Managing the Smart Mind

In this joy-full and enlightening interview, Swami Nityananda and I explore spirituality and personal growth for fast-brained humans.

There are so many gems in here that I can't even begin to summarise them - but here are six of Swami Nityananda's main teachings from our talk:

1. Embracing Joy
Joy is not something external to us; it is an innate quality within every individual. By being fully present in the moment, practising gratitude, and embracing simplicity, we can tap into the endless source of joy that resides within us.

2. Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful practices that allow us to quiet the mind, expand our awareness, and experience inner stillness. By incorporating meditation into our daily lives, we can enhance our well-being, connect with our true essence, and access higher levels of consciousness.

3. Self-Realization and Transformation
Recognize that at the core of our being, there is peace, joy, and unconditional love.
By letting go of limiting beliefs and attachments, we can connect with our true nature, live from a place of authenticity and joy, and experience personal transformation.

4. Ambition and Striving (this could well be my favourite part)
True ambition arises from a place of connection with our inner light and aligning our actions with our true nature.
It is not about forcing or striving excessively but rather working joyfully, wisely, and confidently from a space of pure love and inspiration.

5. The Three Knots
In yogic teachings, the three knots are identified as ignorance, desire, and action. Untying these knots involves realizing that the light we seek is already within us, releasing the belief in separateness, and understanding that our true essence is interconnected with everything. By living in alignment with these teachings, we can find guidance, focus, and inspiration to manifest our unique talents and contribute to the well-being of ourselves and the whole.

6. Interconnectedness
We are all interconnected, and our well-being is intertwined with the well-being of others and the world around us. By recognizing this interconnectedness, we can work towards thriving and succeeding while also supporting the thriving and success of others. Our individual contributions, whether in work, relationships, hobbies, or daily activities, are essential parts of a larger transformation of human structures.

These teachings offer profound insights and practical guidance for leading a purposeful, fulfilling, and spiritually aligned life - and together with the rest of the interview provides plenty of inspiration for designing a life that works with your smart mind.
Show Notes

You can find more information about Swami Nityananda's book, "The Yoga of Pure Awareness", here: https://awakeyogameditation.org/awake
The Awake Yoga Meditation website: Awakeyogameditation.org

Instagram: @swami_nityananda_giri

Instagr

Ready to learn how to Manage your Smart Mind? Then download my free 'Mapping Your Unique Brain' Workbook. Go to:
https://www.coachkramer.org/brainmap to get access.
Are you interested in working with me? Click here.

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I have something very different from my usual offerings for you on this Episode. There’s lots to learn from today’s smart guest, for sure, but there’s also poetry and music to enjoy! And yes, I may be getting a little teary-eyed...

This Episode welcomes Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, an Irish poet, musician, ethnomusicologist, and many other things.

This is exactly why I wanted to interview him because he is such a great example of how you can do many different things with your smart mind.

Mícheál comes from an Irish family steeped in traditional music and academia. He studied music at University College Cork and got an MA in Ethnomusicology, before becoming a freelance music educator with a specialisation in rap and human beatboxing.

He’s performed all over the world with his brother in their acoustic pop duo ‘Size2shoes’ - but decided that he wanted a deeper way of engaging with music and poetry, diving into the traditions passed down to him by his parents, both icons of Irish Traditional Culture.

Thus began his journey as a speaker, guide and poet - and he published his first book of poetry EARLY MUSIC in 20020.

This isn’t even half of it - and during our conversation, we dive into many more topics and fields he engages in like art, nature, and sacred sites.

You’ll learn about the significance of finding your voice, the value of apprenticeship and taking time for deep learning, the therapeutic nature of art and music, and the role of tradition and lineage in the arts.

I hope that this conversation will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the arts, and a renewed sense of inspiration to explore your own creative journeys.

Enjoy this beautiful session with Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin!

Links/Show Notes

You can buy a signed copy of Mícheál's book, as well as explore other offerings here: https://www.turasdanam.com/shop

And you can learn more about tours, courses and working with him and his amazing brother and morning here:
https://www.turasdanam.com/

Ready to learn how to Manage your Smart Mind? Then download my free 'Mapping Your Unique Brain' Workbook. Go to:
https://www.coachkramer.org/brainmap to get access.
Are you interested in working with me? Click here.

Come say hi on LinkedIn |Insta | Twitter | FB

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dan French, a multi-talented fast-brained human who has successfully combined careers in comedy, academia, and public speaking.
Dan is not your typical comedian. He has a brain that allows him to juggle multiple careers simultaneously. When boredom strikes, he turns to various creative and intellectual pursuits, effectively splitting his brain into two halves. This unique approach has enabled him to excel as a marketeer, comedy writer, stand-up entertainer, and rhetorician.

