Summary of Andy Puddicombe Discusses “The Headspace Guide To Meditation And Mindfulness” | BUILD Series

00:00:00 - 00:20:00

Andy Puddicombe, founder of Headspace, discusses his book “The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness", which aims to demystify meditation and bring humor and playfulness to the journey. He highlights the benefits of meditation, such as reducing stress levels and negative thought patterns, and suggests starting with shorter sessions and building up slowly. Puddicombe also talks about the positive impact of his personal meditation practice, encouraging users to stick to theirs and to consider the positive ripple effect it can have on those around them. Lastly, he notes that the Headspace app provides a starting point for meditation and mindfulness practices.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Andy Puddicombe discusses his book "The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness". He explains that the book is not only about embracing meditation and a specific lifestyle but also about demystifying the ideas around meditation. Puddicombe mentions that meditation is seen as a serious and boring activity that has to be performed, whereas, he wants to bring humor and playfulness to it. He believes that the right approach can make the journey very enjoyable and that it can be like a treat where you don't have to do anything. Puddicombe believes that meditation can not only change our brain's shape but also reduce stress levels and decrease cortisol levels.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of Headspace, talks about the benefits of meditation, which includes the reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression while also helping to normalize blood pressure. He addresses self-consciousness and the importance of breathing exercises to clear stale air. Puddicombe suggests starting with shorter sessions and building up slowly, allowing negative thought patterns to fade away with increasing confidence. He advises listeners to put their phone on airplane mode, turn it over, and not think about it during the meditation. Puddicombe explains that meditation helps reduce anxiety and stress by catching and acknowledging thoughts rather than buying into them. Lastly, he speaks about his time in the monastery and encourages those who want to study meditation to consider it as an environment conducive to going deep on their practice.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Andy Puddicombe, founder of Headspace, discusses how his meditation practice has impacted his life. He notes that meditation has given him a sense of perspective, allowing him to recognize that while there are serious things in life, he does not need to take life too seriously. Meditation has also resulted in a greater sense of calm, clarity, and contentment, and has allowed him to become kinder to himself and others. While his primary meditation routine is in the morning, he notes that location is irrelevant and encourages people to practice meditation wherever they can.
• 00:15:00 In this section, meditation teacher Andy Puddicombe discusses his personal meditation practices which he starts his day with, despite not using the Headspace app he created. He also elaborates on the benefits of committing to a practice and quotes Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to encourage people to stick to it. Puddicombe also shares his thoughts on aromatherapy and how it can be part of a holistic approach to overall health and wellness. Finally, he addresses a question about feeling guilty for not meditating regularly and encourages users to think beyond themselves and consider the positive impact meditation can have on those around them.
• 00:20:00 In this section, Andy Puddicombe emphasizes the importance of being kind and compassionate towards others for a ripple effect to take place. By taking responsibility for the condition of our own mind, we can create a positive impact on the people around us, who may then go on and treat others kindly as well. Andy also mentions that the Headspace app, which is available for free on both iTunes and Google Play, provides a starting point for meditation and mindfulness practices.