The Labyrinth

Miranda reflects on both the light and dark nature of the ability to adapt, or “shape shift,” into any environment. While the desire to make others happy is not inherently negative, how does it affect one’s relationship with themselves? The “people pleaser” may hold feelings of inadequacy which obstruct a grounded sense of self and sense of where one belongs. In this podcast, Miranda explores her own experience with being a “people pleaser.”

Miranda discusses the concept of appreciative joy. Comparison can erode our joy like nothing else. When we learn to celebrate the bounty of others and rejoice in the plenty that we can share, our ability to connect and feel joy is strengthened. While we feel gratitude for the things we have, we can also find deep peace in appreciating and celebrating the joys that others experience, expanding our own joy rather than cultivating jealousy.

Miranda discusses the concept of widening our thought patterns. Oftentimes, like a diet we were raised on, we become accustomed to certain ways of thinking whether they are healthy or not. Our practice can help us broaden our thinking and teach us more about which thoughts we allow to flourish in our minds.

Miranda discusses the discernment behind taking responsibility for our world with the mentality of “it takes a village” rather than convincing ourselves certain things are not our business. In our practice there is often much consideration about the things we can and cannot control. While our practice often encourages acceptance of what is, there is also a call to ask “is there anything I am meant do about this?” when faced with a difficult situation.

Miranda reflects on a story from a personal retreat of hers which has impacted the way she communicates. Sometimes, we are struck with a primal neediness to speak up and assert righteousness in a way that is not helpful to anyone. But when we become more aware of ourselves and our emotions, we can learn to sit with this sense of neediness and center ourselves in moments of tension.

Miranda discusses self-compassion practice amidst moments of suffering. Oftentimes, we feel the urge to fight against suffering even when we know we cannot change the current situation. But when we welcome compassion into our suffering and simply hold and allow it, we may notice the love that shows up even within this dark space.

Miranda discusses how life and practice are not linear. We sometimes wish there was a more straightforward logic to our lives, but we may find the true testament to our practice is learning to simply allow and accept the events that do not go as desired. When we learn to sit with the ebbing and flowing of life and step into our own humanness, we might make peace with the non-linear nature of life.

Miranda reflects on her sense of belonging. Oftentimes, we find ourselves belonging more to relationships, groups, or the approval of others than we belong to ourselves. When we truly find belonging in ourselves, we become free to listen to our own inner wisdom rather than living for the opinions of others. We open our hearts more widely to learning from everyone around us rather than strictly those we view as superior teachers.

Miranda shares a poignant piece of wisdom which arrived to her recently during a time of deep struggle. Sometimes we tend to cope by telling ourselves a story about our current situation and looking on as if a bystander. Other times, we are graced with the ability to go directly inside our turmoil and simply float in it, rather than fight it. In this podcast, Miranda discusses her experience navigating these emotional reactions.

Miranda discusses the origins of beginnings.  Just as our practice adapts with advancements in our world, it can also adapt with each person, finding a new way in for each individual. Each person’s entrance into practice looks different. There is not one correct way into mindfulness practice or into relationship with ourselves and the present moment.

Miranda discusses her experience with internal obstacles. Like leaves getting caught in a stream, parts of our inner journeys can barricade our experience, building up over time and creating obstructions in our lives. With our practice, we have the ability to work with each “leaf” and remove them gently over time.

Miranda discusses the concept of finding rest within the busy nature of today’s society. There will always be something more to do; our work is never completely finished. Despite this, we often feel a desire to be resolved. But when we can learn to rest amid the ongoing presence of to-do’s, we often find that important, unseen work is being done when we give ourselves this quiet time.

Miranda discusses the elasticity of her work and the idea of finding connection even in situations that might not seem ideal for practice. As human beings we are incredibly adaptable, yet can become stuck in a particular mindset about the way mindfulness should look. This podcast explores the opportunities we are given in each moment to find connection, even in settings that may not “look” like our mental image of practice.

Miranda discusses her experience with "pruning" of the mind during meditation. Just as we can prune a tree, we can prune away unhelpful thought patterns or identities. "Pruning" can be a beautiful exercise of cleaning our inner environment and gently removing the things that are not fruitful for us.

“Most of us need to be reminded that we are good, that we are lovable, that we belong.” -Tara Brach Miranda expresses the incredible resource that is within us to create our own shelter and reach out our own hand to hold. How often do we hear that voice or those stories that tell us we’re not enough? How can you let your practice help you cultivate this inner home space? Though you can’t control the weather you can always be the shelter that you need— the one that offers a quieter place to understand what’s real and what’s imagined. Listen to this podcast now.

Miranda reflects on how important language is. It’s a practice to notice when we’re not present and how in those times we may be careless with our words and the ways we communicate with ourselves and others. When we include mindfulness in our speaking, it can be a really powerful practice to notice the quality of our language as well as its impact. Listen to this podcast >>

Miranda discusses the idea of paradoxes and shares her experience with holding space for both intent and impact. Holding paradoxes is not an easy practice but there’s something in this idea of embrace- that we don’t have to be one or the other. How can you have an embrace so large that you can just let it all be here? It’s about understanding that we can’t sort and separate. It’s just not how it works. Are you willing to hold both and trust in infinite possibilities? Listen to this podcast >>

Miranda shares one of her poems about expectations. Expectations often cause us suffering. It can be so devastating as we cling to the attachment of how we think things should look. Sometimes we need to let go of the life we planned for and embrace the one that shows up. When life doesn’t go as planned, we often feel this sense of betrayal. But is the betrayal true? Listen to this podcast >>

Miranda talks about the power of patience and what proceeds the practice. She contemplates the quote, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom,”— Which essentially sparks the question— how much contemplation is too much contemplation? She encourages us to reflect but also to listen to where we’re being guided to and to ultimately take inspired action. Listen to this podcast >>

Miranda shares the poem: “What I Have Learned So Far” by the beloved Mary Oliver. May her teachings and insights live on. “Be ignited or be gone” Are you acting when you feel called to act? Miranda discusses and invites thought around what you’re doing with what you’re waking up to. Activism can show up in so many different ways. This concept of Meditation as a practice of radical activism is apparent. How can we care about ourselves and others simultaneously? There’s this special place right between giving and receiving that may invite us into action. What does that look like for you? Listen to this podcast >>