← 10% Happier with Dan Harris

RuPaul

May 12, 2016 37m 3s 17 insights
When he was 28 years old, RuPaul Andre Charles found himself broke and living on his little sister's couch in Los Angeles. "It was a really, really, really dark, dark period for me." That's when RuPaul, now the world's most famous drag queen, started his meditation practice.
Actionable Insights

1. Cultivate Daily Self-Alignment

Start each day by disengaging your ego through prayer and meditation, aligning yourself with a higher consciousness or ‘being’ to remember your inherent worth as a gift to the world. This practice helps to foster self-love.

2. Practice Non-Judgmental Awareness

During meditation, imagine your thoughts as a river flowing by and you are sitting on the bank, observing them without judgment. If you get caught up in a thought, gently bring your awareness back to the observer position, as this is a natural part of the process.

3. Acknowledge & Release Thoughts

When the ‘voice in your head’ or egoic thoughts arise, acknowledge their presence by mentally saying ‘Thanks for sharing,’ but do not act on them. Allow them to exist without engagement, understanding that the voice doesn’t go away, but you don’t have to be controlled by it.

4. Embrace Life’s Duality

Recognize that polar opposites (love/hate, light/dark, joy/pain) coexist simultaneously in life. Acknowledge both sides, but deliberately choose to focus on the positive aspects and live in the light, as this choice brings joy.

5. Prioritize Self-Love

Understand that loving yourself is a fundamental practice, essential for being able to love others. This self-love is cultivated by following your heart and your own inner GPS system, doing what genuinely brings you joy.

6. Seek Beyond the Obvious

If you experience trauma or perceive the world as a ‘hoax’ or ‘illusion,’ become a seeker of deeper understanding. Look for information and experiences that reveal realms beyond what is immediately apparent, as this can lead to profound personal breakthroughs.

7. Don’t Take Life Seriously

Adopt the perspective that life, especially social and cultural constructs, should not be taken too seriously. This mindset grants you the freedom to ‘play with all the colors,’ ignore restrictive rules, and have fun, knowing your true self remains unchanged.

8. Cultivate Kindness Deliberately

Practice kindness as a conscious choice, recognizing it as a high level of consciousness and deliberate optimism. This means choosing to see the beauty, innocence, and source in everyone, even while being aware of life’s darkness.

9. Persevere Through Dark Times

When facing a ‘dark night of the soul’ or difficult periods, persevere and stand strong on a foundation of resilience. Understand that these dark clouds will eventually pass, and your steadfastness will help you overcome them.

10. Embrace All Aspects of Self

Explore all the ‘colors in the rainbow’ within yourself, including aspects of your personality you may not know about. Don’t let fear of others’ opinions restrict your self-expression, as this exploration is a gift and crucial for a full life.

11. Take Breaks for Reconnection

Periodically step away from your work or public life, like an artist stepping away from a canvas, to reconnect with yourself. Use this time to quit unhelpful habits, understand your motivations, and realign with core values like love, music, and laughter.

12. Protect Your Energy

If you are a sensitive person who takes on the energy of others, be very careful about who you allow into your intimate space. Use a persona or boundaries to protect your true, sensitive self from overwhelming external influences.

13. Join a Meditation Group

Consider joining a meditation group to support your practice, as RuPaul attends one five days a week at 6:30 AM.

14. Avoid Traffic if Stressful

If traffic significantly triggers negative emotions or your ‘devil on the shoulder,’ implement a strategy to avoid it as a practical solution to reduce stress.

15. Incorporate Daily Stretching

Integrate daily stretching into your morning routine, especially as you age, to maintain physical well-being.

16. Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the 10% Happier podcast, subscribe, rate it (preferably five stars), and tell friends about it to support the show.

17. Avoid Heels in Soggy Grass

Do not wear high heels in soggy grass, as it is a bad idea and can lead to problems.