What To Do When Life Won't Let Up | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren

·1 hr 2 min·5 clips

Dan Harris confronts Sebene Selassie's 'trust life' tattoo, questioning if it's just empty words or a key to handling work stress.

This episode of the 10% Happier Podcast features a conversation between host Dan Harris and meditation teachers Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren, part of the show's 'Meditation Party' series. Harris opens by expressing skepticism about Selassie's 'trust life' tattoo, prompting a discussion on its meaning and application. Selassie credits the phrase to Los Armiento and describes it as a guiding post for navigating health and relationship challenges without denying difficulties. Warren introduces his alternative mantra, 'this is the curriculum,' framing life's hardships as necessary lessons that build coherence over time. The dialogue touches on metaphysical aspects, with Selassie referencing astrology and Warren emphasizing the subjective benefits of believing in an enchanted universe. Selassie shares a personal update on her cancer recurrence, illustrating how 'trust life' helps her surrender control and focus on gratitude. The hosts then address listener voicemails: Sana asks about balancing 'soft mode' with caregiving responsibilities, leading to advice from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and intention-setting; Glenn seeks help for obsessive thinking, with suggestions like 'stirring and stilling' practices and using the I Ching; Adriana wonders if napping ruins meditation, prompting a pro-nap stance with tips for alert practice. In the final segment, they share cultural recommendations, including the book 'The Saint of Bright Doors,' a clowning workshop where Selassie learned to 'go where the love is,' and the documentary 'The Greatest Night in Pop.' The episode blends philosophical exploration with practical tools, emphasizing mindfulness in everyday struggles.

As heard by us

A meditation conversation tests "trust life" against cancer, fear, obsessive planning, and the stubborn facts of attention.

The episode pushes the phrase "trust life" into tougher ground, weighing it against fear, obsessive thinking, work-life balance, and the limits of control.

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Why you'd press play

If life keeps handing you uncertainty, press play for a steadier way to meet fear without letting control take the wheel.

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