What does it truly mean to live a practice? In this deeply grounded and reflective episode of Pay Attention, Holly reconnects with meditation teacher Mark Nunberg of Common Ground Meditation Center in Minneapolis —a place that played a meaningful role in her own journey. Together, they explore the unfolding path of contemplative practice—not as a concept, but as a way of living. Mark shares how his early questioning of success and purpose led him to Buddhism and insight meditation, and how over three decades of teaching have revealed a simple but profound truth: clarity doesn't come from thinking more—it comes from seeing clearly. In this conversation, you'll discover:

• What it really means to live a practice—not just do one
• How awareness matures through small, consistent inroads
• Why suffering (dukkha) can be a doorway rather than a problem
• How thoughts lose their power when they are seen clearly
• The shift from identifying with the mind to observing it
• What liberation actually points to—and how it's available in everyday life
• Mark reminds us that the goal isn't to eliminate thoughts, but to change our relationship to them—and that real transformation happens not through force, but through awareness.

If you've ever felt lost, overwhelmed by your thoughts, or curious about what lies beyond the "chaos of the mind," this conversation offers a grounded and accessible path forward.