How to Find Fulfillment (with Sarah McLean)

Photo by Isaac Hernandez

Editor’s Note: The following is a conversation between Cat and her meditation teacher Sarah McLean. This is truly an inspiring piece. As I was editing this interview, I felt an inner shift happening within me and with it came a sense of serenity and peace. Hope this inspires you as it did for me. Sarah is truly an incredible and powerful human being. I look forward to learning from her. Don’t miss the giveaway at the end of this interview.

By Cat Li Stevenson

“Meditation is an essential travel partner
on your journey of personal transformation.
Meditation connects you with your soul,
and this connection gives you access to your intuition,
your heart­felt desires, your integrity,
and the inspiration to create a life you love.”
~Sarah McLean

A few years ago my husband and I drove to Sedona, Arizona to seek out a private mediation session.

At that time, I was embarking on a self-discovery journey, in deep inquiry about how to lead a more meaningful life. I had this fundamental restlessness that no longer had me fully engaged in daily life – I was uninspired by the complicated upkeep of the corporate hustle that was rewarded solely by material comforts.

Something was off. And I was seeking for answers.

With a mouthful of questions and ambiguity, I began to search outside for purpose and change: Should I move out of the country and teach English in Taiwan? Should I switch careers locally? Should I start a family?

Tucked away at the top of a mystical red mountain in Sedona, we arrived at the studio of meditation teacher, Sarah McLean. Though meditation wasn’t new to us, Sarah’s modern translation of meditation – coupled with our own thirst for change – sparked an inner exploration.

In the hour we spent with her, Sarah’s casual style, relate-ability, and guidance reoriented us to seek out a new life path.

Since leaving Sedona that afternoon, I have stopped looking outside for fulfillment: I wouldn’t move out of the country. I wouldn’t switch careers. I wouldn’t start a family.

I would, instead, become more still, contemplative, reflective … and take my attention inwardly. Not too long thereafter, my inner growth would manifest into external life-changing decisions (look for this new post next week).

Sarah’s practical guidance, as a mentor, has been influential in attuning to my inner wholeness. When she provided me a copy of her new book, you can imagine how excited I was to have this opportunity to share her inspirational wisdom with you—my TSN Family.

In Sarah McLean’s new book, Soul Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks With Meditation (Hay House), she offers a practical program, on a weekly basis, that instructs readers on how to explore our own awareness with mindfulness practices.

She provides bite-size, daily exercises that can ultimately transform the way we experience our lives with more ease and fulfillment. Alongside simple instructions for cultivating our inner world, she also generously shares her fascinating meditation journey.

The following is a conversation I recently had with Sarah, about life, fulfillment and the power of meditation:

1. How did meditation transform your life?

Question: Sarah, how long have you been a meditator? How did meditation transform your life?

I have been a meditator for 22 years, though I wanted to learn to meditate years before that. I just didn’t know where to turn.

I was a sad, stressed, confused young woman, and I searched everywhere-even traveling to other continents-to find peace and relief.

When I finally found meditation, it was the key to transforming my life—from one of suffering and pain to one of inner fulfillment.

My meditation practice helped me to know who I really am, what I truly want, and find that peace I had always searching for “out there”.

I am certainly living a fulfilling life now, and have been for years—a peaceful, satisfying and magical life—one beyond my wildest dreams!

2. Why Do We Struggle with Life Purpose?

Question: In your book, you outline an 8-week plan to a more meaningful life. What do you think is the main reason we struggle to live purposeful lives?

I believe the reason we struggle to live purposely is that what we prioritize in our life changes.

When we are very young all of us are basically joyous, free, and engaged with the moment at hand. There is an interconnection with our internal world – with what we feel, think, and desire – as well as with our environment. And this interconnection keeps our attention fully engaged in each moment.

By the time we’re 8 or 10 years old, our focus begins its shift. Instead of easily focusing inwardly on our own sensations, thoughts, and feelings as we had done as younger children, we begin to prioritize the external world with its variety, dynamism, and ever-changing landscape.

And by prioritizing the external world, our center-point begins its shift and our point of reference becomes the external world. This external world charms us as we wait for the next thing to see, to do, or to accomplish, or the next relationship.

