Spiritual Activism and a Call to End White Silence

(Trigger Warning)

Dear fellow white and white-passing meditators,

Meditation is not just a technique to release stress and improve personal wellbeing. It's a tool to awaken to our interconnection with all things and inspire spiritual activism for collective wellbeing.

Our practice is for establishing oneself in Being, and then performing Action for the need of the time. We meditate to integrate the benefits of Being into our eyes-open waking state not simply for ourselves, but in service of our relationships and the collective.

It's about We, not I; We-llness, not I-llness. We cannot truly be well until we are all well. Collective care is self care. The current pandemic has made this quite evident.

Meditation alone isn't a solution for collective wellbeing. We also need knowledge (clarity of truth) and human connection (empathy) to understand and inspire right Action (compassion). Collective compassion is what's required of us to create collective wellbeing and planetary peace.

To lead with compassion requires us to look inward and shed light on the darkest parts of ourselves, both individually and collectively. We can only heal what we feel. It’s not about staying seated ignorantly in bliss to avoid ‘negativity.’ We are householders engaged in the world, not escapist monks after all.

One of the greatest barriers to collective wellbeing is structural racism. This epidemic has been exposed more in recent years through the efforts of the Black Lives Matter movement and video evidence from phone cameras. Also, recent data shows how the coronavirus exposed health disparities in communities of color as a result of structural racism. The rate at which Covid-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color is alarming.

This week in particular has been very challenging with the recent murder of George Floyd and violent antagonism of Amy Cooper. Video footage is waking up more white folx to the reality and frequency of hate crimes, police brutality, state sanctioned murder, weaponized privilege, and the prison-industrial complex that have been killing and traumatizing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) generation after generation for centuries.

Innocent people being killed for the color of their skin, like Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd (may they all Rest in Peace & Power), is the result of a structural system of white supremacy that stays in place due to white silence and apathy. This collective illness that prevents BIPOC from being safe, living well, and thriving is the problem of white folx — you and me.

Here is a diagram that illustrates the many ways structural racism is upheld through covert white supremacy still deemed socially acceptable.

Image from @theconsciouskid

Yup. It's a lot. See anything familiar? It’s okay if you do. We all have areas to work on as we wake up to this reality.

Structural racism is designed to blind and disconnect white folx from the truth, no matter how liberal or spiritual. The discomfort racism brings up in white folx and the privilege we have to ignore it has kept us silent and apathetic most of our lives, even while BIPOC are fighting for theirs.

To all white and white-passing folx:

We must transcend our silence and apathy. It is our responsibility to act because when we change, the system can change. When we do nothing, we are consenting to the perpetuation of harm.

Here and now is where change begins, and it begins with ourselves. Start with knowledge (educate yourself) to uncover implicit bias and reveal the inner-workings of structural racism. Knowledge brings clarity of action.

Feeling uncomfortable, unsure, or overwhelmed reading this? Be with the discomfort. You'll be okay.

Here's what works for me as a daily practice that you can adopt.

Framework for daily anti-racism practice:

1. Meditate to let go of stress and establish the mind in Being
2. Educate yourself to unlearn, understand, empathize & change
3. Act for accountability, solidarity, and justice (don’t stay silent)

To help you get started with #2 and #3, I've added a new book to the recommended reading list called Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. I can’t recommend this book enough. Please purchase it and put it at the top of your reading list. It's a powerful 28-day workbook that will illuminate your blindspots and inspire action. If it’s sold out on Amazon, try another book store or download it via Audible or Kindle. Get your hands on it.

Then continue the reading. There are many excellent books you can read by BIPOC authors. Some suggestions can be found on the reading list here.

To be clear, I am not an anti-racism expert, so it’s important to do your research and work with BIPOC experts. I recommend taking online classes with anti-racism educators such as Rachel Ricketts, Monique Melton, and Constanza Eliana Chinea. You will learn a lot from them. We must support Women of Color doing the heavy lifting with our power, privilege, and resources ($$). They are out leaders in this work.

There are many more actions to take to help dismantle white supremacy, which you’ll discover when you roll up your sleeves and do the work. Speaking with your family about this and donating to organizations like Black Lives Matter is a good start. It’s an evolving process of learning where you’ll likely make mistakes (like I have). Don’t let fear of making mistakes keep you silent. I’ve learned to listen, apologize, correct, and do better. The wellness industry being white-centered is an elephant in the room that I’ll speak to specifically in another post soon.

