About My Meditation Practice
In high school, I was an overachieving book geek. Some things haven’t changed! What has changed is my ability to manage my mental health. As a teenager, I suffered from severe anxiety and depression. At sixteen, my battle with mental illness landed me in the hospital. My parents took me to an extraordinary psychologist who taught me meditation as a form of therapy. To this day, I credit my meditation practice with helping me survive that very dark and turbulent period of my life.
At sixteen, I began practicing mindfulness meditation as a way to cope with day to day stress. Later in my twenties, I discovered Modern Buddhism as taught by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of The New Kadampa Tradition. Since then, I have attended multiple international teachings, workshops and retreats, including a 30-day retreat in the seclusion of the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York.
Today, I sit on the Board of Directors of Kadampa Meditation Center Georgia and teach meditation classes and workshops for beginners.
Looking back at the sixteen year old me, I know that meditation saved my life. It gave me a peace of mind I didn’t know was possible, and helped me deal with the overwhelming emotions I was experiencing.
If you wish to start a meditation practice, below are some resources I have found helpful.
If you are someone struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Life is our most precious possession.