So not only has our focus made its shift from the internal world to the external world, but the focus also shifts away from the present moment and our innate ability to be fulfilled with what is happening in the moment at hand and the joyous journey of our lives.

The focus is now on the future—waiting for the next moment as we struggle to reach our imagined goal, destination or whatever we perceive will MAKE us happy.

We are no longer fulfilled with the moment and feeling interconnected with our internal world and all that is supporting our life. This causes a subtle persistent discomfort. And, unfortunately, most of us continue to look externally for ways to address it.

Everyone wants to be happy, free, and fulfilled. And, here’s the thing, we already are – our soul, our being is naturally like that. And it is creative, wise, patient and loving too.

We can rediscover this aspect of ourselves by shifting our awareness back inside, into our inner world with the creating of an internally guided life.

It’s not that you have to sit around and meditate all day, but if you set aside some time for a meditative practice, a practice where you turn your attention inward, stay in the present moment, and focus on one thing at a time.

This facilitates the connection with your peaceful center-point on a regular basis, helping to re-establish the internal reference point – the connection to your soul.

Regular practice is how you become soul-centered, happy, fulfilled and creative.

3. What Is Transformation?

Question: The word transformation seems big – grandiose – what do you mean by transformation?

Transformation isn’t an exaggeration of reality or an absurd concept. Transformation isn’t an accomplishment. However transformation is impressive.

Transformation unfolds, naturally. You can’t will it. Instead, it has its own timing and intelligence and is guided by intent: like a seed growing into a seedling, a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, a bird hatching out of an egg, a rosebud in fully blooming.

The difference between making a change and undergoing a transformation is vast: a change can be temporary, and you can will it as you change your hair-color or your clothes or your name. You can always change back.

But transformation is evolutionary, and supported by all things.

There is no going back.

4. Soul Centered?

Question: And what does it mean to be soul-centered?

I came up with the term “soul-centered” to describe a shift in perspective which meditation cultivates: a transformation of the vantage point for one’s life. I’ve seen it in my students and in my own life. And there wasn’t a word for it.

For example: how do you answer the question, “How are you?” Many of us look to our external world to determine the response. We base how we’re doing on outside factors such as our relationship status, our work life, our state of health or wellbeing, our financial situation, and sometimes even on worldwide events.

With daily meditation, the external world begins to lessen its grip on your attention. Instead, you begin the inward focus and connect to your essence, your awareness, or what some people call “the soul.”

Though it’s always been there, your inner world often overshadowed by the external world. Meditation helps you to experience your inner world and how you feel, what you think and who you are – your soul. And you bathe in the soul’s qualities of peacefulness, stillness, creativity, wisdom, acceptance, and more self-awareness on purpose.

With this practice, this soul’s connection becomes more prevalent in your awareness—no longer overshadowed by external conditions. You begin to live with more internal awareness and your soul’s qualities are more dominant.

This transforms your perspective. So when you go to answer the question “How are you?” you don’t look toward externals. Instead, your reference point is internal. You check in. This is what being soul-centered means.

5. Science & Meditation

Question: What has science taught us about meditation?

Let’s face it, science hasn’t really taught us much about meditation, but what it has done is to confirm what meditators have been saying all along: that meditation is good for you!

And they’ve done meditation a good service, as this makes meditation more attractive to the general populace: those who may have previously been mystified by meditation and its attraction.

The outer world has been explored and much of it conquered, so as scientists are wont to do, they are finding new frontiers. And it’s now the inner world that has captured their attention. This is due to technology and the ability to measure deeper into the brain.

Years ago it was found that meditation helped with people’s physical issues, lowering their blood pressure, sleeping better, enhancing their immunity, etc. Then, it was found that meditation relieved mental issues like depression, lack of focus, addictions, or difficulty making decisions.

Over the last ten years or so, the new focus is the actual brain – or what’s called neuroplasticity. They see that meditation can actually change the physical structure—the gray matter—of the brain.

And not only do the changes occur while in meditation, but they last long after the meditation is over. They are finding that the areas of the brain change—the stress-response area of the brain shrinks (the amygdala) and the self-awareness area of the brain increases its folds (the insula).

