The Upsides And Downsides Of Living A More Examined Life | Matt Harris

Techniques

Dan Harris and Matt Harris explore various meditation techniques, emphasizing the importance of using the passive voice to remove the self from the experience. Matt finds this approach powerful, as it helps him understand that thoughts and sensations are simply happening without a doer behind them 1. Dan also discusses the concept of 'right effort' in meditation, likening it to tuning a guitar string—not too tight, not too loose. This balance is crucial for effective meditation practice 2.

This move of going from the subject object to the passive voice, as I do, my ego still pipes up and says that our mother, the grammarian, would hate that. But it is so powerful and is a core part of my meditation practice.

--- Matt Harris

   

Starting

Matt shares his personal journey into meditation, starting with just five minutes a day and gradually increasing the duration. He emphasizes the importance of being flexible and finding time for meditation, even in a busy lifestyle with six children 3. Matt often meditates in the evenings or during breaks at work, highlighting the need to adapt the practice to one's life circumstances 4.

I started, and I really highly recommend giving yourself permission to start with five minutes. It makes a big difference.

--- Matt Harris