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Tal Rabinowitz, Forgoing Hollywood and Finding Meditation

Oct 24, 2018 56m 16s 27 insights
Tal Rabinowitz was a top executive at NBC, developing some of the network's high profile comedy programs, but after nearly 20 years in the business she was let go. And then, SHE let go. Rabinowitz found herself burned out and ready to take her career in a new direction. She tells Dan how and why she decided to open up her own meditation studio, what her meditation practice looks like and how she's introducing meditation to her two-year-old daughter.
Actionable Insights

1. Start Meditation with One Minute

To avoid stress from scheduling meditation, aim for just one minute of meditation most days (“daily-ish”). This makes the practice eminently doable and prevents the ego from declaring you a “failed meditator” if you miss a day.

2. Meditate for Self-Knowledge & Acceptance

Engage in meditation to truly know yourself, for good or bad, and to accept and love who you are, as this self-awareness will significantly ease your navigation through life.

3. Meditate for Clarity on Struggles

When facing an internal struggle or question, state it at the beginning of your meditation; often, clarity on your next steps will become apparent by the end of the session.

4. Observe Ego, Differentiate True Self

When facing difficult situations, observe your emotional reactions and distinguish between your ego’s response and your true self’s knowing, which can accelerate emotional healing.

5. Meditation: Maintenance, Not Just Fix

Recognize that meditation is crucial for ongoing mental and emotional maintenance, not merely a quick fix for problems; commit to consistent practice even when you’re feeling good.

6. Advance Practice with Teacher & Group

To advance your meditation practice, consider finding a teacher for personalized guidance and joining a group (Sangha) for community support, which can “speed your progress.”

7. Enhance Self, Reduce Negative Reactions

Engage in meditation to enhance your inherent positive qualities and gain a clearer sense of self, which helps you navigate life and avoid reacting like an “a**hole.”

8. Use Meditation During Crises

When experiencing major life crises or identity shifts, utilize meditation as a tool for support and salvation to help you navigate through challenging times.

9. Embrace All Self Aspects

Acknowledge and embrace all parts of yourself, including those you perceive as “ugly,” as this acceptance is a crucial, though sometimes scary, step in personal growth.

10. Clarify Life’s Mission with Meditation

Meditate to gain clarity on your personal mission in life, understanding that it can be as simple as nurturing a relationship or as grand as leading a company for a greater good, rather than conforming to external expectations.

11. Align Actions with True Self

Recognize that spiritual practices can align you with your true self, potentially leading to better outcomes in all areas of life, including financial success, as you pursue goals for the right reasons.

12. Prioritize & Schedule Well-being

If you’re busy, prioritize your well-being by consciously deciding what works for you and splitting up practices across different days (e.g., meditation one day, physical exercise another).

13. Integrate Meditation into Daily Life

Incorporate meditation into existing daily routines or quiet moments, like while showering or during a child’s nap, to make practice more feasible amidst a busy schedule.

14. Customize Your Meditation Practice

Don’t be afraid to mix different meditation techniques, like TM with gratitude practice, and adapt your approach based on what you need for the day, allowing your practice to evolve with you.

15. Use Centers for Regular Practice

If you have a busy life, consider attending a meditation center to learn, make your practice regular, and be held accountable, similar to how some people need a gym or trainer for exercise.

16. Explore Diverse Meditation Styles

Take advantage of opportunities to learn from different meditation teachers and explore various styles to gain diverse insights and find the approach that works best for your personal practice.

17. Deepen Practice with Retreats/Workshops

To expand your meditation practice beyond beginner 30-minute sessions, consider participating in longer workshops, two-hour sits, or multi-day retreats offered by centers.

18. Seek Inclusive Meditation Spaces

Look for meditation centers that welcome all types of people, regardless of lifestyle or beliefs, to ensure you feel comfortable and that inner calmness is accessible to you.

19. Learn from Lapses in Practice

If you stop meditating, pay attention to the negative changes that occur, such as an “obnoxious inner narrator,” as this awareness can be a useful reminder of the practice’s value.

20. Help Children Identify Emotions

When a child experiences strong emotions, allow them to express it, then help them identify and name the feeling (e.g., “Are you frustrated?”), acknowledging its difficulty without immediately trying to stop or correct their behavior.

21. Allow Children Natural Consequences

Avoid over-coddling children; instead, allow them to experience natural consequences like falling, getting hurt, or hearing “no,” as these experiences are vital for building resilience and understanding life.

22. Don’t Define Self by Job

Do not define your identity solely by your job or what you do; instead, see your work as an activity that is “in addition to who you are,” allowing for greater flexibility and self-worth.

23. Establish Boundaries for Support

When offering emotional support to others, particularly those in difficult times, ensure you establish clear boundaries to protect your own well-being and maintain the energy needed to continue your work effectively.

24. Seek Qualified Meditation Teachers

When choosing a meditation teacher, prioritize those who are well-educated in meditation history and lineages, and who can explain their teaching style, especially if they blend different approaches.

25. Commit to One Month Meditation

Try meditating for a month to see if you get anything out of it. The host is confident you will, based on years of experience.

26. Explore Jess Morey’s Meditations

Listen to Jess Morey’s podcast episode to learn her story, and check out her parenting meditations (“Parenting in Hard Moments”) and “Meditation for Teens” on the app.

27. Apply for Producer Roles

If interested in producing meditation content (video/audio) or video production for courses, check out job openings at jobs.10percenthappier.com.