Also, please avoid reaching out to your BIPOC friends for clarity and answers as you may unintentionally cause them harm. It’s also traumatic for BIPOC to continue seeing pics and videos of black people dying on white people’s social media feeds, so please don’t do it. Please do your work and then only post valuable content that will help break white silence. Always site your BIPOC sources and give credit where it’s due.

If you're white and feeling triggered or emotional reading this, please give yourself private space to process what you’re feeling. Sharing these emotions publicly has potential to harm BIPOC. The discomfort coming through happened to me and to many white folks. It is a sign of white fragility to work through and build resilience. Something good is happening when you allow yourself to feel and move through any feelings of shame or guilt. I go through it myself. It can come in waves. Rather than ignoring what you’re feeling, read the recommended books and work through it. You got this. I believe in you.

Reach out to me anytime if you’d like to discuss what’s coming up for you.

9 Shelter In Place Habits to Feel Calm & Boost your Immune System

(7 minute read)

In times with COVID, we see just how important our health and wellbeing really is. It’s become apparent to more people now that self care is collective care; the wellbeing of our community is reflected by the wellbeing of each individual and the choices we each make.

Since our modern lifestyle isn’t set up for us to have well-balanced health, we have to work for it. The good news is that taking matters into your own hands is empowering and can actually be fun to explore with a curious mind. We can see this as an opportunity to experience life in a new way that is exciting rather than frightening.

In addition to social distancing and washing your hands, here are some practices to help you feel calm, boost your immune system, minimize your risk of illness, and increase your bounce-back rate. They have personally worked wonders for me during cold and flu seasons.

Please note: This is not medical advice, so always consult your medical practitioner for personalized protocol first.

1. Meditate twice daily. Vedic Meditation is a health game-changer, which is why it’s #1 on the list. This technique is known for its calming effect and stress reducing benefits, which is critical for immunity.

   Research shows that almost every system in the body can be influenced by stress. It raises catecholamine and suppressor T cells levels, which suppress the immune system. When stress goes unreleased, it suppresses the body’s immune response and ultimately manifests as illness. This suppression, in turn raises the risk of viral infection.

   Meditating daily reduces activity of the amygdala, the fear center of your brain. It shifts the brain out of the confusion and chaos of fight-or-flight thinking into a calm and deeply rested state (deeper than sleep). From this deep rest, cortisol levels drop, T cell levels are balanced, inflammation is reduced, and high blood pressure is lowered. Many people who practice it daily find themselves getting sick less often and able to recover from illness more quickly.

   BONUS: It’s also the ultimate habit-supporting habit by improving sleep and reducing the impulse to stress-eat or drink too much.

2. Get solid sleep. Again: get plenty of rest. Without enough rest from sleep and meditation, you are increasing your chances of getting sick. A research study done at the University of California, San Francisco showed that test subjects who had regularly slept less than six hours a night were four times more likely to catch the cold compared with those who got more than seven hours of sleep.

   Stress, of course, has cumulative effects on our ability to fall and stay asleep. Exposure to coronavirus news certainly doesn’t help. If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, then meditation can help. It reduces the mental activity from worry and stressful thinking, which can prevent melatonin from releasing from the pineal gland. Most people who practice Vedic Meditation twice daily finds that their sleep improves significantly and consistently.

3. Hydrate and hydrate again. Many of us forget to hydrate throughout the day especially in winter months. Hydration is key to health since it oxygenates your blood, flushes toxins, regulates digestion, and balances our body temperature. Our biology is made up of about 60% water after all.

   Insufficient hydration impacts energy levels and brain function impairing mood and concentration. Headaches, constipation, and kidney stones are a few outcomes of consistently poor hydration.

   Get hydrated from both water and food. Soups and stews are not only hydrating, but nourishing and grounding. Fresh fruit on warm days is a great way to hydrate too. Filtered tap water or fresh spring water is best to minimize intake of heavy metals from old plumbing, as well as chlorine and fluoride additives.

