377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty
Amid so many negative things currently happening in the world, it can feel challenging to remain positive and be content with ourselves and our lives. How do we cultivate contentment? Is it possible? Is it important? What are some scientifically proven strategies we can adopt to navigate the ups and downs of life? Mary Flaherty shares more.
Mary Flaherty has over 30 years of experience as a psychologist and is a highly experienced university lecturer and curriculum developer. She has worked in Australia, Japan, Ireland, and the U.K and is also a researcher with published findings reported in TIME magazine. Her specific fields of interest include positive psychology, sleep, stress and anxiety management, meditation/mindfulness, and yoga. Mary has also been a yoga teacher for over 20 years.
In this episode, Mary shares more about her background, why she started studying contentment, and how it is different from happiness. She also talks about her new book “Keys to Contentment – from Science, Monks and My Mother”, sharing practical tips about how to be content and manage challenging situations. Mary explains some aspects of how the brain works that might help us when life is hard and highlights why being positive is so important.
Key Takeaways:
[2:30] Stand a chance to win one of two copies of Mary Flaherty’s book in this episode’s giveaway!
[3:40] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
[5:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode – Mary Flaherty.
[10:18] What inspired Mary to write a book about contentment and the science behind it?
“Contentment is sustainable again through the storms of life, it endures in difficulty.”
[13:47] Why did Mary decide to include her mother in talking about the keys to contentment?
[21:53] What are some scientifically proven strategies that help with contentment?
[35:53] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.
[37:56] How do we find Santosha in these challenging times we are living through? How do we balance being positive and grateful while holding space for what’s happening to others around us?
[42:20] Mary highlights why it is so important for us to become aware of our cognitive biases.
[46:00] What is our role as yoga teachers when our students share with us the struggles they are facing?
“Yoga is a wonderful tool, especially when life offers us very challenging circumstances.”
[52:54] What are some other things Mary hopes people would know about leading a more contented life?
“Nurture those social connections because they really will help us to be more content, to be less anxious, to be happier.”
[63:03] Shannon and Mary discuss how useful it can be to slow down and notice the details of life.
[65:08] Get your copy of Mary’s book on Amazon, Kindle, Audible, and iTunes. Connect with her on Instagram as well.
[66:08] What is one small thing you can try if you feel like you are far from reaching contentment?
“The only way we can counteract cruelty is not with cruelty. It’s with care.”
[67:16] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Mary.
[71:22] Shannon shares about some of the guest expert calls available in Pelvic Health Professionals.
[74:05] Shannon relates an experience she had recently that has been weighing on her.
Links:
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Keys to a Contented Life: From Science, Monks & My Mother, by Dr. Mary Flaherty
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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 258: What Does Science Say About Yoga? with Mary Flaherty
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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 123: Habits for Health & Business with James Clear
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311: A Small Seed of Personal Practice with Shannon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode Crow
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310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode Crow
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.
I really enjoyed listening to this episode with Mary about Santosha. I am a new yoga teacher, and this morning the theme of my yoga class was joy. I can’t wait to read Mary’s book to learn more about cultivating contentment and joy. Thank you for this wonderful podcast!
Congratulations Beth! You won a copy of Mary’s book. Please check your email for the details.
La vida es corta…una de las tantas reflexiones que encontrarás en el podcast.
Mary nos ayuda con a canalizar nuestras emociones para alcanzar la felicidad, todo empieza en nosotros mismos.
Por otro lado explica como encontrar esas herramientas de gestión en un viaje interesante entre bases científicas y experiencias vividas que no os podéis perder.
That was brilliant! Mary is amazing, such great knowledge linking all the areas of science and traditional practices. I hope everyone buys the book. It is excellent
Awesome, so much truth! Can’t wait to read the book!
Thanks Shannon for posting such and interesting range of topics in your podcasts. Mary’s book, and the interview are timely and full of great, practical and esy-to-implement hints on living more contentedly, i am suree it will be of great value to many, if not all. Marty.
Creo que es absolutamente necesario leer este libro para una vida más plena y estar en consonancia con nuestro interno.
Excellent podcast episode, I loved it. I love Mary’s suggestions on how to cultivate more santosha in the world and in our lives. For example, nurturing social connections, and remembering we are all connected, that is the real yoga. Thanks for sharing!
What a delight to hear Mary talk through the inspiration & guidance she got from her mother – such a gift for a young lass. And great to hear how she built on that through decades of study and practice. Wonderful podcast. I got Mary’s book when it came out last year, and I love being reminded of so many gems in her own voice – so just now I bought it on Audible! Thank you, Mary, for sharing these life lessons in such a fun & accessible way. ❣️
Such a valuable podcast. Love the word contentment we don’t use it enough. Think it will be my word / theme for rest of the year ❤️thank you Shannon and Mary
thank you for these intentional, actionable approaches!
I bought Mary’s book last year and loved reading her guidance & inspiration! It all fits together so well. And on this great podcast I loved hearing her share so many gems. Now her book is in my Audible library so I can hear it in Mary’s own voice!
Wow. This podcast is filled with incredible wisdom, and the book must be equally insightful. The practical tools Mary shares are easy to understand and can be used by anyone who’s willing. I didn’t want the podcast to end. Thank you!
Congratulations Sava! You won a copy of Mary’s book. Please check your email for details.
Wow. This podcast is filled with incredible wisdom, and the book must be equally insightful. The practical tools Mary shares are easy to understand and can be used by anyone who’s willing. I didn’t want the podcast to end
I love how Mary shares her wisdom in such a down to earth way. This podcast is for anyone who wants to be reminded of the value and importance of living in the present, and of the beauty in practicing kindness to oneself and to others, both near and far.
Santosha is quite a topic for contemplation. Especially as we also encourage taking action with our dreams ahead. Maybe it is done through deciding urgency. Thank you for this episode, Shannon and Mary.
I loved the podcast with Mary !
The wisdom so easily flowed .
I loved hearing how she values her mother’s wise words and have the same connection with my mother and the gifts I received .
Her highlighting on kindness and simple practices I agree should be the focus for all of us today .
I have recently reviewed the 8 limbs of yoga with my students and heard the connections with much of what Mary was saying .
Santosha for me is a constant work in progress a topic I love to explore .
Thank you Mary and Shannon
I can’t wait to read Mary’s book
Thank you for this thought provoking podcast on one of my favorite topics, santosha. I look forward to reading the book!