Podcast Summary: "Cory Muscara - Mindfulness Expert & Former Monk | Why Mindfulness Is the Ultimate Productivity Hack"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Success Story with Scott D. Clary
• Host/Author: Success Story Media
• Guest: Cory Muscara, Mindfulness Expert & Former Monk
• Release Date: June 30, 2025

Introduction to Cory Muscara

The episode kicks off with an introduction to Cory Muscara, a renowned mindfulness teacher and former monk. Cory shares his unconventional journey from flipping candy for profit in high school to dedicating six months to silent meditation in a Burmese monastery. This transformative experience laid the foundation for his career in mindfulness coaching, helping individuals and Fortune 500 companies enhance focus, clarity, and self-awareness.

[01:24] Cory Muscara: "When I was a senior in high school, everyone knew me as the Candy man because I would go to Costco, buy $300 of candy and flip it for $500 a day. That's why I thought I was going to go into business."

Defining Mindfulness

Cory delves into his personal definition of mindfulness, describing it as an "act of love" toward one's life. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming the present moment and avoiding the trap of perpetual future-thinking, which often leads to missing out on the now.

[03:01] Cory Muscara: "In many ways, I think of mindfulness as an act of love. It's a love affair with your life."

Evolutionary Perspectives: Future Thinking vs. Present Focus

The discussion shifts to the evolutionary underpinnings of human cognition. Cory references psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman's work, highlighting that humans are inherently future-oriented, a trait that has facilitated survival and progress. However, this predisposition can also lead to increased anxiety and distraction from the present.

[05:09] Cory Muscara: "At our core, we are future-thinking beings. Our unique capacity is to imagine a future that hasn't yet happened and then organize resources to help bring that future to reality."

The Role of Fear and Ambition in Personal Growth

Host Scott Clary poses a critical question about distinguishing between ambitions driven by fear versus true happiness. Cory offers strategies to identify the sources of one's motivations, emphasizing self-inquiry and awareness to ensure that actions stem from a place of wholeness rather than fear.

[10:50] Scott Clary: "Is there a way to tell if those aspirations are being driven from a place of fear or true happiness and excitement?"

[12:16] Cory Muscara: "If the motivation for your goals arises from fear, it often carries a resonance of survival, making it loud and anxious."

The Meditation Journey: From Breakup to Monastic Life

Cory recounts how a painful breakup in college led him to take meditation seriously. Initially motivated by a desire to impress his hippie girlfriend, the breakup catalyzed his deeper exploration into mindfulness, ultimately leading him to Tibet for an intensive meditation retreat.

[34:17] Cory Muscara: "The pain of that breakup caused me to actually take the meditation more seriously. It was the first time I saw I could create relief from my inner world."

Balancing Ambition with Mindfulness

A pivotal part of the conversation centers on integrating ambition with a mindful approach to life. Cory explains that true ambition doesn't necessitate control or fear but can emerge from a place of inner peace and alignment.

[50:41] Cory Muscara: "Ambition was still there, it was just expressing itself in a different way. It now wanted to express itself through this work."

Practical Steps to Starting Meditation

Cory provides actionable advice for beginners, debunking the myth that meditation requires silencing the mind. Instead, he advocates for observing thoughts without judgment, creating a compassionate relationship with oneself.

[57:24] Scott Clary: "From somebody who does this for a living and teaches it, I need to know where people should start. How do I actually silence my mind?"

[58:26] Cory Muscara: "The first step is to not try to silence the thoughts. Think of meditation as an open meadow where you let the cattle run through."

Letting Go with Compassion

The conversation explores the concept of "letting go," emphasizing the importance of understanding and honoring the parts of oneself that resist change. Cory introduces the idea of falling in love with these resisting parts to facilitate genuine release.

[64:51] Scott Clary: "You mentioned one of the lines that you mention. If you want to let go, you first need to fall in love with the part of you that is holding on."

[65:46] Cory Muscara: "Letting go requires moving closer to the part that's gripping, asking it compassionately what it's trying to protect you from."

Navigating the Challenges of Self-Exploration

Cory warns high-performing individuals about the potential emotional upheavals that come with deep self-exploration. He encourages patience and self-compassion during periods of intense personal growth.

[71:08] Scott Clary: "For high-performing individuals, what are some things they should be aware of when they start looking inside themselves?"

[71:43] Cory Muscara: "One thing you'll notice is your mind's probably busy and that can often get pathologized. View it as a superpower that has served you well."

Resources and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Cory shares his resources for those interested in delving deeper into mindfulness. He directs listeners to his Instagram handle @CoryMuscara for free meditations and his website, corymascara.com, for his flagship "30 Day Fresh Start Course."

[74:48] Scott Clary: "Can you give everybody who’s listening to you for the first time a rundown of where they can connect with you?"

[75:08] Cory Muscara: "Follow me on Instagram at CoryMuscara.com for free resources and my 30 Day Fresh Start Course."

Final Wisdom

Cory imparts his most cherished lesson, emphasizing the power of surrender and the transformative potential of letting go with love.

[76:27] Cory Muscara: "There is an energetic law to surrender. You get back all that you're willing to let go. It might take a different form, but you will be filled to the extent that you are willing to release."

Key Takeaways:

• Mindfulness as an Act of Love: Embracing the present moment fosters a deeper connection with life.
• Understanding Motivations: Distinguishing between fears and true desires is crucial for authentic ambition.
• Compassionate Self-Inquiry: Approaching one's inner resistance with love facilitates genuine personal growth.
• Practical Meditation: Observing thoughts without judgment builds a compassionate relationship with oneself.
• Resource Availability: Numerous free resources are available for those seeking to start their mindfulness journey.

Notable Quotes:

• Cory Muscara [03:01]: "If I miss it, it's gone. And that's okay because there's this one right now that I can wake up to."
• Cory Muscara [05:09]: "We are future-thinking beings... to imagine a future that doesn't exist and then create it."
• Cory Muscara [58:26]: "You're just creating an open space to observe all of this in a grounded open space."
• Cory Muscara [65:25]: "Letting go requires moving closer to the part that's gripping, asking it compassionately what it's trying to protect you from."

This episode offers a profound exploration of mindfulness, personal growth, and the delicate balance between ambition and inner peace. Cory Muscara's insights provide valuable guidance for anyone seeking to enhance their productivity through mindful practices.