   You can add a squeeze of lemon or lime for flavor and to aid in washing virions off of your pharynx and into your stomach where they can be killed instead of entering your lungs. Don’t overdo it though—too much lemon can impact your tooth enamel. Also, too much purified water alone can actually flush your system too much causing dehydration. Everything in moderation for balance with consistent daily routine is key.

   BONUS: When possible, avoid using plastic bottles, and avoid ice too. Both of these habits are unnecessary in many cases, and taxing on both your body and the environment. Plastic has high potential for leaching and pollutes the environment. Ice can compromise your digestion, and freezing water takes extra energy to make. They’re small conveniences I recommend sacrificing for the greater good when you have the privilege to do so.

4. Be Mindful about media. Notice the quality of what you’re taking. Media influences our thinking and behavior. Are you feeling anxious after watching the news? Paranoid after scary movie? Drained after scrolling through FB or IG? Become aware of how you’re feeling and notice the source. Stop and unfollow content that’s not making you feel good. Follow content that’s helpful, uplifting, and inspiring.

   With so much misinformation out there it’s so important to find quality journalism that’s based in science and facts rather than sensationalized opinions. Notice if and when you may get caught in the hypnosis of media sensationalism or conspiracy theories. It’s quite rampant and can even be addicting. Question the information you hear. Look for cited sources that are credible (this includes me—if you need me to cite something please point it out).

   Prefer to slow down and read something insightful or expansive in paperback? Try a book from my reading list.

5. Reduce sugar intake. Honestly, I just ate a piece of my roommates birthday cake, so I get how tough this one can be, especially if you have a habit of eating sugary snacks as a stress coping mechanism. Do some research and see what it feels like to skip dessert, drink coffee or tea sans sweetener, and avoid packaged foods for two weeks. It might be hard initially, but chances are you’ll feel amazing after a couple weeks.

   A study from Stanford shows that avoiding sugar can help us reduce chronic inflammation, which contributes to the conditions that put us at greater risk for viral infections. It can also help us fight off obesity, which has been found to be linked to the severity of viral infections.

   Dates make a great alternative sweetener for home-cooking. I’ve personally found that my sweet tooth subsides when I’m reducing stress through meditation and eating a health balance of fats, proteins, and carbs for all 3 meals daily.

   A form of sugar that could actually be helpful for respiratory health is the sugar that comes along with Chyavanprash, an Ayurvedic nutritive jam that contains special immune boosting herbs like amalaki fruit, which is a powerful antioxidant high in Vitamin C (10X more than oranges). It has sugar, raw honey, and ghee in it to help the body absorb and metabolize the complete herbal benefits throughout the whole body. This tonic promotes digestion while supporting the body’s natural defenses. A small teaspoon amount each day may keep the doctor away.

   The only time Chyavanprash is not recommended is if you have a lot of toxic build-up in your digestion, which could show up as poor appetite, constipation, chronic inflammation, or IBS. Please consult with your doctor and an Ayurvedic practitioner before ordering and taking.

6. Eat alkaline and grounding food. Steamed or sautéed leafy greens, broccoli, and zucchini are excellent examples of alkaline vegetables healthy for digestion. Not to mention, they’re jam-packed with nutrients like vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc.

   Cooking your veggies is easier for the body to digest than raw, which helps to reduce bloating and anxiety. It also kills any potential pathogens that may have made their way onto the veggies during washing and cutting.

   When there’s a lot of change going on, it’s important to keep the body grounded. Sweet potatoes are super nutritious, taste great, calming for the mind, and grounding for the body.

   Need some new recipes? Try my Ayurvedic oatmeal recipe and kitchari recipe for optimum digestion.

7. Get moving outside. If you have access to fresh air, sunlight and greenery, this combo will be so helpful for your mind and body during social distancing. As mammals, we naturally have an innate need to connect not only with our friends and family, but with nature and our inner selves too. Human experience is in relation to everything.

   Always follow social distancing protocol, even if it’s only a 15 minute stroll through a nearby park. Wearing a mask to reduce risk of exposure is essential.

   We need sunlight to create Vitamin D in our bodies, which is a fat soluble nutrient essential to the health and functioning of your immune system. Vitamin D enhances the pathogen fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages — white blood cells that are important parts of your immune defense — and decreases inflammation, which helps promote immune response. Of course, too much sun leads to sunburn, so be mindful about using sun protection. Hats, shade, and limiting sun between 11am-3pm is the healthiest approach. Sunscreen is recommended as a last resort due to the concern for chemicals absorbing into the bloodstream and polluting the environment. Although better to protect than get burnt.

