Practicing Human
656 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1.1K ratingsPracticing Human is a daily podcast, hosted by Cory Muscara, offering insights and practices into how to live a fulfilling life. Cory pulls on his time living as a Buddhist monk in Burma, his many years as a mindfulness and meditation teacher, and his work in Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Episodes
Rest and Relaxation
March 15, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 6.08 MBTo get the "Deep Rest" program for $100 off, visit: https://corymuscara.com/online-retreat-deep-rest/ If it prompts you for a coupon code, just use: podcast Keep in mind, you may not need to use the coupon code if the checkout page still has the price for $100 off.
Not Feeling Good Enough
March 11, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 5.38 MBIn this episode, we discuss the feeling of not being "good enough" and a simple practice to work with it. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podcast" to +1 (631) 305-2874
Self-Loathing
March 08, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.34 MBSelf-loathing is pervasive in our culture. But it begs the question, who is doing the loathing and who is being loathed? In this episode, we'll take a deep dive into this question to explore how to let go of self-loathing. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298
Don't Open the Flood Gates
March 04, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 6.03 MBIn this episode, we discuss why you do not need to open the flood gates to do healing work (and why you shouldn't). To get the Masterclass on Working with Thoughts, visit: www.corymuscara.com/thoughts
The Moments We Tend to Miss
March 01, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 4.03 MBOne could argue that there are three categories that all of our moments fall into. In this episode, I'll share what those three are and why we often miss one of them in particular. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text message teachings and practices delivered to your phone 📲
Find Your People
February 23, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.63 MBIn this episode, we talk about how to surround yourself with people who care about you, accept you, and celebrate you. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podcast" to +1 (631) 305-2874
Ask For Help
February 22, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.57 MB"You have been the strong one for so long. Now is the time to recognize you are allowed to ask for help. Even for the things you feel like you should be able to handle yourself." -Morgan Harper Nichols If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text message teachings and practices delivered to your phone 📲
An Equation for Expansion
February 17, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.65 MBIn this episode, we discuss a simple equation to think about expansion. To get the Masterclass on growth mindset, visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass
Rising From Failure
February 16, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 8.98 MBIn this episode, we discuss how to relate to failure in a way that empowers us on our growth journey. To join the "Growth Mindset" masterclass, visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass
5 Stages of Change
February 14, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.23 MBWhen we're changing a pattern, be it a way of thinking, speaking, or behaving, the first step is simply becoming aware of what we're doing and when we're doing it. However, even once we have that awareness, we can still get caught be our habitual tendencies. In this episode, we'll discuss the five stages we often go on our path to change, illustrated through a poem by Portia Nelson. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily tex...
Mental Fitness vs Spiritual Fitness
February 11, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 4.91 MBThere are many reasons why people come to a meditation practice, and many ways that we can frame what a meditation is doing. Ultimately, they're doors into a similar room, but in this episode, we'll discuss two perspectives. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text message teachings and practices delivered to your phone 📲
How to Do Anything
February 10, 2022 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.51 MBIn this episode, we discuss the process for meeting and moving through any obstacle so you can get to where you most want to go. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text message teachings and practices delivered to your phone 📲
Relaxed Productivity
February 08, 2022 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.33 MBIn this episode, we'll discuss how to get things done without turning into a ball of stress. To join the Masterclass, visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text message teachings and practices delivered to your phone 📲
Acceptance and Growth
February 07, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.45 MBYou can't exchange your ball of clay, but you can mold the hell out of the one you've been given. In today's episode, we'll talk about meeting yourself in the mirror, accepting and embracing, and from there, growing into your best self. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text message teachings and practices delivered to your phone 📲
Are Your Worst Traits Your Best?
February 04, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 3.3 MBIn this episode, we explore why the things that most frustrate you about yourself (or frustrate others about you) may also be linked to what you and others most appreciate about you. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298
Is it Worth Your Peace?
February 02, 2022 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.74 MBWe have so many small reactions throughout the day take us out of our grounded state. However, many of these reactions are connected to trivial things that, when we really look at them, are not worth our peace. In this episode, we'll discuss how to think through this so you can have more moments of peace throughout your day. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email a...
What If We're Dust?
