EP 384: How to go From a State of Bliss to a Trait of Bliss

Me: ‘Do you have any experience with meditation or mindfulness practices?’ Almost everyone: ‘Yeah, I use the ______ app when I get stressed and it calms me right down.’ Now, of course, there’s nothing wrong with using an app! (Unless you forget your phone, charger, or headphones that day 🤷🏻‍♀️) But what this answer tells me right away is that the person is using meditation as a kinda rescue tool. They’re plugging into the app in a time of stress so they can ‘bliss out’ and calm their nervous system. When I help people develop a daily practice (no battery or headphones needed!), I’m helping them to develop the trait of living in presence and without stress and anxiety. It’s kinda like someone goes and gets a massage every week or so because their muscles are so tense, but instead, you teach this person to do a few easy stretches in the morning. The stretches feel really good, and by doing them every morning, their muscles never get to that state of tension, so they don’t need to get a massage every week. Of course, they can get a massage whenever they want, as a treat. But they never need a massage again. Would you like to learn how to develop the trait of bliss (as opposed to the state of bliss)?