   Surrounding yourself in natural greenery is shown to be beneficial too. A study from Stanford found that young adults who walked for an hour through campus parkland were less anxious afterward and performed better on a test of working memory than if they had strolled along a busy street.

8. Garden. Building off of the last one, gardening allows us to reconnect with nature on a deeper level. It helps us to slow down, get present, and regain perspective. Connecting with the earth by getting our hands in the soil or feet in the grass is energetically grounding, and is shown to reduce anxiety and boost happiness.

   Microbes from garden soil are great for your microbiome too. Did you know that microbes from soil are actually a primary source of Vitamin B? Wild! It’s where animals get Vitamin B, which then shows up in sources of animal protein. If we over-sterilize our veggies it removes that essential Vitamin B we can receive from vegetables. Growing your own food is shown to improve digestion, which in turn boosts immunity.

9. Have FUN! Don’t take this, yourself, or anything too seriously. We have a serious responsibility not to be so serious. Although respect is important, and Shelter in Place is all about respecting our communities, let’s find the fun in it. Don’t let social distancing get you down. Play play play. 

   Play is a great way to shake things up and break free from old patterns of thinking and doing. Play boardgames with your kids. Put on a costume. Have a spontaneous living room dance party. Get present. Get creative. Make art. Play music. Let your inner child loose.

   Got a fun idea? Share in the comments!

5 Tips for Blissful Travel

Flying used to give me such anxiety that I dreaded the idea of going to the airport. The ticket booking, the packing, going through security, and boarding the plane was a surefire way to get my cortisol shooting through the roof.

Meditation changed all that. It keeps me calm before, during and after travel, and also helps reduce jet-lag. Now I look forward to flying and find being 40,000 feet in the air surprisingly blissful.

Flying not only affects the mind, but is also tough on the body. The rapid change in elevation, the 500 mph plane speed, the increased solar radiation exposure, the drop in atmospheric cabin pressure, the electro-magnetic frequencies and radiation from the plane technology, and the turbulence (not to mention the dry, cold, recycled cabin air) all combine to make a rather demanding energy suck on the body. This makes it much harder to adapt to change without going into a stress reaction.

To mitigate the negative effects of travel, here are 5 recommended actions that I’ve found to work well for me. I’m on a plane at least once a month and wouldn’t be able to keep up with so much travel without these 5 tips. Try them out, and let me know how it goes for you!

1. Join the Mile-High Meditation Club

Have you meditated on a plane yet? It’s pretty awesome. There’s something quite peaceful about meditating 7 miles up. It’s a total game-changer for those longer flights because it boosts the immune system so you’re less susceptible to catching a cold, and it boosts energy to mitigate post-flight exhaustion and reduce jet-lag. Something about transcending in meditation helps reset our internal clock so we can get in the right timezone more quickly.

This year I flew to Europe and India with virtually no jet-lag on both trips. I timed my meditations during the flights to give me energy to stay awake at the right times so I could adjust to the new timezone upon arrival. The general travel strategy is to meditate during take off, for periods of time throughout the flight, and during landing. The longer the flight, the more you can meditate. Because flying is so demanding on the body, it’s one of the times I recommend meditating more than twice a day and for however long you wish. For example, if you’re flying between NYC and SF, you might meditate 6 or 7 times — once at take off, 4 or 5 times inflight, and once again at landing. There’s nothing like arriving at your destination freshly meditated. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

2. Bring a Hot Water Thermos

Hydrating with hot water is your second best friend while traveling. Put an empty thermos in your carry-on bag. Then before getting on the plane, visit a coffee shop in the terminal and kindly ask them to fill your thermos with hot water. Bring it with you on the plane and sip on it periodically throughout the flight. Hot water is very calming and soothing for the nervous system.

It’s best not to drink hot water from the airplane because the water quality is so poor. The right thermos is also important to consider. Glass with a protective sleeve is ideal. Stainless steel is the next best option. Plastic and aluminum containers are to be avoided due to potential toxicity leaching.