These findings show beyond a doubt why those who meditate really do experience more compassion, more self-awareness, and less stress.

6. Transformation For Normal People

Question: You’ve had a pretty amazing spiritual journey – living in a Zen Buddhist monastery, meditating in ashrams, temples throughout India and the Far East – can we accomplish a similar transformational life in our ordinary routines?

Funny, when I first learned to meditate, I had this poem from T.S. Elliot cut out and pasted to my wall:

We shall not cease from exploration,
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started,
And know the place for the first time.

My journey took me all over the world. I loved where I went, the people I met, and the experiences I had, and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

However, the time I spent on planes, trains, buses, tuk-tuks and wagons, hiking and riding my bike throughout the remote areas of the world seeking wholeness, could have been spent exploring my inner terrain at home. You know the saying, Wherever you go, there you are. It’s true.

I was dissatisfied with my life, and I was motivated to find peace and fulfillment.

What I didn’t know then was that the external world is not where I’d find the answers to many of the questions I traveled with, such as Who am I? What are the mysteries of this life? What do I want? How can I be happy? How can there be peace?

I didn’t even imagine that the answers would be found when I quieted my mind, when I shifted my focus internally, and could be had without leaving my room.

It was often after some time of silently sitting in meditation that many of the ah-ha moments arrived.

Franz Kafka illustrates what I am suggesting: “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”

7. Who Am I?

Question: I remember when my husband and I first met with you for our meditation session, you asked us to reflect on the question, “Who Am I?” Throughout your book, you ask your readers to reflect on many questions – ­How does inquiry and meditation, together, play a role in transformation?

When you ask the question, “Who am I?” who is doing the asking? And who is it asking?

Who am I is a koan, a question that stops the mind’s rational response.

So, that instead of responding with reason, you dive into a deeper realm, the realm of being. When you do that, you begin to transform the way you see life and the reference point for all activity.

Who is the one reading this right now? Where does my awareness arise from? Ask and you begin a dialogue with something other than your intellect.And this gives you the direct experience of your soul, your being.

8. Meditation For Busy People

Question: We’re all so busy. Now in addition to eating well and going to the gym, I need to fit in one more wellbeing tool—-meditation. And you suggest 30 minutes/twice a day? Is there a secret to how to fit it into your life?

I’ve found, and so have my students, that when you fit in 20-30 minutes of meditation first thing in the morning, then your entire day goes more smoothly.

If you can’t do that, five minutes once a day will show some benefits. You see, meditation creates a settling of the mind and body, and relieves stress that has built up over time. This has an effect on your whole life.

Think about it, how long do you wait in line at Starbucks? How long do you spend surfing the Internet? Set your priorities. Give yourself the same amount of time to do something that will garner proven results – results that will ultimately transform your life.

Special Promotion

If this interview spoke to you, grab a copy Soul-Centered and actually try the bit size exercises from the book. Witness as your life transforms in an extraordinary way by integrating meditation into your daily ritual.

SPECIAL PROMOTION: If you order a copy of Soul-Centered by May 15^th email a copy of your confirmation to Sedonameditation@gmail.com and Sarah’s team will send you a copy of her Guided Meditation CD as a FREE GIFT ($20 Value).

Giveaway for You

We are giving away 5 copies of Sarah’s book Soul Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks With Meditation and beautiful Meditation CD to 5 people. Do you want one?

To Enter: Leave a comment below. In your comment, you can answer the question: “How do you want to feel?”

Alternative entries: tweet this article and leave a link to your tweet in the comment below.

Entries into the giveaway will close on May 31, 2012 at 8am PST. Make sure to use a real email address in the comments (Only TSN editors will see your email). If you’re a winner and we do not hear from you in 3 days, we will redraw.

Before you go: If you found this article helpful, please share it on Facebook, RT on twitter. Follow us on facebook and twitter. Subscribe to receive email updates. Thank you for your support!

More About Sarah

Sarah McLean is an inspiring contemporary meditation teacher, makes meditation accessible to everyone. She has been featured in the New York Times, and Phoenix Woman magazine calls her “an inspirational and dynamic teacher”

She has been teaching meditation since the early 90s and has worked with some of today’s great teachers, including Deepak Chopra, Byron Katie, Debbie Ford, and Gary Zukav.

