Are there ways we can better prepare ourselves to live with peace of mind in a world that contains divisiveness? In this episode, Richard speaks briefly of three useful habits that strengthen and protect our higher values.

When we think divisively, we usually experience some degree of anger, outrage, worry, fear, or upset. None of these feel great. This episode shows how we can change our state by turning our focus from us/them thinking, with its associated unpleasant emotions, to the elevated and happier feelings of open heartedness. These elevated feelings — curiosity, wonder, compassion, calmness, warmth, contentment, inspiration, gratitude, care, love, kindness, and respect — are available to every one of us. And there is a single key to all of them! The episode is excerpted from Dr. Richard Gillett’s #1 bestselling book: It’s a Freakin’ Mess: How to Thrive in Divisive Times.

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Do we choose our thoughts and feelings, or do they seem to arise spontaneously, beyond our control? How much do we actively determine what we focus our minds on, or how much do we passively allow our focus to be selected for us by the haphazardly accrued habits of our mind, by the polarizations of the media, and by the words and actions of others? This episode shows how we can gain greater command of both our thoughts and our feelings — and, therefore, how we can dwell in more creative thoughts and more pleasant feelings! The episode is excerpted from Dr. Richard Gillett’s #1 bestselling book: It’s a Freakin’ Mess: How to Thrive in Divisive Times.

ItsAFreakinMess.com

What is the relationship between meditation and polarized partisanship? None. And that’s the point. Meditation bypasses the us-vs-them pathways of anger and fear. In this episode, Richard interviews Professor Marjorie Woollacott, author of the multiple award winning book, Infinite Awareness, and author of over 180 peer-reviewed research articles. Marjorie has been a neuroscience professor for more than three decades and she has been a meditator for almost four decades. In this fascinating conversation, Richard and Marjorie explore the powerful effects of meditation — how meditation affects our minds, bodies, feelings and spirit. How it even changes the structure of our brains!

Many things happen which we have no choice over. If a change we want involves anyone else at all, we have no definitive control over whether that change will ever occur, since other people also have choices! And yet, what we do have control over determines our happiness. This episode shows the richness of the choices we have — the powers we have over what we think, feel, say, and do — and how, when we align these four arenas of power with our full-hearted intention, we increase our potential for both happiness and effectiveness. The episode is excerpted from Dr. Richard Gillett’s #1 bestselling book: It’s a Freakin’ Mess: How to Thrive in Divisive Times.

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How can you mend broken bridges between yourself and others after you’ve argued heatedly — or distanced yourself coldly — over differing political affiliations? So many family relationships and friendships have been fractured by the political divisiveness that has been sold to us by politicians and the media. This episode is a practical guide on how to navigate strong differences of opinion at work, with neighbors, with friends and family, and after an argument with anyone!

For more about Richard's book, see ItsAFreakinMess.com.

Prejudice creates unhappiness not only in those we are prejudiced against, but also in ourselves. We are never at peace when we carry enmity! So, if prejudice makes both sides unhappier, why on earth do human beings do it? This episode shows why prejudice occurs, and how different prejudices proceed through the same basic five steps. The good news about this is that overcoming prejudice can be easily done simply by transmuting the first of these five steps. How to do this is detailed in a powerful exercise which not only transcends prejudice but makes us feel more at peace and more content!

For more about Richard's book, see ItsAFreakinMess.com.

How do we get ourselves out of a hyper-partisan mess that polarizes our country? In this episode, Richard interviews Mark Gerzon, experienced mediator between Republican and Democratic Members of Congress, the President of Mediators Foundation — which is dedicated to bridging social and political divides — and the author of the renowned book, THE REUNITED STATES OF AMERICA. In this fascinating and moving conversation, Richard and Mark explore the value of curiosity in transcending political hyper-partisanship and in fostering respect, kindness, and truth.

If you're interested in Richard's book, see ItsAFreakinMess.com.