3. Protect your Nose, Fingers and Toes

Protect your nose from airborne toxins and dryness by applying a drop of nasya oil in each nostril. This is something I practice everyday whether I’m flying or not. I’ve found it to be super helpful especially in the winter when we’re most susceptible to airborne illness. You can learn more about different types and proper used of nasya oil HERE.

For your fingers and toes, wear a pair of thick socks, extra layers and a warm hat. You never know how cold it might get, especially on those longer flights. If you’re too cold on a plane it increases anxiety and compromises your immune system so you’ll be more likely to get sick.

4. Fast and B.Y.O.B. (Butter, that is.)

To optimize your body’s energy, it’s best to minimize digestion while flying. Fast from food and stick to water (hot and room temp) while flying if you can. Before you get to the airport, have a nice hot meal at home (like this oatmeal or this kitchari). In case you get hungry or don’t want to fast, bring healthy snacks with you that are grounding, easy to digest, and easy to travel with. Soft fruits like bananas and organic nuts butters work well.

Now if you really want to try something unique (and I find super helpful), bring a small container of organic ghee with you (less than 4 oz.) and put a teaspoon of it in your hot water inflight. This will nourish and ground your nervous system like nothing else. The healthy fats in ghee do a body good!

5. Book a window seat

We live on a magnificent planet. Sitting by the window is a wonderful opportunity to earth gaze and appreciate the beauty. Notice the vastness of nature. How many shades of blue can you detect? What cloud formations are occurring? Perhaps there’s a sunrise, a sunset, or city lights to admire? Let the beauty stimulate your senses. The ombre fade of a rising or setting sun helps recalibrate our circadian rhythm. It can also have a wonderful calming effect, drawing out the bliss from meditation into the eyes open waking state. Plus, you never know, nature might just put on a fabulous show for you.

Travel Tips Step-by-Step:

1. Have packed and ready in your carry-on:

• Empty thermos

• Nasya Oil (less than 4 oz container) - Purchase Here

• Organic Ghee (less than 4 oz container)

• Organic Snacks: bananas, almond butter, pistachios, etc.

• Warm Layers: thick socks, sweater, warm hat

2. Meditate before you arrive at the airport (at home or on the way in your cab ride)

3. Make sure thermos is empty before security check

4. Fill up thermos with hot water at coffee shop in the terminal

5. Put a teaspoon of ghee to melt in hot water

6. Meditate through take off

7. Hydrate, Earth gaze, meditate, repeat

8. Meditate through landing

VIDEOS

3 THOUGHTS THAT KEEP YOU FROM MEDITATING

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HOW VEDIC MEDITATION WORKS WITH A MANTRA

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HOW TO EXPERIENCE 200% HAPPINESS

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YOUR BRAIN IS A BLISS FACTORY

8 Meditation Myths Debunked

When I first became curious about meditation 10 years ago, I thought, “Where do I start? Do I have to become a monk and shave my head? My mind is crAzy — what if I can’t do it or it doesn’t work for me?” I was an anxiety stricken, over-analytical insomniac who clearly needed to meditate.

When I was first introduced to the idea of meditating, I had many preconceived notions about how it worked. They all turned out to be myths that were actually holding me back from learning and developing a daily practice. Once I learned about Vedic meditation from a trained teacher, the promise of meditation finally became accessible to me. It was a great relief.

So then, let me debunk 8 of the most common meditation myths for you. Perhaps it’ll help you get started with your daily practice too.

Myth #1: You have to sit still with perfect posture

When you learn Vedic meditation, you get to sit comfortably with your back supported and your arms and legs in any comfortable position. No perfect Buddha poses necessary (What a relief!). You can also adjust your position during meditation; there’s no need to be a statue (thank god).

With Vedic meditation in particular, we’re not required to have perfect posture because this technique works better in a relaxed upright position. Forcing perfect posture can cause strain and engage the mind in thinking, rather than activating the benefits of deep rest and relaxation. So sit back and enjoy!

Myth #2: You have to stop your mind from thinking

Thankfully, thoughts are a part of the meditation process. Thinking is completely natural and one of several legitimate outcomes of correct practice. If this weren’t true, there’s no way I’d would’ve been able to do it myself.

Did you know, the average person has anywhere between 50,000–70,000 thoughts per day? Our minds are designed to think, just as our hearts are designed to beat.

