The Smart Couple Podcast

I really enjoyed this conversation with Zen teacher Diane Hamilton. She brings such a genuine willingness to move toward what’s uncomfortable in our relationships. We explore why she left the mormon church and how she got into zen practice. We also take a good look at parenting, marriage, and why it’s so paramount to be able to take our partner’s point of view. I know you’ll appreciate this dialogue. SHOWNOTES: A special guest kicks off the podcast [0:10] Beginning of the interview [5:20] Diane shares the arc of her life up to this point [6:00] Diane’s “genius zone”: Meditation and Mediation [10:00] Skill with conflict = comfort with difference [16:00] Diane shares about the relationship dynamic with her husband [19:30] Diane defines conflict: “Extreme difference that is fueled by emotion, and is very disruptive to the system” [21:00] Why is conflict “good news”? [22:10] The 3 styles of conflict [24:15] Avoidance Accommodation Aggression How Diane uses meditation to work with conflict [29:00] Diane demos