Season 1

Episode 66- How prayer and meditation play into your everyday life

In this conversation, The Universal Lens discusses their recent experiences and reflections on the concepts of God and the universe. They share personal stories about praying to God and manifesting through the universe, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two. They emphasize the importance of connecting with something greater than oneself and the role of mindfulness, awareness, and presence in this process. The hosts also discuss the significance of religion and the universal nature of the message to alleviate suffering and help others. They conclude by encouraging listeners to find their own path and connect with their hearts and minds. In this conversation, The Universal Lens discusses the similarities between meditation and prayer, emphasizing that both practices require personal effort and a pure heart. They highlight that the labels and rules associated with religion can sometimes hinder the true connection to a higher power. They encourage listeners to strip away labels and focus on being a good person, as all religions ultimately share the same message of caring for others. They also discuss the importance of connecting with the divine power in a way that works for each individual, whether through meditation, prayer, or other practices.

Episode 65 -Your tribe, willingness and distractions and how being mindful is the key to success.

In this episode, John F Emilio invites his life long friend Anthony Lisi(Retired  NYPD ESU Sergeant)  to join him on the show. They discuss the power of friendship and loyalty and what a tribe is and how mindfulness and acceptance play into those relationships. They also explore the concept of how willingness to achieve something is amplified with being mindful and applying acceptance.  The importance of language and self-discipline is emphasized, along with the practice of mindfulness and redirecting focus when distractions arise when working towards what is truly important. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of living in the present moment and shifting perspective to reduce suffering as John emphasizes with his tinnitus experiences. . They highlight the benefits of helping others and how it can lead to personal fulfillment. They end the conversation encourages listeners to embrace the journey of life and find meaning in reducing the suffering of those around them.

Episode 64 - Go Calm Yourself with special guest John Skomski

We welcome John Skomski as he shares his journey of overcoming panic and anxiety and how it led him to start his podcast, Think, Live, Repeat. He also discusses the concept behind his brand, Go Calm Yourself, and the importance of investing in personal development. John shares his strategies for networking and getting guests on his show, as well as his approach to monetization and playing the long game. He opens up about a recent failure at a college showcase and the lessons he learned from it.  
We start the episode talking about some more language reframing which plays right into what our guest John Skomski had to say. 

Episode 63 - Forming new thought patterns with an anxious mind

In this episode we discuss the power of acceptance and rewiring thoughts and the traps that we can fall into.  The practice of acceptance and attention and the empowerment it brings is a catalyst and main ingredient in wanting to manifest a new future for yourself.  The concept of acceptance and rewiring the brain is not something new but we emphasize the importance of envisioning a better future while accepting the present. If that acceptance is not there we can easily get caught on a hamster wheel battling our thoughts. We highlight the significance of making choices aligned with personal values and becoming aware negative self-talk. 

Episode 62 - How do we change the narrative

In this conversation, we discuss the power of rewiring the subconscious mind and the impact it has on our thoughts, beliefs, and actions.  The connection between the mind and body and how mindfulness and gratitude can help in rewiring the subconscious mind. We emphasize the need to maximize the human operating system and the potential for long-term transformation through mind-body alignment.
 
Takeaways
The subconscious mind plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
Repetition and visualization are powerful tools for rewiring the subconscious mind.
Willingness and choice are essential in creating positive change and breaking free from self-limiting beliefs.
Mindfulness and gratitude can help in rewiring the subconscious mind and creating a more positive and fulfilling life.
Maximizing the human operating system requires conscious effort and a commitment to aligning the mind and body. By taking true control of our minds thru awareness, we can rewrite our automatic thoughts and focus on what we want to project.
Awareness is the key to personal growth, allowing us to be mindful and present in our lives.
Challenges and interruptions are normal during meditation, but we can choose to stay focused and not be swayed by distractions.
The mind is not our enemy, but it operates based on what it knows. Rewriting our thoughts and beliefs can lead to positive change.

Episode 61 - Who are you and whats your story ?

Today we discuss the power of downplaying and how it shapes our perception of ourselves. We explore the influence of childhood conditioning and the stories we tell ourselves. We emphasize the importance of choosing who we want to be and reframing our stories. We also discuss the challenges of accepting praise and gratitude, and the need to embrace success and gratitude fully. The conversation highlights the journey of self-awareness and the power of believing in our desired story. John discusses the importance of accepting accomplishments and gratitude. He emphasizes that by fully accepting and acknowledging our achievements, we open ourselves up to receiving more from the universe. John also explores the role of positive thinking in success and highlights the need to balance success with humility. He encourages listeners to accept compliments and acknowledgments graciously, without downplaying their accomplishments. We emphasize the power of feeling gratitude for our achievements and the importance of taking small steps towards our goals. We also discusses how our skills and experiences can multiply our impact and presence in the world. The conversation concludes with a grounding meditation.
 
Takeaways
Our perception of ourselves is often shaped by downplaying our accomplishments and abilities.
Childhood conditioning and the stories we tell ourselves can limit our self-perception.
We have the power to choose who we want to be and reframe our stories.
Accepting praise and gratitude fully is important for personal growth and success.
Believing in our desired story and embracing gratitude can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Episode 60 - How thoughts limit us from being our true self

Today we discuss the power of choice and the importance of not attaching to thoughts. They explore the concept of limiting beliefs and how to overcome mental blocks that keep you from living your valued meaningful life . They emphasize the significance of taking the first step and not getting overwhelmed by daunting thoughts. They also also delve into the practice of grounding oneself and bringing attention to the present moment. They discuss the benefits of interrupting not repressing or pushing away unwanted thoughts and choosing to reengage with meaningful activities. We discuss how a thought or feeling  can keep you from living a valued life if we fuse and attach to them. The thought is not the enemy , it is just a thought. The conversation explores the connection between physical and mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of thoughts in influencing physical sensations. We delve into the concept of forgetting the humanity in mindfulness and the need for reminders to stay present.  The conversation highlights the timelessness of mindfulness and awareness and the shift towards mindfulness in modern society. It also touches on the validation of mindfulness in science and its spread in industrialized countries. 
 