January 27, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.74 MBIn this episode, we discuss a poem by Li-Young Lee. In the episode, I make a mistake by saying the poem is titled "So, we're dust" when in fact it's titled "To Hold": So we’re dust. In the meantime, my wife and I make the bed. Holding opposite edges of the sheet, we raise it, billowing, then pull it tight, measuring by eye as it falls into alignment between us. We tug, fold, tuck. And if I’m lucky, she’ll remember a recent dream and tell me. One day we’ll lie down and not get up. One day, ...
Concentration
January 26, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.02 MBIn this episode, we discuss concentration--why it's important and how to develop it. Specifically, we focus on the role of continuity of awareness within our meditation practice. To join the Masterclass, visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass
Picking Up The Pieces of Yourself
January 25, 2022 05:00 - 3 minutes - 2.59 MBIn this episode, we'll discuss why sometimes it's important to look back before you can move forward. To join the masterclass, visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass
Why You Can't Let Go
January 21, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 3.17 MBIn this episode, we discuss where most of us go wrong trying to let go. To join the upcoming retreat, visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat
How to Breathe More Fully
January 20, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 9.83 MBIn this episode, I share a poem by Danna Faulds. To join the upcoming retreat, visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat And if you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Living The Questions
January 19, 2022 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.81 MBIn this episode, we will talk about letting go of trying to find answers, and instead, living fully the questions of your life as a path to wholeness, enrichment, and fulfillment. To register for the upcoming retreat, visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Instagram” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Everyone is a Genius
January 17, 2022 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.79 MBIn this episode, we discuss how to connect to your unique genius. To join the retreat, visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
A Science Approach to Goals
January 14, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.82 MBIn this episode, we talk about the counterintuitive, surprising approach to effective goal-setting. To join the upcoming retreat, visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
What You Are Meant to Be
January 13, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 6.04 MBIn this episode, we discuss what it would look like to not struggle to become who you are meant to become. To join the upcoming masterclass, visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass And if you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Working With Thoughts
January 12, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.69 MBIn this episode, I share some thoughts about thoughts, especially the idea that a pure mind comes from pure thoughts. To join the upcoming masterclass on "Working With Thoughts" visit: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass And if you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Is Desire Bad?
January 11, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.42 MBIn this episode, we discuss the difference between "good wanting" and "bad wanting." What are the "wants" that lead to freedom, happiness, and expansion? What are the wants that lead to pain, tension, and separation? We will discuss. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
The Root Of The Problem
January 10, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.99 MBIn this episode, I share the contemporary fable, Upstream Downstream by Donald Arnell. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Thoughts on Anger
January 06, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.99 MBIn this episode, we discuss a short story by Thich Nhat Hanh that helps reframe the experience of anger and how to best work with it. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Every Inhale Requires an Exhale
January 04, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.89 MBIn this episode, we discuss the importance of taking time to metaphorically exhale. To join the masterclass, click here: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
A Simple Technique for Self-Love
January 03, 2022 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.8 MBIn this episode, I share a simple practice for stepping out of your inner turmoil and into a state of love and compassion. To join the upcoming masterclass, click here: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass And if you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Thoughts For the New Year
December 31, 2021 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.4 MBIn this episode, I share some thoughts and perspectives for starting 2022 on the right foot. If you'd like to join the upcoming "New Year's Resolutions" masterclass, click here: www.corymuscara.com/masterclass If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
You Do Not Have to Be Good
December 28, 2021 05:00 - 4 minutes - 2.86 MB"You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home...
Relieve Pain or Be With It?
December 24, 2021 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.1 MBAs humans, it's inevitable that we will encounter pain in our life. Much of this pain is out of our control, but some of it we can influence and soothe. This is true in our meditation practice, as well. When pain arises in meditation--an itch, knee pain, etc--should we alleviate it if we can, or should we practice being with it? Listen on to find out. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Instagram” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings,...