To learn more about Sarah McLean and the retreats she’s created, you can visit Soul Centered, Sedona Meditation and Join her on Facebook.

how to find fulfillment in life, how to find fulfillment, finding fulfillment in life, think simple now, how to find fulfillment in your life, how to find fullfillment in life, how to find inner fulfillment, how to get fulfillment in life, meditate, meditation

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67 Responses (67 Comments, 0 Trackbacks ):

Comments

1. Anne

   May 06 12, 5:50 pm PDT

   1

   I’d love to try the meditation program and feel more centered and the joy of living a meaningful life in alignment with my purpose.

2. Kristen

   May 06 12, 6:37 pm PDT

   2

   I’d like to feel calm, energetic and purposeful.

3. Raymond

   May 06 12, 9:20 pm PDT

   3

   Again, another great article by the TSN team, you guys always give me something abstract to ponder about every now and then. In response to this article; I would like my mind to feel limitless. What I mean is being able to stay true to my personal values and allowing myself to to let go of stress that doesn’t matter. Maybe I’ll take up mediation…because hey we all have a couple of minutes every day right? :)

4. Marija

   May 06 12, 11:14 pm PDT

   4

   I want to feel fulfilled and still. Reading this article, I realize that the book might be just what I need. I really hope I could win a copy and work on transforming my life.

5. Stress relief information

   May 07 12, 12:08 am PDT

   5

   Social entrepreneurialism was associated with nonprofit organizations in the past. But now-a-days the concept has been changed and it creates for profit heart-based business ventures.

6. Margaret

   May 07 12, 12:41 am PDT

   6

   As an aging woman, I sometimes feel that I have become ‘invisible’ in the world. I would like to feel visible to myself. Maybe Sarah’s book is the tool that would enable me to find myself again.

7. Jessica

   May 07 12, 4:26 am PDT

   7

   I was captivated by the short article and have been looking for more inner-focus and wishing to enjoy the beauty of the small moments in life. With two young daughters, a business, a busy husband and revamping our home, I have felt as if I’m a hamster in a wheel for the last year. I want to feel at peace and connected with my inner soul! :-) Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

8. Jessica

   May 07 12, 4:29 am PDT

   8

   I want to feel connected and able to immerse myself in life’s little moments. With two young daughters, a small business, a busy husband and revamping our home, I have felt like a hamster in a wheel for the last year. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and I look forward to reading the book!

9. Callene Rapp

   May 07 12, 4:33 am PDT

   9

   Interesting post. I’ve been thinking there is something missing from how I live my life for a while now, I’m always reacting instead of acting, and my focus is like that of a flea with ADD. I’m curious to see if this would help.

10. Callene Rapp

    May 07 12, 4:35 am PDT

    10

    And I guess I proved my point: I didn’t focus on the instructions enough to realize I needed to answer the question “How do you want to feel?” I’d like to feel like I’m centered instead of being cast along like a leaf in the wind.

11. Amandah

    May 07 12, 4:40 am PDT

    11

    So true. I’ve purchased (from HayHouse authors) many meditation CDs and MP3s over the years. Some are five minutes long; others are 20-30 minutes long. Listening to a ‘guided’ meditation doesn’t work for me anymore; the person’s voice seems to get in the way of my stillness. But I enjoy listening to sounds or vibratory meditation that’s supposed to ‘raise’ you vibration.

    Meditation isn’t difficult. But the Western culture frowns upon being still. Even as children we’re taught to always be doing and doing and doing. Perhaps, if children were ‘to be still,’ we wouldn’t have all of the issues we have in the world. People would be able to find the solutions to their problems easily and effortlessly.

    I liked what Deepak Chopra wrote in that last chapter of his book, “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.” He wrote how he taught his children how to meditate when they were four-years-old. He also taught them not to worry about making a living. Deepak wanted them to focus on finding out their unique talents were and how they could be used to help others. I’ve read and re-read Deepak’s words over and over again.

