Introducing Kieran Toohey to the podcast. Kieran's story is genuinely inspiring: an inquisitive child who joined the military, becoming a veteran now in the process of transition to civilian life. He's been using his interest in neuroscience, spirituality, philosophy, and the brain's mechanisms to understand better our reactions to traumatic events. This interest emerged from a course he found while in the military, leading him down a path of discovery and self-knowledge, including adopting the practice of mindfulness.
In this episode, we dive deep into the power of conscious living and self-observation, being present in the world around us, strategies to dissolve patterns of behaviour, and the positive impact of mindfulness on the brain. As someone who served in the military, Kieran brings unique insights about the effects of suppressing emotions and the harsh realities of transitioning back to civilian life.
Prepare for a thought-provoking conversation that explores the fine line between existence and non-existence, the balance represented by the Yin and Yang symbol, and the interpretation of ancient scriptures in the context of modern life. Sit back and prepare to have your curiosity piqued, as Kieran shares his take on the path of least resistance, and how saving energy for JOY can truly transform one's outlook on life.
05:56 Knowing how trauma reactions work helps veterans.
08:15 Meeting poster led to discovery of wisdom.
10:56 We're too comfy; need to work!
14:38 Young digger fights stereotypes, seeks self-validation.
17:54 Uni & PhD are easy compared to this.
22:57 Observing identity led to improved mental health.
26:23 "Scholars find metaphor in scriptures, importance of balance."
29:31 Find your own flavor, respect, listen, meditation.
31:48 Practice is key to success and presence.
"Dangers of Constant Comfort: We all know without being doctors that if you just sit there, your body's going to fall. So we need to get up and make a stressful effort to keep it in some sort of shape that lets us enjoy life. The same principle is true for our individual self inside that if we don't work on ourselves or we find that comfortable lane and avoid every uncomfortable experience, there's a graph that shows atrophy occurring the more comfortable you get."
— Kieran Toohey [00:11:22 → 00:11:58]
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