On a cold, cloudy winter day back in 2006, a young 14-year-old 'me' kept repeating to himself a question that would unknowingly impact his existence so profoundly. Blessed be that morning when this boy, addicted to candy and computer games and driven by innate curiosity, typed into Google: How to be happy? 

Amid thousands of responses, there was one that prevailed over the rest: Practice meditation.And of course, with no savings whatsoever, what caught his attention was that it was free and he could start right away. Without hesitation, he followed the instructions to the letter and nothing happened. Disappointed and confused, he continued his search.

A convenient combination of over-expectation and self-induced anxiety led him to investigate further into the history of this practice. How was it possible that such an ancient practice had endured for millennia of humanity? He read about monks and sages who claimed that meditation was the key to 'enlightenment' or 'awakening', concepts that, in his pubescent mind, seemed distant and abstract. However, those stories ignited a spark of hope.

Today, almost 2 decades later, this now-less-young man has stopped chasing happiness because he has understood something fundamental: happiness is not a result, it is a state of being.Looking for it, paradoxically, is what kept him farthest from it. He also realized that sooner rather than later, frustration and anxiety will rule in any mind that tries to compare the images of happiness he has created, with reality.

The scientific data on mental health is clearer than ever, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), a 2019 study, indicated that 301 million people were identified with symptoms of anxiety and depression. More than half of them, do not have access to specialists for care, and I will not go into detail about the large percentage of those who made an irreversible decision. 

No longer is it necessary to undertake a journey to a cave in the Tibetan Himalayas to receive accurate instruction on how to begin meditating. Set your alarm to go off in 5 minutes, right here, right now. Yes, welcome to the power of present action. Occupy yourself with keeping your back straight, your legs bent and your shoulders relaxed. Rest your hands on your thighs, as you feel most comfortable, and focus all your attention on the air going in and out of your body. If you find that your mind wanders, however beautiful the distraction, thank it and return your focus to your breathing. Repeat this last step as many times as necessary, for the rest of your life. 

With Love and encouragement for inspiration,