    How many of us would have benefited from leaning meditation as children? How many of us would have benefited from hearing, “Don’t focus on stressing yourself out to get all A’s in school. Instead, focus on discovering your unique talents and how they may help others.” That’s powerful stuff.

    In general, I think people could focus less on finding their life purpose, and instead, focus on being present. Some people ‘tie’ their life purpose to their career. One’s life purpose may not be tied to their career. .

    I believe the future will take of itself. And, there’s no guarantee that tomorrow will come. Most assume they’ll be here for another day. Who knows for sure?

12. Joanne

    May 07 12, 4:41 am PDT

    12

    I wish to feel better balanced and rational. I wish to beat my inner demons that cause me to be vindictive at times, these NEED to be beaten. I think meditation is the tool to resolve this.

13. Nicki

    May 07 12, 4:47 am PDT

    13

    I used to meditate regularly and my life unfolded and moved with ease….and then I allowed life to get in the way and I practiced less and less.

    I have recently reconnected and am looking forward to the ease and unfolding that I experienced before.

14. Aubrey M.

    May 07 12, 4:51 am PDT

    14

    I would love to try meditation. I was introduced to yoga and turns out I love it. I think meditation, especially when guided, could help me be me…the whole me. Often I feel I’m just parts, and that means I’ve never fulfilled because at least one part is always left out or neglected. I need to find a way to blend all my parts at once to be WHOLE, to be ME.

15. The Red Hare

    May 07 12, 4:52 am PDT

    15

    “How do you want to feel?”

    Want’less. To feel complete – and without the nag of “what do I want next?’ Or, like the article talk of, the ‘what’s coming next that might make me happy?’

    I am happy if I remind myself I am. What I’d like to master is to surely know that I am enough :)

16. Erika Bird

    May 07 12, 5:03 am PDT

    16

    How do you want to feel?

    I too have spent years searching the external. I ended up cycling 40,000km and living on the other side of the planet, I changed career and my 15 year relationship didn’t last the distance.
    It was a journey, I didn’t find one answer, but I believe it has lead me internally to a place the place I am now; where I realize I want to feel that I know that little girl who skipped to school. So thanks for your inspiring articles and encouragement to be quiet and just listen to her because I know she does live within me and I can connect to that joyful and loving girl again.

17. Linda Hall

    May 07 12, 5:26 am PDT

    17

    I would like to feel peaceful and balanced. As a working mom, it is hard to find, but every morning I try to focus in on peace and keep that thought as long as possible.

18. Kymberly

    May 07 12, 5:28 am PDT

    18

    I want to feel:
    * light – not weighed down by the unhealthy physical and mental baggage of the past, and not letting pain drag me into the depths of depression/despair.
    * at peace – accepting myself and my situation, letting go of stress and unnecessary worries.
    * powerful and focused – overcoming future challenges that surely will come, and enjoying the process.
    * helpful – because helping other people learn is my calling.
    * centered – staying true to my beliefs, and believing in myself.

    I know meditation does help, especially with the management of chronic pain and illnesses. But the knowledge gets swept away by daily chaos and stress. Tips on how to start and stick with meditation, through the mess of day-to-day life would be most treasured.

19. Amy

    May 07 12, 5:55 am PDT

    19

    I feel inspired! I have been grappling with the same questions in my life, and would love to see if this book can be a tool to answering some of these.

20. Debbie E.

    May 07 12, 6:09 am PDT

    20

    I would like to feel peaceful, centered and insightful…

21. Dalynn

    May 07 12, 6:26 am PDT

    21

    I want to feel at peace with myself, with who I am. I love the thought of meditating on the question, “Who am I?”

22. Lana Davis

    May 07 12, 6:27 am PDT

    22

    I want to feel unconditional love, serenity, peace, stillness and true joy.

23. Laurie

    May 07 12, 6:52 am PDT

    23

    I want to feel at peace with my body and not always trying to lose weight or unhappy with it. I want to appreciate my body for all that it can do vs. all that it can’t. I believe this comes from fear. I would like not to be afraid.

24. Angela

    May 07 12, 7:28 am PDT

    24

    I want to feel whole & complete. To be fully self aware and present everyday, as well, centered and focused on the life lessons ahead of me.