This May Be Missing From Your Meditation
December 23, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 6.06 MBIn today's episode, we discuss when it may not be appropriate to meditate, and also what you might do before you meditate as a way to improve the experience. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
The Power of Deep Concetration
December 22, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.83 MBIn this episode, we discuss how cultivating concentration leads to greater restoration and ease in the mind, body, and soul. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Instagram” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
This Moment Is It
December 21, 2021 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.61 MBLao-Tzu had some great words about how to best practice human, and in this episode, we explore a passage that reminds us of the importance of the moment that we're in. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podcast" to +1 (631) 305-2874
Small Moments of Deep Mindfulness
December 20, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.7 MBIn this episode, we dive into the differences between short bursts of deep mindfulness versus longer periods of weaker mindfulness. Which is better? Listen to find out. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podcast" to +1 (631) 305-2...
How Meditation Extends Life
December 17, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.81 MBCan meditation extend your life? There's a lot to say on how it can increase your lifespan, but nothing that confirms we could double or triple our lifespan. However, there is a different way we can increase life that meditation addresses more directly, and much more immediately. We'll discuss what that is in this episode. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email add...
Surrender
December 16, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.68 MB"You are not ready to accept the fact that you have to give up. A complete and total "surrender"... It is a state of hopelessness which says that there is no way out ... Any movement in any direction, on any dimension, at any level, is taking you away from Yourself..." -U. G. Krishnamurti If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Instagram” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
Feel More Fully
December 15, 2021 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.22 MBSo many of us are walking through life holding incomplete cycles of emotions, experiences we've only partially allowed ourselves to feel and thus still feel burdened by. The only way to release these emotions is to feel them fully. If you’d like more support and guidance, text the word “Podcast” to 1-631-305-2874 to receive free, daily text and audio message teachings, quotes, and insights delivered to your phone 📲
The Paradox of Meditation
December 14, 2021 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.62 MB"[When we meditate], we often think that somehow we’re going to improve, which is a subtle aggression against who we really are...We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That’s what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest." ~ Pema Chod...
Urges and Impulses
December 09, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 6.1 MBIn this episode, we're going to talk about how to mindfully work with urges, impulses, and addictive tendencies. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podcast" to +1 (631) 305-2874
Boredom Is a Gift
December 07, 2021 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.67 MBIn this episode, we discuss the power of boredom to change how we focus, inspire how we pay attention, and spark new creativity. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podcast" to +1 (631) 305-2874
Different Forms of Fear
December 06, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.65 MBIn this episode, we discuss the difference between "safe fear" vs "unsafe fear" and how you can use this to guide your navigation of when to take on pain and discomfort and when to avoid it. As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email address to: +1 (631) 337-8298 And if you'd like to get daily inspirational text messages to your phone from me, just text the word "podc...
What to Do When You're Stuck
December 03, 2021 05:00 - 14 minutes - 9.75 MBHave you ever felt stuck? You don't know what decision to make? Where to go next with your life? Whether to stay in or get out of a relationship? Whether to quit or stay at your job? In this episode, we'll explore the feeling of being stuck, why it's a blessing in disguise, and how to navigate it. Also, if you're interested in the upcoming online retreat, you can register and learn more at: www.corymuscara.com/retreat
Identifying Your Soul's Purpose
December 02, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 8.25 MBIn this episode, I share a simple heuristic for parsing the mind's ideas from your soul's truth. To join the upcoming online retreat, "Meeting Your Purpose," visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat
Meeting Your Purpose
November 30, 2021 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.14 MBIn this episode, we discuss the big topic of "purpose" and the nuances of meeting your purpose. To join the upcoming online retreat, themed "Meeting Your Purpose" visit: www.corymuscara.com/retreat
The Trap of Spiritual Practices
November 26, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.83 MB"Even the most exquisitely designed spiritual methodologies can become traps, leading not to freedom but only to reinforcement, however subtle, of the “I” that wants to be a somebody who has attained or realized freedom (the very same “I” that doesn’t realize there are no Oscars for awakening)." -Robert Augustus Masters As always, if you'd like to get free access to my resource library, including guided meditations, book recommendations, app recommendations, and more, text your email addres...
Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn
November 22, 2021 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.71 MBIn this episode, we discuss the various "defense systems" we have access to when we feeling unsafe and threatened. We look at these through an evolutionary lens, but more specifically, how they show can show up in an unhealthy way in our day-to-day life. Most of us are familiar with the fight, flight, and freeze, but fewer of us are aware of the fourth, fawn. We go into detail about the fawn response and how to bring awareness to these patterns. You can learn more about the fawn response, c...