Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you approach someone you might disagree with with an open and curious mind.

How To Do This Practice:

Ground Yourself: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take three slow, deep breaths, noticing the sensation of each inhale and exhale. Let your body begin to settle.

Picture the Conversation: Bring to mind an upcoming interaction that may feel challenging and visualize where it’s happening and what the setting looks like. See yourself arriving there.

Lead with Curiosity: Imagine yourself speaking with a calm, open tone and asking thoughtful, genuine questions. Picture your body language expressing interest and care.

See It Going Well: Visualize the other person responding positively—softening, engaging, or opening up. Notice how connection feels in your body.

Rehearse the Hard Moment: Imagine a tense moment arising and observe what happens inside you without reacting. See yourself choosing a curious question instead of a defensive response.

Close with Intention: Picture the conversation ending with appreciation and mutual respect. Take three more slow breaths, then gently open your eyes.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.

Today’s Happiness Break Guide:

SCOTT SHIGEOKA is an author and storyteller who focuses on themes of curiosity and well-being.

Learn More About Scott’s work here: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y5xyxky7">https://tinyurl.com/y5xyxky7</a>

Related Happiness Break episodes:

Loving Kindness Meditation: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5">https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5</a>

Embodying Resilience: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/46383mhx">https://tinyurl.com/46383mhx</a>

A Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4utrkyh5">https://tinyurl.com/4utrkyh5</a>

Related Science of Happiness episodes:

Make Uncertainty Part of the Process: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/234u5ds7">https://tinyurl.com/234u5ds7</a>

How To Show Up For Yourself: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc">https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc</a>

How Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6">https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6</a>

Follow us on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scienceofhappinesspod/">@ScienceOfHappinessPod</a>

We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap">https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap</a>

Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link:<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap"> https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap</a>

Transcription: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/s5atfjm7">https://tinyurl.com/s5atfjm7</a>

The Science of Happiness

PRX and Greater Good Science Center

Happiness Break: A Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times

MAR 5, 20268 MIN
The Science of Happiness

Happiness Break: A Meditation For Connecting In Polarized Times

MAR 5, 20268 MIN

Description

Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you approach someone you might disagree with with an open and curious mind.How To Do This Practice: Ground Yourself: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take three slow, deep breaths, noticing the sensation of each inhale and exhale. Let your body begin to settle. Picture the Conversation: Bring to mind an upcoming interaction that may feel challenging and visualize where it’s happening and what the setting looks like. See yourself arriving there. Lead with Curiosity: Imagine yourself speaking with a calm, open tone and asking thoughtful, genuine questions. Picture your body language expressing interest and care. See It Going Well: Visualize the other person responding positively—softening, engaging, or opening up. Notice how connection feels in your body. Rehearse the Hard Moment: Imagine a tense moment arising and observe what happens inside you without reacting. See yourself choosing a curious question instead of a defensive response. Close with Intention: Picture the conversation ending with appreciation and mutual respect. Take three more slow breaths, then gently open your eyes. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today’s Happiness Break Guide:SCOTT SHIGEOKA is an author and storyteller who focuses on themes of curiosity and well-being.Learn More About Scott’s work here: https://tinyurl.com/y5xyxky7Related Happiness Break episodes:Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5Embodying Resilience: https://tinyurl.com/46383mhxA Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy: https://tinyurl.com/4utrkyh5Related Science of Happiness episodes:Make Uncertainty Part of the Process: https://tinyurl.com/234u5ds7How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xcHow Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPodWe’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/s5atfjm7