25. MA

    May 07 12, 7:34 am PDT

    25

    I just want to feel happy and peaceful as young child..

26. Karen Beth

    May 07 12, 7:57 am PDT

    26

    How do I want to feel?

    Calm, peaceful, grateful, happy.
    I want to be at peace with everything around me so that I can manifest all the things I’m supposed to bring about in my life.

27. Diane Balch

    May 07 12, 8:12 am PDT

    27

    Be still and know… is one of my favorite quotes. I have been to Sedona many times it is as beautiful of a place as it is powerful for spiritual awakening. Great post.

28. Robin McCain

    May 07 12, 8:20 am PDT

    28

    I want to feel in touch with my soul’s purpose. I want to feel love, peace, happiness and contentment.

29. Tiffany

    May 07 12, 8:24 am PDT

    29

    I want to feel present more often. So many distractions around us on a daily basis and thoughts of the past and future commonly interjecting, it’s difficult to stay present for very long. You are correct, it’s a matter of where we place our priorities.

30. Denise

    May 07 12, 9:33 am PDT

    30

    I want to feel grounded. I find myself drifting from not knowing what my true calling in life is or who I am and who I can be. I find fear is what truly stops me in my tracks. But I really want to dig my heels into earth and stand strong against fear b/c I’m tired of not living to my fullest potential.
    Thank you for the reminder of just how important meditation is!
    ~dh

31. Amy

    May 07 12, 9:40 am PDT

    31

    Quite simply, I want to feel content.

32. Lina

    May 07 12, 10:47 am PDT

    32

    I’ve always wanted to try a regular meditation. I’ve done a few, but they took place in random yoga classes here or there.

    I want to get to know myself better. I am currently trying to finish a PhD program, and through all this stress, I sometimes lose sight of who I am and want to be in this world.

33. Mark

    May 07 12, 11:36 am PDT

    33

    I want to feel, everyday, like I do when I’m on vacation.

    When I’m on vacation, for example, let’s say I’m on a beach… sitting there, with nothing but the waves, sand, sun, then I feel like I’m getting calmness and stability from the external world that fills me up. I’m able to sit there and just be, and my mind wanders and I feel very much at peace.

    But when I return from vacation, it seems that I lose that feeling immediately. I feel my environment and the people around me starting to tug at my being. The external world and it’s demands starts to suck life out of me. The juggling act begins, and balls start to drop. Frustration ensues.

    So I want to learn how to maintain that calmness that I experience on vacation throughout all of the other weeks in the year. Somehow I know that I can achieve it. By structuring my days with meditative time, and leaving weekends free of work. By saying “No” more often to things that will put more unwanted demands on me. By saying “Yes” to things that will replenish me and give me creative energy.

34. Adrienne H.

    May 07 12, 11:39 am PDT

    34

    I want to feel like I’m enjoying the moment and experiences I’m having at the time, and not always feeling like I must get the next task done. If I keep this up, I will keep trying to get to the finish (which I know doesn’t exist) and not have enjoyed a moment of the life I’m living.

35. Biesea

    May 07 12, 5:08 pm PDT

    35

    “How do you want to feel?”

    I want to always feel the endless joy of being in the present. I want to always hear my heart sing.

    Meditation has definintely helped me grow into a calmer and stronger (internally) woman. But I struggle with maintaining the focus and often slip into …confusion. While a large part of it is based in fear, I want to learn how to triumph over this. It is a challenge worth overcoming; a choice worth making.

    Thank you for having a wonderful website with lots of positive insights!

36. biesea

    May 07 12, 5:15 pm PDT

    36

    How do I want to feel

    I want to feel the joy of being in the present moment. I want to always hear my heart singing, and I want to be content, at peace and in harmony with the great universe.

37. emil

    May 07 12, 6:02 pm PDT

    37

    feeling at ease with not knowing would be wonderful.

38. Sunshine

    May 07 12, 10:51 pm PDT

    38

    I love to quite my mind!

39. erica

    May 08 12, 6:32 am PDT

    39

    How do I want to feel? At peace and content with who I am and what I’m doing.