A flood of thoughts will arise during meditation after the body has purified itself of some stress. We welcome the release of stress so that we no longer hold onto it and can then enjoy the benefits meditation brings during the day. The clarity, creativity, energy and happiness that comes from meditating is experienced after meditating when stress has released from the body. 

Myth #3: You have to focus

Some styles of meditation require focus and concentration, however in Vedic meditation we do not focus or concentrate. This was such great news when I first learned about it. It’s the perfect technique for us ADD, creative, super busy and over-analytical types. Instead of meditation being another task for us to do everyday, meditation becomes a time for us to let go of all the busy activities we experienced.

When we practice Vedic meditation, we silently repeat a personalized mantra in an effortless way, and spontaneously the mind is able to transcend thought without trying. This technique makes daily meditation approachable and doable for us busy, modern people who already spend so much effort focusing throughout the day. 

Myth #4: It takes a LONG time to get good at it

Great news: your mind naturally knows how to meditate already, but has simply forgotten how. The course in Vedic meditation helps to retrain the intellect so you can allow the nature of your mind and body to move through the natural process of meditation every time.

During the course, you learn how to properly meditate using a time-tested technique. It’s a very easy, natural process with a simple set of instructions that only requires an open mind.

Myth #5: It only works in a quiet, peaceful place

There’s no way anyone could meditate in Manhattan if this were true.

It’s possible to learn how to handle noise and interruptions during meditation so that you can do in a taxi, on the subway, a hotel lobby, park or airplane and still enjoy the benefits.

Rather than needing a sanctuary, you can learn how to become the sanctuary so that you can stop, drop and meditate anywhere you feel safe and comfortable.

Here’s the Meditator's Map to help you start exploring.

 

Myth #6: It’s the same as exercise or making art

Biking and drawing are two of my favorite activities, but they don’t produce the same benefits that meditating does. When we meditate we experience the benefits of stress release through de-excitement of the body, rather than activity that excites the body.

Vedic meditation effortlessly triggers the mind into a state of deeply rested wakefulness (deeper than sleep, yet alert inside). This de-excitement allows for deep-rooted stress to purify from the nervous system.

Elevating the heart rate through exercise or focusing the mind in a creative project doesn’t provide the same depth of restfulness. People who meditate daily report having higher quality experiences while exercising and making art, so meditation can bring even greater joy to your favorite activities.

Myth #7: It’s selfish escapism

I had 99 problems, and then meditation solved like 92 of them. I used to think meditation was a way of escaping your problems, but it’s actually the opposite. Instead, meditation melts away stress and all the irrelevant “would’ve,” “should’ve,” “could’ve” and “what if’s?” circling in the mind.

Also, it’s important to note that the purpose of meditation is not to get good at it, but to get better at life. Meditation reduces stress and gives us the ability to handle difficult situations more calmly and solve problems more quickly.

This enriches the quality of our day-to-day life, our work and relationships. When we enjoy life more, it positively impacts everyone we come into contact with. In this way, meditation becomes an selfless act of service for yourself and others.

Myth #8: You have to change your lifestyle or beliefs

When you learn Vedic meditation, you are not required to change anything about your beliefs or lifestyle. There’s no dogma involved in learning or benefiting from the technique. Vedic knowledge is truly universal and all-inclusive.

Did you know that meditation is both spiritual and scientific?

Vedic meditation is a spiritual technique, which means that it gives you a direct experience of your essence — that which exists beyond thought and beyond the senses. Imagine if you were to remove all thoughts in your mind right now. What would be left is your essence. It’s the gap between your thoughts.

Meditation doesn’t work on the level of faith or trust, but direct experience. We approach it as research without needing to believe that it’ll work. Like a scientific study, we follow a specific procedure to see what evidence shows up as a result of carrying out the research of twice daily practice.

Curious to learn more? 

Join Hunter for a free Intro Talk

In Response to the 2016 Election

 

8 Tips for How to Respond

1. Give what you wish to receive. Be the change you wish to see. When we give time to our meditation practice, it gives back to us the energy, clarity, creativity and fulfillment we need to personally address the greatest need of our time. Leap into the unknown, lead with love and become radically inclusive.

