What does it feel like to simply be yourself—without all the striving, fixing, and fabricating?

In this episode, I explore six key turning points in my own journey of practice, from realizing I could shape my mind, to discovering concentration, to resting more deeply in love and a growing sense of oneness.

Along the way, I reflect on the challenges of modern life—overthinking, anxiety, emotional overwhelm—and how contemplative practice helps us come to rest in something deeper, steadier, and more peaceful.

I talk about what it means to truly clock out, how to face what you cannot control, and why letting the sediment settle in the pond of the mind reveals the inner treasures already inside you. I also offer thoughts on anxiety, craving, self-compassion, and how to honor your own path of awakening—wherever you are on it.

Whether you’re new to practice or have been on the path for years, I hope this reflection helps you rest more fully in your own being.

Life is hard—and then our mind makes it harder. We stew in old regrets, brace for future disasters, cling to how things should be, or take everything way too personally. Sound familiar?

In this talk, I dig into the Buddha’s teaching on dukkha—the unavoidable pain of life—and how we add unnecessary suffering on top through craving.

But here’s the good news: you can practice your way out of that extra suffering. I’ll walk you through four telltale signs of craving—and four powerful shifts you can make to feel stronger, calmer, and more at peace:

ONE: Contraction → Openness
Notice when you're tight, tense, and gripped—and gently open up to spaciousness and possibility.

TWO: Invasive Negative Emotions → Mindful Presence
Don’t get hijacked by old fears or frustrations. Name them, make room for them, and let them pass through.

THREE: Mental Time Travel → Present-Moment Awareness
Come back from ruminating about the past or catastrophizing the future. This moment, right now, is your refuge.

FOUR: Selfing → Perspective and Self-Compassion
Loosen the grip of “me, mine, and I.” Take good care of yourself as a person—without being imprisoned by the stories of the self.

This isn’t about bypassing pain—it’s about developing the inner resources to meet life as it is, with more equanimity, compassion, and ease.