40. Leah

    May 08 12, 8:41 am PDT

    40

    “How do you want to feel?”
    Right now I feel joy. I’m about to end my busy travel season for work (until the fall). In my head I’m picturing reading on my dock on the lake in the morning. The lake is the most calm in morning before all the boats come out. It’s also a great time to kayak and explore. I feel as if I’ve run a marathon and I’m ready to just relax.

41. Ben

    May 08 12, 5:29 pm PDT

    41

    Thankyou, you have definately increased my desire to get back into meditation. It is something I stopped doing as I took on other stuff.

    I want to feel fully connected with myself, fully connected to my own dreams and desires and to feel fully comfortable with myself physically and mentally.

    -Ben

42. Ben

    May 08 12, 5:30 pm PDT

    42

    Thankyou, you have definately increased my desire to get back into meditation. It is something I stopped doing as I took on other stuff.

    I want to feel fully connected with myself, fully connected to my own dreams and desires and to feel fully comfortable with myself physically and mentally..

    -Ben

43. Gonçalo Morais

    May 09 12, 3:32 am PDT

    43

    I want to feel light, I want to jump out of the bed in the morning thrilled with my life, and I want to give more time for life to develop, since I still have decades ahead of me.

44. Ted

    May 09 12, 6:58 am PDT

    44

    Would love to win this book. I learned how to meditate 30 years ago and meditate a few times a week. Would like to meditate more often and think the book would help me feel more content.

45. Ted

    May 09 12, 7:01 am PDT

    45

    I’ve been meditating on and off for the last 30 years. Would like to meditate more consistently as I believe I would feel more content.

46. Caro Franceschi

    May 09 12, 8:38 am PDT

    46

    This article is just want I needed. For the past ten years I was struggling with a debilitating disease that made me focus solely on pain and suffering and my mind was constantly focused on the future, that one day that I would be healthy again. I had a long list of things I wanted to do, places I wanted to visit, goals I wanted to achieve. I went trough major surgery at the end of last year and i am finally healthy and energized. Instead of going out and start doing all the things I said I would. I found myself paralyzed and dont know what to do. I feel a great sense of gratefulness and a longing of giving myself to the world. But the constant question in my mind it’s where do I start? What is my purpose? What it’s my true self? I feel like I been given a second chance and that this book will help me get in contact with my truth and in touch with my higher self. I’m very excited to start this new journey and I feel meditation is the answer that I been asking for.
    Thanks for the amazing article!

47. Li Li

    May 10 12, 1:05 pm PDT

    47

    Another great piece, TSN! I must say this article reminds me of the Alchemist by Paolo Coelho,- its funny how kids have the ‘connection’ to the internal perspective, and we didn’t even realise that when we were young. We were more free-spirited and at ease to pursue what we thought is right for us. Then, it slowly slip off. That feeling- as you put it fittingly, the ‘external world’, we are overwhelmed by the presence of influence, media, etc. Times has also changed, things are so fast-paced now that people seek for instant gratification, everything ‘instant!’.

    thanks for reminding that sometimes, all it takes, is to take a step back and just connect with our own souls- Meditate.

48. Electromagnets

    May 10 12, 10:25 pm PDT

    48

    I’ve been thinking there’s something missing from how I live my life for a while now, I’m always reacting instead of acting, and my focus is like that of a flea with ADD. I’m curious to see if this would help.

49. Jane

    May 10 12, 10:59 pm PDT

    49

    I would like to feel joyful, genuine, loved, loving, self-governed, and grateful. I would like to feel close to Jesus and close to myself. I would really, really like to feel truly happy.

50. Amber

    May 11 12, 12:27 am PDT

    50

    I want to feel… utterly whole.
    Thank you for this piece; it’s very timely for me. Lately I’ve been feeling a bit disconnected and I think it’s related to abandoning my meditation practise whilst I’ve been travelling the past month. In the last couple of days I’ve started up again and I’m already feeling better. This article has re-inspired me!

51. Bea

    May 11 12, 11:21 am PDT

    51

    I want to feel like a plant, absorbing life energy, soaking it up, breathing it in, basking in its light and letting it make me grow big enough to serve my optimal purpose.

    https://twitter.com/#!/callmeSofie/status/201012943754768384

52. Lisa

    May 12 12, 8:40 am PDT

    52

    Thank you for this post, which I happened to read just as I was contemplating how far do I need to get out of NY and my corporate job to find happiness. I knew it was within us, but running away always seemed like the easiest way.