We talk networking, ethical persuasion, and travelling the world as a stand-up comedian on cruise ships.

Dan is also a professor in rhetoric, a powerful tool for effective messaging and communication. Despite its often negative association with sales and politics, rhetoric can be used for good - and Dan shows you how on the podcast.
He also shares his technique of using a meta-level approach to abstract issues, enabling you to remove emotions from conversations and emphasizing the importance of validating the other person's perspective.
Other topics we cover include:

• Embracing vulnerability and authenticity
• The impact of humour on mental health
• The value of continuous learning and personal growth
• The role of creativity in problem-solving
• The significance of community and support networks
• The impact of storytelling
• The potential for comedy as a catalyst for social change

Should comedians be given more power or at least a more prominent role in society?
Do we need to reinstate the court jesters? I'd love to know what your thoughts are after listening to this Episode!

Show Notes
Rhetoric Warriors: https://rhetoricwarriors.com/500 Rockets: https://500rockets.io/21 Coliseums of Persuasion: https://www.amazon.com/21-Coliseums-Persuasion-Winning-Knowing/dp/0983361649Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-french-ph-d-6ba9059/

Ready to learn how to Manage your Smart Mind? Then download my free 'Mapping Your Unique Brain' Workbook. Go to:
https://www.coachkramer.org/brainmap to get access.
Are you interested in working with me? Click here.

Come say hi on LinkedIn |Insta | Twitter | FB

In this podcast episode, I look at designing your future from a meta-perspective and challenge conventional wisdom around visualization techniques.
The commonly suggested approach to visualize your ideal self often lacks emotional depth and may not be the best strategy for fast-brained humans like you for reasons I dive into in this episode.
Instead of asking the question "Who do I want to become?" I suggest a more dynamic and emotionally resonant method: focus on how you want to feel on a daily basis.
This is how you can 'design' a fun future:

• make a list of the emotions you wish to experience regularly
• identify activities or experiences that evoke these emotions.
• redesign your life to incorporate more and more of those activities

By focusing on feelings rather than a rigid identity, you can chart a path towards a life that allows for flexibility, resilience, and fulfillment.
This way of doing things turns traditional self-development on its head by emphasizing feeling states as guideposts, which enables a more organic and emotionally rich planning process.

Main Learnings and Takeaways

• Traditional self-development methods, like visualization, may not work for everyone, particularly those who are very smart, highly adaptable and resilient.
• Instead of focusing on "who you want to become," concentrate on "how you want to feel"
• Make lists of the feelings you want to experience regularly and the activities that evoke these emotions to create a guidepost for your life direction
• Go for small shifts rather than giant jumps

Resources:
Episode 47 on Visualisation: https://managingthesmartmind.buzzsprout.com/1960175/11977984-episode-47-how-to-use-visualisation-to-improve-your-life-and-make-much-better-use-of-your-smart-mind
Episode 48 on Troubleshooting Visualisation:
https://managingthesmartmind.buzzsprout.com/1960175/12023543-episode-48-troubleshooting-visualisation-internalised-oppression-social-cultural-pressure-other-programming-and-bridging-the-gap

Ready to learn how to Manage your Smart Mind? Then download my free 'Mapping Your Unique Brain' Workbook. Go to:
https://www.coachkramer.org/brainmap to get access.
Are you interested in working with me? Click here.

Come say hi on LinkedIn |Insta | Twitter | FB

I am so excited to share with you the inspiring journey of Francesca Busca, a former lawyer turned mosaic artist. Francesca's story is a true testament to the power of aligning your life with your interests and passions.

Francesca trained as a lawyer, but became instantly hooked on mosaic art after a visit to a Roman basilica in Italy.
She started creating and studying mosaics - as well as innovating the whole field.
In this interview, you'll learn:

• Francesca Busca's background and journey in designing a life aligned with her interests and passions
• Her experience studying law and transitioning into mosaic art
• How she quickly became an expert and started innovating in her field
• Her approach to making rubbish beautiful and spreading awareness about pollution and waste reduction
• Her personal rituals, productivity, and the importance of having time to think and be alone for creativity.

Francesca Busca's journey is a testament to the power of following one's passion and making a positive impact on the world.
Through her art and activism, Francesca inspires us to make a difference and create a better future. Her story is another great reminder that it's never too late to pursue what truly makes you happy.

Show notes

You can find Francesca and her stunning work here:
https://www.francescabusca.com/
https://www.instagram.com/francesca_busca/?hl=en

Ready to learn how to Manage your Smart Mind? Then download my free 'Mapping Your Unique Brain' Workbook. Go to:
https://www.coachkramer.org/brainmap to get access.
Are you interested in working with me? Click here.

Come say hi on LinkedIn |Insta | Twitter | FB