In this episode of Deep Dive, Chris talks with mindfulness instructor, Cynthia Kane, about how to process your feelings and find the right language to clearly express them. Cynthia is a certified meditation and mindfulness instructor, and is also the founder of Kane International Communication Institute.

Of course, the practice of sharing how you feel seems easer said than done, but the stories and techniques Cynthia shares makes it way more approachable.

If you’re in your head too much and struggle with how to make sense of your thoughts and feelings, this discussion might help. Cynthia and Chris explore why communicating like a Buddhist can not only help yourself, but also help others around you.

What does it mean to speak like a Buddhist? For starters, it means to be intentional with your words. Speak in a kind, honest, and helpful way. As much as possible—and this may take a little more practice for some—try not to gossip, don’t exaggerate, and tell the truth.

It’s natural to fear that our words can be taken out of context. It’s also natural to feel hesitant to share things when you’re unsure of how someone else may react. This makes sharing, in general, rather uncomfortable for people.

But one lesson Cynthia shares in this episode is that we’re not responsible for how others react to what we share. What we are responsible for is what we bring to the conversation—the intent. If you feel uneasy going into it, try to ask yourself, “what’s the worst case scenario?”

At the end of the day, the people who are meant to hear you will do just that. In times where you feel like you can’t open up, or that what you’re feeling isn’t “important,” there’s someone out there who is ready and willing to listen. And when someone reaches out to you, share a similar intent that they’d share with you.

This episode is sponsored by Framer - framer.com/thefutur