    I would like to feel ‘the flow’. Feel that all falls into place, as long as I remain connected and do not let unnecessary worries get to me. Feel that I am capable doing anything I can dream of.

53. Lynne

    May 12 12, 12:23 pm PDT

    53

    I would love to feel “soul-centered”

54. Roshni

    May 13 12, 4:48 am PDT

    54

    The article was great. I would love to meet my-self.

55. Divya

    May 14 12, 4:10 am PDT

    55

    I’d like to feel content.

56. Olivia

    May 15 12, 7:22 pm PDT

    56

    I want peace more than anything. I want to feel peaceful and happy.

    I have found myself twice in the past two weeks lying in bed completely stressed out. Over little things, over big things…

    I found this whole site one day while feeling overwhelmed by the normal stresses of life, and it’s helped me so much.

    I think meditation is the next direction I need to take. Who knows, I may cave and buy this book before the giveaway is even announced, I need some peace in my life pronto!

57. Ellen

    May 20 12, 7:28 pm PDT

    57

    I want to feel whole, non-grasping, content, peaceful and joyful.

58. Brittany

    May 21 12, 11:51 am PDT

    58

    I want to feel fulfilled. I am 24 and want to really take the reigns of my life from here on out. I began meditating about 2 years ago and meditation definitely created an unstoppable transformation inside me. I am in the next step of my self discovery and that is finding my passion; what fulfills me. I currently am going through my journey of transitioning from my 9-5 job (I document my journey at my blog: alphameditate.wordpress.com) to finding my passion and how I can give back in the world. Reading about Sarah’s 8-week program + your review of her program is more than enough to have me crossing my fingers till the drawing! Thanks for the chance :)

59. Minnie

    May 23 12, 2:20 pm PDT

    59

    Hi, the interview is great. I am currently asking myself this question repeatedly- who am I?

    I am going through a lot of turmoil these days and most days I feel empty inside. I feel I am living without a purpose.

    Though I come from a family who practice meditation, I have never been able to practice meditation. My mind travels a lot, specially on negative side of life, lots of tears, demotivated and confused.

    I always thought that if I had to start meditating – I have to search for a mentor. I very quickly give up.

    Thanks for sharing this interview with us tsn supporters. I would definitely at least try 5 min a day to gradually increasing the time with myself.

    Minnie

60. Joy

    May 25 12, 1:06 am PDT

    60

    I want to be happy and non-affected by the world. I’ve done damage to my spirit and I want to fix it.

61. Luvlee

    May 26 12, 1:12 pm PDT

    61

    I want to feel peaceful and calm whether i’m in the midst of a stressful moment or an enthusiastic moment.

62. Amy

    May 26 12, 8:00 pm PDT

    62

    I’m a scatterminded ADHD college student, intent on finding inner peace. I want to feel calm and collected, and to understand myself and others. I want to overcome fear and stress. I want to relax.

63. Amy

    May 26 12, 8:10 pm PDT

    63

    I am a scatterminded college student. I hope to feel calm and collected at all times, to feel no stress or worries. I want to overcome all my fears, and to be more decisive.

64. Dave

    May 27 12, 10:02 am PDT

    64

    I am in the midst of recovering from years or bipolar 2. My life spirals in different directions and I find moments of peace interspersed with being unfulfilled and lacking a focus. I have kicked medications, radically altered diet to remove toxins and allergens and am revamping daily life to incorporate stillness and reflection to allow me to be the beat version of myself I can be. This article speaks to that and I look forward to reading the book and incorporatin it into my life.

65. Mani Oommen

    Jun 11 12, 11:24 am PDT

    65

    Good article.I also enjoy meditating.i think meditation as a conscious sleep.

66. Nidhi

    Jun 13 12, 11:56 pm PDT

    66

    Fantastic article…i loved it truly… thank you for sharing :)

67. sonal

    Jul 11 12, 6:12 am PDT

    67

    Feel happy ! feel healthy ! and free from bonds which are not real .

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