It happened in early March when I was waiting for the No. 6 train to arrive during the daytime commute. in style I was led through a three-minute meditation via Zoom at Gwyneth Paltrow’s headquarters in New York City. I agreed to follow her clear instructions and focus my attention on the platform I was standing on and the relationship of my body to the underground tunnel just a few feet away.
Finding Zen on the subway isn’t easy. But for just a few moments, I felt relaxed and was able to drown out the noise of impending deadlines and the overall discomfort that comes with notifications of grim news arriving on my phone. Paltrow’s meditative practice paid off. I drank the Kool-Aid, luxuriously consciously distancing myself from the nearby screaming children and the rapid opening and closing of train doors.
Paltrow, who needs no introduction, always makes headlines for her unconventional approach to personal health, and her latest project is available for public viewing here. Moments of Space is a new meditation app designed to help users meditate with their eyes anytime, anywhere. -open” methodology (details below).
Greg Williams
The actress is already the CEO of goop. Her luxury lifestyle Her brand goop started in 2008 as a newsletter promoting health tips and has evolved into a solid content and e-commerce business, with GP followers wearing everything from rose gold eyelash curlers to her G. You can buy things. Label the cashmere sweater and the candle “This Smells Like My Vagina.” So why meditate now and why use technology?
“The world is going through such a tough time right now, but it’s a little oasis of calm. We all need to take a moment to really connect with our inner selves and connect with that oneness and spirituality that we believe in. “Now is the time,” says Paltrow. “The only way we progress as a species is to remember that we are all connected, that all humans are equal, and that we all want the same things for our children and ourselves. I think meditation is a really quick way to get closer to that oneness.”
Greg Williams
For this project, Paltrow teamed up with Kim Little, a Buddhist and software developer. In Kim Little’s words, we are committed to “making the world a better place” and using that knowledge to “build connection and peace.” According to marketing materials, “When you meditate with your eyes open, you learn to stay present in any situation and blend your practice with your daily life.” Moments of Space uses AI technology to help users Personalize the experience for each user, whether the goal is simply to find solace from the stressors of the day or to unlock greater consciousness. Woo-woo, but how deep you dive is up to you.
Below, Paltrow reveals her meditative rituals, the funniest members of her family, and how you, too, can find joy in life’s quiet moments.
InStyle: As an app, Moments of Space provides an easy entry point for meditation beginners. From your perspective, what are the benefits of practicing meditation?
Gwyneth Paltrow: You won’t understand the meaning of meditation until you actually try it, and until you can clear your mind, create space, and connect with your inner self. For me, when I’m doing this, I feel like a little spring springs up inside me, and I’m like, Oh, I feel so good and relaxed. So I think there are a lot of ways that people can access it.
What I love about eye-opening meditation is that we live in a culture where we are constantly bombarded with input and think we need to be constantly multitasking. Now you can multitask. Whether you’re taking a walk, riding the subway, attending a meeting, or having a conversation, you can take in many different elements. I didn’t know that was possible until I met Kim. And I think this is going to be really great for people who just want to play around and see what they have access to.
Greg Williams
What made you start meditating?
GP: I started practicing yoga when I was about 25 years old. Madonna took me to a yoga class in New York in the ’90s, and I started practicing Ashtanga yoga with Eddie Stern. He was a great meditation teacher, yoga practitioner, and Sanskrit scholar. He’s been doing that for years and years.Then I learned TM [transcendental meditation]. It was really sporadic.During the coronavirus, her husband [Brad Falchuk] “I want to learn how to meditate.” So we called a meditation teacher to learn from him. For example, this morning I overslept. I had to wake up, jump in the shower, and do my hair and makeup. [Brad] We never miss meditation, and we meditate together almost every morning. It’s really special. It’s a great ritual that we do together.
What makes this process different and what are some of the benefits you have experienced by keeping your eyes open?
GP: Being in nature while meditating – walking outside with sunlight, sea, air and trees – is a different aspect than the meditation I have always done, where I sit with my eyes closed. It helps me integrate the outer world and inner world. It helps you let go of things that come into your visual pathway. I also find that when I’m doing walking meditation in a different way, I stay very present. When you meditate with your eyes closed, your mind can wander elsewhere. But I think I can stay focused if I do it with my eyes open.
Greg Williams
What if you don’t have access to the ocean or large open spaces?
GP: You can walk! Literally walk down the crowded streets of New York City and do it. You can do it simply by sitting in a chair or on the floor of your room. No need to walk. You can also do it while using Zoom for work. That’s the point of this issue. You can do it anywhere. Whenever I’m on a plane.
What is one of the deepest realizations you have had through meditation?
GP: There is an amazing source of peace and wisdom within myself, and within all of us, that is accessible to all of us at all times. And that we layer upon layer upon layer upon layer upon layer upon layer upon layer of that universal truth of so many things, of busyness, of heartbreak, of material things, all of them. think. But when we get back to our essence, there is a place within myself that is truly peaceful and optimistic, and I think many others think the same way.
You’re extremely busy with two kids, a husband, multiple entertainment projects, and the CEO of goop. How do you find time to meditate?
GP: Well, I’m incorporating it into my morning routine. Routine is really important to me. If you have a routine and do something every day, whether it’s exercising or working out, just stick with it. That’s my approach. Or just grab it while you can. With open eyes, you can literally grab it at any time.
Greg Williams
As a public figure, you’ve always had a funny sense of humor about celebrity culture. You’re in on the joke. What keeps you laughing? Lately, all I can do is laugh.
GP: That’s the only way to do it! you have to. There’s a lot of pain in the world and it’s very difficult. So you’re right. You have to find joy and connection.my daughter [Apple Martin] It’s really interesting. she really makes me laugh. She and my husband are also really interesting people. I always laugh with him. Yeah. I think humor has always been a big thing in my life.my father [Bruce Paltrow] Very cheerful and he encouraged us to have a sense of humor.he thinks it was my brother [Jake Paltrow] It’s hard to say it myself, but I think so too. However, laughing can be a great stress reliever. I love to poke fun at myself. I love humor with a silly, funny bone, and I think that’s how I stay optimistic.
Do you have a favorite playlist or TV show that makes you laugh?
GP: I usually watch things like murder cases, which aren’t that funny, but I think kids will send me memes and stuff like that. And there are some really interesting people on the internet. Maybe they have a lot of time, but let me tell you, there are interesting people doing interesting things.
Return to meditation. Moments of Space uses AI to personalize meditation for every user. What are your views on AI and how will it be used in the future?
GP: Look, AI is definitely here. The train has left the station. So I think the real question is how do we continue to shape that in a positive way? And while there will certainly be some bad guys out there, true personalization, a wellness platform that really understands who you are, what you need, and when you need it. There are also great opportunities. Having an AI wellness coach who knows you better than you know yourself could potentially be very exciting. We can decide to fear it, or we can think of ways to use it for our own improvement and enrichment.
Do you have a mantra that you live by?
GP: Over the past few years, I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve been talking to myself a lot. He’s not loud, but he’s trying to change some of the more punitive and destructive ways he talked to himself when he was younger. So I definitely have affirmations that I tell myself. Not every day, and not all the time, but when I do, I feel like I’ve really made friends with myself. I felt like I was a friend and that was a complete game changer for me.
Moments of Space is now available for purchase in the Apple Store. The app costs $14.99 for a three-month subscription after a one-week free trial, and $29.99 annually after a two-week free trial.
