April 1, 2024 01:03:56 E15

S1 E15 The Wise Monkey Way

Rory Kinsella, a Vedic meditation teacher and sober coach, shares his personal journey of quitting alcohol and finding meditation. Growing up in England and Australia, both known for their drinking cultures, Rory started drinking at a young age and continued heavily into his 30s. He found that alcohol helped him feel more extroverted and less stressed. However, as he got older, he realized that he wanted to make a change. Through running and meditation, Rory discovered healthier ways to alter his conscious state and manage stress. He eventually decided to quit drinking and found inspiration from a yoga teacher who had also given up alcohol. Rory's experience highlights the importance of finding alternative coping mechanisms and role models when changing one's relationship with alcohol. Rory Kinsella shares his journey of quitting alcohol and the impact it had on his life. He wrote an article about his experience, which gained a lot of attention and helped him come out as someone who doesn't drink. He also started teaching meditation and found that it became a coping mechanism for him and a way to help others quit drinking. Vedic meditation, a form of meditation that uses a mantra, was particularly effective for him in reducing stress and anxiety. He encourages people to try meditation as a wellness strategy instead of relying on alcohol. In this conversation, Rory Kinsella shares his journey of quitting smoking, DJing, and finding meditation in his mid-thirties. He explains how he stumbled upon meditation through the encouragement of a mentor and how it helped him become more present and less stressed. Rory discusses his Myers-Briggs and Enneagram personality types and how they have influenced his behavior and mindset. He also talks about his transition from being a party monster to teaching meditation and the positive impact it has had on his life. Rory shares his excitement about leading his first retreat in Bali and how it is open to anyone interested in meditation and alcohol-free living. He encourages listeners to try meditation as a coping mechanism and to seek connection and community in their alcohol-free journey.

Takeaways

Alcohol can provide temporary relief from stress and social anxiety, but it's important to find healthier ways to manage these emotions.
Engaging in physical activities like running can produce natural endorphins and serotonin, which can improve mood and reduce the need for alcohol.
Meditation can help individuals feel more comfortable in their own skin and reduce the desire for alcohol as a social crutch.
Having role models who have successfully quit drinking can provide inspiration and support during the journey to sobriety. Writing about your experience can be a key moment in your journey of quitting alcohol and can help you come out and create a public persona around it.
Meditation, particularly Vedic meditation, can be a powerful tool in quitting alcohol and managing stress and anxiety.
Choosing not to drink doesn't have to be a forever commitment, but rather a choice for the present moment.
Drinking to manage stress is not a healthy strategy and can lead to a cycle of dependence and feeling worse.
Meditation can help reduce neediness and reliance on other coping mechanisms like social media, food, or shopping. Meditation can be a powerful tool for becoming more present and less stressed.
Understanding your personality type can help you better understand yourself and make positive changes.
Replacing alcohol with healthier coping mechanisms, such as meditation, can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Joining a community of like-minded individuals can provide support and role models in your alcohol-free journey.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

01:20
Growing Up in England and Australia

06:20
Music and Drinking Culture

09:47
Finding Alternative Coping Mechanisms

12:10
The Shift After Learning to Meditate

13:48
Moderation and Public Announcement

21:23
Writing About the Experience

26:22
Creating a Public Persona

30:00
Introduction to Vedic Meditation

32:05
Introduction to Meditation and Vedic Mantras

33:07
Breathwork and Panic Attacks

34:23
Choosing a Mantra

35:34
Benefits of Mantra Meditation

36:18
Comfortable Meditation Posture

36:55
Enjoying Meditation and Building Self-Trust

38:20
Alcohol as a Stress Management Strategy

39:14
Negative Effects of Alcohol on Stress Hormones

40:23
Meditation as a Wellness Strategy

41:31
Replacing Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

42:36
Personality Types and Self-Discovery

44:49
Transitioning from Party Monster to Meditation Teacher

47:39
Overcoming Past Negative Experiences with Meditation

52:46
Leading Retreats and Creating Meaningful Experiences

54:40
Retreats in Bali and the Wise Monkey Way

57:48
Replacing Alcohol with Meditation

01:00:39
Advice for Those Considering Meditation and Sobriety

01:03:32
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Creators and Guests

Host

Jane W Ballard

Jane Ballard, LCSW-S, CEDS, PMH-C, is a licensed psychotherapist and Alcohol Free Life coach. She is the founder of Jane Ballard Wellness, a private practice offering in-person counseling services in Dallas, TX and virtual individual and group coaching to women in the United States and beyond. After waking up to the realization that alcohol was a barrier to living her purpose, she set out to make information, support and connection more accessible to like minded women.

Guest

Rory Kinsella

Rory Kinsella is a Vedic Meditation teacher and sober coach based in Sydney, Australia. A former hard-drinking musician and journalist, he quit alcohol in 2017 and now helps others change their relationship with alcohol through his Wise Monkey Way online programs. He teaches an effortless style of meditation using a mantra that allows the mind to move beyond thoughts to a place of stillness within.