Being Present With Your Body - George Thompson (ep. 940)

George is the creator of an amazing film, an epic philosophical adventure exploring ancient answers to humanity's biggest challenges.

He recorded his journey by train all the way from UK, across Europe, Russia, Siberia and finally, China.

We spoke about the things he has learned on the journey and what Master Gu has taught him in the Wudang Mountains.

What we touched upon:

1. How can gratitude be cultivated as a daily practice rather than a one-time feeling?
2. In what ways does experiencing contrast enhance our sense of gratitude?
3. How does stepping out of our comfort zone and exploring new cultures contribute to our gratitude?
4. What role does acceptance play in fostering a grateful mindset?
5. How can being present and spontaneous lead to a deeper appreciation of life?

Resources:

George's film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE9vH3vtrr4 

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What's your #1 takeaway from this interview? Would love to hear from you in the comments section on Spotify & Youtube!

Timestamps:

00:39 - Brain's tendency to create erroneous connections and the importance of gratitude as a practice.

01:39 - Introduction to the Gratitude Podcast and its mission.

02:04 - Introduction of George Thompson, his journey to China, and film creation.

03:14 - George Thompson's journey into Taoism and making "Journey to the East."

04:42 - Mental health crisis and finding gratitude through Taoism.

06:34 - Experience in the Wudang Mountains and learning Tai Chi.

08:31 - Cultural richness of China and impact of the Cultural Revolution.

10:14 - Appreciation for creating the documentary and metaphor of the journey.

12:21 - Challenges and rewards of traveling by train.

14:20 - Taoist philosophy of yin yang and the importance of contrast.

17:13 - Experiences in Siberia and human body's resilience.

20:18 - Universal aspects of gratitude and love in spiritual practices.

21:38 - Concept of contrast and its role in gratitude.

23:22 - Swimming in frozen Siberian waters.

26:33 - Resilience and adaptability of humans in different climates.

28:25 - Taoist story about acceptance and the nature of vinegar.

31:13 - Journey of acceptance and dealing with anxiety.

32:00 - Empowerment through acceptance and gratitude.

33:42 - Importance of enjoying the journey, not just focusing on goals.

34:17 - Tai Chi metaphor about balance and flexibility.

35:52 - Importance of being present and spontaneous.

37:26 - Uniqueness of each individual's path in life.

39:08 - Film release and dealing with expectations.

40:17 - Gratitude as a practice and finding perspective.

42:07 - Importance of being playful and kind to oneself.

43:52 - Role of negative experiences in personal growth.

45:32 - Taoist concept of wu-wei, or non-forcing.

47:48 - Story of meeting Master Gu and the role of destiny.

50:02 - Unexpected journey to learning Tai Chi.

54:31 - Reflection on the concept of destiny and its impact.

56:03 - Tangible nature of destiny.

57:20 - Role of technology in sharing experiences.

59:10 - Historical separation of cultures and power of connection.

1:00:40 - Film praised for bringing people together.

1:01:35 - Invitation to watch "Journey to the East" on YouTube.

1:02:06 - Closing remarks and expressio