That's space video.

Hi, it's Sam.

Welcome to Radio Headspace and to Monday.

Over the years that I've taught mindfulness, I've encountered a lot of cynicism.

For example, I've met many people who believe that heart-centered practices like loving

kindness and gratitude were just a waste of time.

And I get it.

On the surface, it can seem pointless to send silent and private wishes to someone who

lives thousands of miles away.

But tapping into our compassion is valuable.

And while I can understand cynicism, I try to be skeptical instead.

Skepticism comes from the Greek word scepticos, which means to inquire or find out.

And it invites us to question what we're told and adamantly seek truth.

Initially, I thought the word cynical describes someone who decided to be cranky, someone

who saw the world from a glass half empty perspective.

So I decided to be skeptical, questioning this assumption, and finding out more about

the roots of cynicism.

And I was fascinated by what I learned.

It starts with a man named Diogenese who lived in ancient Greece.

In the story, he created counterfeit coins and was stripped of his citizenship and all

of his possessions.

He found that if he decided to shed societal norms and expectations, refusing to conform,

...