Takeaways
Choose to do what you value and find meaningful, regardless of anxious thoughts or limiting beliefs.
Interrupt unwanted thoughts by bringing attention to the present moment and focusing on the task at hand.
Detach from thoughts and observe them without judgment or attachment.
Practice mindfulness to ground yourself and bring awareness to the present moment.
There is no good or bad meditation, only observation of the mind's activity.

Episode 59 - Living a valued life in the face of (insert your issue)

Today John and Henry discuss the importance of acceptance and living a valued life. They explore the concept of choosing to engage with beneficial thoughts and the power of reframing language. They emphasize the need for emotional awareness and the willingness to be uncomfortable in order to navigate through life's challenges. The conversation also touches on the role of mindfulness education and the urge to help and share knowledge. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of choosing how to live in the face of suffering and the power of shifting focus and vocabulary.  John discusses the human side of experts and the trap of perfection. He highlights the benefits of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in understanding and relating to our thoughts. John emphasizes the importance of accepting thoughts rather than trying to get rid of them. He also explores the concept of the mind's delete button and the acceptance that thoughts cannot be erased. 
 
Takeaways
Acceptance is about being okay with whatever is happening in your life at the moment and making value choices to live your life how you want to.
Choosing to engage with beneficial thoughts and focusing on a valued life can help navigate through anxiety and challenges.
Reframing language and self-programming can help shift focus and choose how to experience life.
Emotional awareness and the willingness to be uncomfortable are key in living a valued life.
Mindfulness education should be taught from an early age to help individuals navigate through life's challenges. Experts are human beings and experience the same struggles and imperfections as everyone else.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a valuable tool for understanding and relating to our thoughts.
Rather than trying to get rid of thoughts, it is more helpful to accept them and focus on engaging in activities that align with our values.
There is no delete button for thoughts, and accepting their presence is key to navigating through them.

Episode 58 Stop Expecting start Accepting

Today John and Henry discuss the importance of mindfulness and consciousness in daily life. They emphasize the need to remember the humanity part of mindfulness and accept the human experiences and emotions that come with it. They highlight the fact that even spiritual teachers and gurus experience the human condition and have their own struggles. The conversation also touches on the power of acceptance and the difference between accepting and expecting. They discuss the parallels between religion and mindfulness, and the connection to something greater. They discuss the importance of disconnecting from the noise and finding ways to unplug from the constant stream of information and distractions. They emphasize the need to adapt to life's challenges and accept the things that cannot be changed or left behind. Acceptance is presented as a path to freedom, allowing individuals to find peace and navigate through negative situations. They also highlight the power of turning negative experiences into positive opportunities for growth. The conversation concludes with practical tips for reprogramming the subconscious and a brief meditation session.
 
Takeaways
Mindfulness and consciousness are essential in navigating daily life.
It is important to remember the humanity part of mindfulness and accept the human experiences and emotions that come with it.
Even spiritual teachers and gurus experience the human condition and have their own struggles.
Acceptance is different from expecting; accepting without expecting leads to greater peace.
There are parallels between religion and mindfulness, and a connection to something greater. Disconnecting from the noise and distractions of everyday life is essential for mental well-being.
Acceptance is a powerful tool for finding peace and freedom in challenging situations.
Turning negative experiences into positive opportunities can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
Reprogramming the subconscious through positive influences can have a profound impact on one's mindset and outlook on life.
 

Episode 57 - NEW YEAR SAME AWARENESS

The conversation explores the importance of living life now, regardless of circumstances. It emphasizes the practice of expressing gratitude. We discuss the challenges of overcoming anxiety and apprehension, as well as the benefits of living with inner peace. We also reflect on the role of identity and labels in shaping our experiences. The conversation highlights the need to not take life too seriously and to engage in life now, rather than waiting for certain circumstances to be in place. Overall, the conversation encourages a mindful and conscious approach to living. They explore the correlation between thoughts and life, highlighting the impact of positive thinking and gratitude. The conversation also touches on breaking the cycle of negativity, identifying with negative experiences, and the power of taking action now. They conclude by encouraging listeners to embrace positivity in the new year and practice shifting their focus.
 
Takeaways
Expressing gratitude and saying something nice about others can create a positive and loving atmosphere.
Living with inner peace is possible even when thoughts and emotions are present.
Engaging in life now, regardless of circumstances, leads to a more fulfilling and joyful experience.
Not taking life too seriously allows for greater flexibility and enjoyment. Focus on getting what you need rather than what you want.
Visualize a better future and start living as if it has already happened.
There is a correlation between thoughts, mindset, and the quality of life.
Practicing positivity and gratitude can improve all aspects of life.
Break the cycle of negativity and avoid identifying with negative experiences.
Take action now and don't wait for the perfect conditions.
Find what resonates with you in terms of personal growth and mindset practices.
Embrace positivity and practice shifting your focus to what you want.