Post 1- 27 September 25

Today I really noticed what a difference it makes when I go into service from a quiet place inside.

I did my morning routine of TM after I stir around the house to wake up and before I prepare myself for volunteering. My mind wandered, came back, wandered again many times. But afterwards I felt steady, like my brain and body were on the same page.

When I started serving today at SVdP, people came in with all kinds of energy. Some were tired, some grateful, some barely able to look up. Instead of getting pulled into every emotion around me, I could keep coming back to that settled place within. It was easier to slow down for a moment, make eye contact, and really see the person in front of me.

Yeah… the line was still long and there was still a lot to do. What is important is that I changed how I was on the inside. Moments like this remind me that outer service really does really depend on inner stability.

Post 2 – 3 October 25

Tonight, I had one of those spontaneous moments that felt like a small lesson.

I was in the kitchen washing dishes, thinking about my assignments, my project, my volunteer plans, and everything else that likes to crowd my mind (In a previous life I would help been deeply consumed by these challenges). In that moment I caught myself stressing out and rushing inside even though I was just standing at the sink.

So…. I paused so I could take an objective view of what was going on in my mind. Then I took one slow breath… Paid attention to the warm water on my hands…. Then the sound of the dishes. Nothing special happened, but my mind softened a little. I was able to release my issues and just be there, doing my thing, instead of trying to solve my problems and whole life in my head.

TM has helped me recognize that quiet place, even outside of meditation. These small pauses allow me to feel and understand tiny visits to that deeper level awareness. Sometime they do not look impressive or life changing from the outside, but they often change the way I move through my day.

Post 3 – 19 October 25

Soooooo…. I am a music head, and today I was bopping to Spiritual Tony – Inside Us. Since practicing TM regularly, I notice that even when the music is loud and I am swaying, there is a calm that creeps up inside of me that does not get lost. The silence I touch in meditation comes with me. Under the beat and the movement, there is a steady feeling of “I am okay.” I can enjoy the rhythm, sing along, and still feel that inner ease.

For me, this is a small part of what quantum-level peace looks like living inside me. 

Post 4 – 26 October 25

I want to be honest. Not every day feels peaceful, even with TM.

There are days when I sit to meditate and my mind feels busy from start to finish. I come out of TM and still feel emotional, tired, or sensitive. In the past I would have really came down hard on myself, and I probably would have thought that I must be doing this wrong.

Now I am learning to see those days are an important part of the process. The nervous system is releasing old stress, and that is ok. Even when I cannot feel it clearly, I trust that Pure Consciousness is always there waiting for me to release control and surrender.

On those days my practice is simple: be kind with myself, remain consistent with TM, and observe my thoughts and feelings. If you still feel that way about challenges that show up, more self-reflection is needed. Peace is becoming less about having perfect feelings, and more about staying connected to that inner place, especially when life gets challenging.

Post 5 – 31 October 25

Today at one of my volunteer sites, I ended up sitting with a woman I’ll call Ms. Sheilla.

She had already eaten, but she stayed because she “just wasn’t ready to face the world at the moment” (her words not mine.) Instead of rushing to the next task, I sat down with her and we talked a moment about her grandkids, the weather, and how hard it can be to start over.

What stood out to me was not anything huge that I said. It was the feeling that I actually had space to listen. In the past, I might have been there physically but mentally planning my next five moves (because it’s the Vata in me lol). However, with TM becoming steady in my routine, I notice that I can be more present in simple moments like this.

It’s about giving someone your presence or your full attention for just a few minutes and letting them know that you care and their story matters.

Post 6 – 8 November 25

In past classes at MIU, we talk about things like meaning, engagement, and relationships. It can sound very academic in a textbook. But this week, I watched those ideas show up in real life.

One afternoon noticed three things: a smooth volunteer shift, a kind text from a friend (whom I haven’t been talking to in a while), and the fact that my thoughts and body felt a little lighter than it did last month.

That small moment checked several boxes:

·       Positive emotion: I actually felt a warm, satisfied feeling.

·       Engagement: I had been fully involved in serving earlier, not just going through the motions.

·       Relationships: I felt supported by the people around me.

That connection between inner experience, outer action, and well-being is exactly what I am trying to live, not just study

Post 7- 18 November 25

There was a time in my life when I ignored every signal of burnout until my body forced me to stop…. SMH! Now I am trying to do it differently because as our SCI Principle tells us: The Nature of Life is to Grow.

This week I noticed the early signs: feeling snappy, overthinking small things, and wanting to shut down socially. Instead of pushing through, I made two decisions:

1.     I kept my TM steady, even when I felt too busy.

2.     I allowed myself to set boundaries and say no to one extra commitment without feeling guilty.

TM didn’t magically erase all the task that I have on my things I have to do list… What it does is help me check in with myself honestly. After I meditate, the essential things often tend to become clearer and I come to understand those aspects of life by pressure or old habits.

Catching burnout early feels like an act of self-respect. It is one way I honor the inner stability within me so that the outer work so that I the work want to do in the community can stay meaningful, purposeful, and sustainable.