I grew up with some pretty unconventional experiences—my parents were into spirituality, and I even lived in a commune for a while. But when I was a teenager, I rebelled and steered clear of anything like that. In my twenties, I found myself circling back to spirituality, taking classes and working with a teacher. It wasn’t really something I sought out intentionally; it just kind of happened. I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and stumbled upon a Vipassana group, a form of Buddhist meditation. Over time, their teachings started to resonate with me, and I became more serious about mindfulness.
Mindfulness is often confused with meditation, but they’re not quite the same. Meditation is a broad category with many different forms, but mindfulness is a specific type. It’s about paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and the world around you in a very present, non-judgmental way. It can be done while meditating, but it’s also something you can practice in everyday life. For example, if you catch yourself ruminating on something, you can stop and focus on something more immediate, like the warmth of the water while washing dishes. Mindfulness has helped me tune into my deeper self, quieting the constant noise of my thoughts.
Over the years, mindfulness has been a huge source of personal transformation. One of the teachings from Vipassana that really struck me is the concept of "no-self"—the idea that we’re all interconnected, and our attachments to things, people, or outcomes create unnecessary suffering. When you stop seeing yourself as separate, it’s easier to let go of the pain caused by attachment. For me, meditation has become a tool to heal emotionally, letting go of negative thought patterns and judgments that weigh me down. It’s been a journey of learning to trust myself and the process of life more deeply.
Ways to get started:
Practice mindfulness in small moments throughout your day—whether it's noticing your breath while waiting in line or paying attention to your body sensations while walking.
Start meditating, even if just for 5-10 minutes a day. It can be as simple as sitting quietly and focusing on your breath or any other type of meditation that resonates with you.
Listen to the podcast episode on The Aware Mind.
Comments