! God bless You both for sharing with all of us 🙏🙏✌🏻✌🏻😃😃🥰🥰🤗🤗🌈🌈
I used to do it regularly for several years from 21 y.o. BTW I do not belong to any religion group but I have no problem with any religion too. It was one night on 28 y.o something amazing happened while I were deep in meditating after 3 hours. All I could only feel is just my breathing and nothing else. My breathing so was shallow and slow. I could see a spot light coming and going then suddenly it exploded and light up inside my head. I wasn't afraid at all because I knew can just open eyes and everything come back to normal. A few weeks later until present day I discovered by taking a few breaths I can feel energy surge to my head and stay there as long as I hold my breath. I always do that when I had a headache. At least it I worked for me. I am in my late 60 now still manage to have a full head of hair though some already turn grey.
That's really helpful advice to meditate no matter how we feel. And it makes sense that it's good preparation for death, and probably helps us deal with other things we fear. I enjoyed this interview!
Alex I have learned so much from you and your guests. Your podcast has helped me have better understanding my spiritual path and my human nature. I look forward to your podcasts and what knowledge and new understanding that I will gain.
Thank you so much for this interview! I have always pressured myself to have some outcome to my meditations. I feel so relieved and encouraged by learning otherwise. ❤
This particular podcast has helped me so much in my thinking of meditation. Alex, your podcasts are my new and wonderful go to thing for a rich uplifting and learning. I do believe, without a doubt, that you are channeling the questions you ask. Also, your empathic way of gently guiding the guest to stay within what we as listeners will be able to digest is amazing.
LOVED this! So many good, helpful ideas! I work in hospice, & I have had the honor to be present with two people who were able to use meditation to calm their breathing in the latter stages, even to the moment of death. It was so peaceful not only for them, but for their family too. I really discovered meditation (or the beginning of it) when I started doing yoga. I counted from 1-30 while holding a position & concentrating on "feeling the stretch" in certain parts of my body & using controlled breathing. I really had no intrusive thoughts while performing yoga. A few weeks later, I noticed how much less active my monkey mind became. However, I have had difficulty doing "regular meditation" as described here, so I'm going to try again with the great tips given here today. Thank you both for this great show.
After listening to this I had a good feeling every time I came back to the mantra in my meditation rather than frustrating judgement. Great way to approach the wandering mind! Give your mind freedom.
