cover of episode Happiness Break: A Meditation on Becoming A Gift To Life

Happiness Break: A Meditation on Becoming A Gift To Life

2024/8/22
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The Science of Happiness

Shownotes Transcript

Our happiness is interconnected with the well-being of others, both people and the natural world. Step outside of you can, or imagine the outdoors from wherever you are now, and join us for a meditation that’ll help us be better stewards of the natural world.

Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y3yfjsxa)

Episode Summary

A meditation on how we can give back to the earth, led by indigenous activist, artist, and scholar Dr. Lyla June Johnston.

How To Do This Practice

  • Sit and take four deep breaths to honor the four sacred directions.

  • Take a moment to stop, and step outside and see what  life flourishes from. 

  • Take notice of the little things – a bird bath that provides a safe place for the birds to drink and to bathe. 

  • Think about how you can give a small gift to life., Maybe you could plant fruit or nut-bearing trees that could feed you,your neighbors, and the wildlife around you.

  •  Following this meditation, think about ways that you can make this a reality. You could order a bird bath from your local feed store. 

  • Think of the metaphor of the bird bath. A bird bath is a human creation. And it's a gift to birds. It doesn't benefit us at all. It truly is just a gift to a species outside of our own. 

  • Reflect on how this is truly what human beings were born to do – born to be givers, stewards, and caretakers of the earth.

**Guest Host: Dr. Lyla June Johnston **is an indigenous activist, artist, and scholar from the Naaneesht'ezhi Taach'iinii clan of the Diné Nation. 

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