2. Increase your consciousness. Vedic meditation is an incredibly effective and effortless tool for each of us to upgrade our own state of consciousness on a daily basis. Don't underestimate the power of this technique when you practice everyday. When we meditate we are not only benefiting ourselves, but we are also raising the average state of collective consciousness. In this way, meditation is a form of selfless service, of Action hardly done to subtly, but significantly contribute to progressive change. Continue getting to the chair twice a day, if not for yourself, then for the world.

3. Take responsibility for your own thoughts and actions. We must take personal responsibility for what we are experiencing. Blaming someone else for your own experience puts you in a tailspin of the ever-repeating known. To progress and transform we must learn the lessons in front of us and adjust our thinking to then take the next right action.

4. See things for what they are and stop ignoring what you know. Develop your ability to see what's coming with greater accuracy. To do this, we must follow that intuitive charm-like feeling arising within after meditation. Don't allow your intellect to drive your decision-making. When in doubt, meditate and see what comes to you afterwards. This takes time and practice to master.

5. Continue expanding your awareness to see the full picture. We must transcend our limited perspectives through meditation (not media) and step outside of our bubbles to experience a larger view of the world. Only then can you see things for what they really are.

See major media for what it really is: a hypnotic tool to influence the behavior of the masses for profit. One day they tell you a walnut tree is producing walnuts, then next day they tell you the same walnut tree is now producing mangos. Do not be fooled by the rhetoric used to wash over and normalize bigotry.

6. Create grassroots change. The leader of any country is really a follower of the collective, a reflection of the people. We need to change the collective, not the leader. The change first begins with us taking personal responsibility for our own state of consciousness, then we can inspire others to do the same.

7. Lead by example. Continue meditating everyday and spontaneously you become a great example of a higher consciousness state. The world needs more of this and you have the tool to do it. The few lead the many and as daily meditators we naturally come into playing this leadership role within our communities. By being your freshly-meditated-self, you will inspire friends, family and colleagues to also uplift their own state of consciousness. This is a grass-roots effort we can so easily and independent engage in everyday to make our world a better place.

8. Be happy from the inside out. Don't allow the world around you to inform what you are. True happiness is not dependent upon external circumstances. Allow your inner state of Being to inform what you are. Bliss is your baseline. Awaken unconditional fulfillment from within and Act from that place.

Recommended Reading

Please enjoy these books to support your meditation practice. While meditation is our tool for upgrading our ‘hardware,’ knowledge becomes our tool for upgrading our 'software.' Both technique and knowledge go hand-in-hand to develop your full mental potential.

PERSONAL WELLBEING

DAILY READ

AYURVEDA

CREATIVITY

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SCIENCE-BASED READING

MEDITATION

NEUROSCIENCE

CONSCIOUSNESS

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SPIRITUAL ACTIVISM

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Radical Dharma by Rev angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens with Jasmine Syedullah

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VEDIC TEXTS

ITIHAS (exemplary mythos)

ADDITIONAL VEDIC TEXTS

MODERN HISTORY

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The Meditator's Map

Find a Place to Stop, Drop, and Meditate in NYC or SF

Noise and location are no barrier

You are the sanctuary

Comfort and safety are key

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FIND IT ON THE MAP

OR

SIT ON-THE-GO

3 Simple Steps to Become a Daily Meditator

Become self-sufficient in meditation, receive expert instruction, personalized support, and connect with conscious community.

STEP 1.

ATTEND A FREE INTRO TALK

Learn about the neuroscience behind why this technique of meditation is so powerful. There is no cost to attend and no obligation to join the course. This is a chance for you to meet Hunter, learn how the course works and get your questions answered.

STEP 2.

TAKE THE VEDIC MEDITATION COURSE

During the course you'll learn the Vedic Meditation technique for life. You'll receive a personalized mantra and learn how to use it correctly. You'll learn the strategy to blend daily meditation into modern living and how to meditate anywhere safe and comfortable. You'll also learn about the mind-body dynamics of meditation and the hallmarks of personal growth with daily practice.

STEP 3.

ENJOY A LIFETIME OF GROUP MEDITATIONS, SUPPORT & COMMUNITY

Gain lifetime access to our free group meditations within our worldwide community. You'll also have access to retake the course as many times as you'd like and be able to check in with Hunter whenever you have questions. You also become eligible for advanced courses.