How Adopting a Kitten

Hey there 👋

Last week, I became a cat dad. My partner Nadine & I adopted a kitten, Luna.

Weighing in at 1.2 pounds… Luna has a carefree energy that’s both mysterious & inspiring.

So, what does a kitten have to do with wellness, you might ask?

Well, Eckhart Tolle, the author of “The Power Now,” once said:

“I have lived with several Zen masters– all of them cats.”

In just the first week of living together, I am perplexed by this animal's ability to learn, engage & play in an entirely new living environment.

Observing her attitude & presence has deepened my connection to my most cherished practice - the habit that has transformed the direction & quality of my life more than any other… Meditation.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll explore one of the biggest misconceptions about meditation, what the science says about it, and some of my favorite approaches & tools— including a free trial for one of the best meditation/breathwork apps on the market.

Stay tuned til the end for the sign-up link and some pictures of Luna😉 

Reconnecting with the Present

In today's fast-paced culture, where distractions & stress run high, it's crucial to find ways to slow down & find stillness.

Meditation, an ancient practice that has gained significant attention in recent years, holds a key to this transformation.

“But I can’t meditate… my mind won’t shut tf up…” you might say.

Same here. But here’s the good news:

Thinking during meditation is completely normal.

Just as the heart beats instinctively, the mind thinks involuntarily.

In her book, "Stress Less, Accomplish More," Emily Fletcher offers this refreshing perspective.

Rather than attempting to halt thoughts, meditation is about recognizing when the mind wanders & gently bringing our attention back to the present moment.

She recommends using a word, such as “one” or “connect,” as an anchor that allows us to come back into the breath.

By delving into the present moment, we can reconnect to ourselves, cultivate clarity, and build emotional resilience.

Over time, this can help us experience deeper connections with ourselves & others, and even overcome feelings of frustration & loneliness.

Scientific Evidence & Benefits:

Harvard conducted a groundbreaking study in 2015 that provides undeniable evidence of the physical changes that occur in the brain through meditation.

An eight-week daily meditation program showed unmistakable physical changes, such as a shrinking of the amygdala (brain’s fear center) and the expansion of the brain stem— the area in which feel-good neurochemicals dopamine & serotonin originate. (Schulte, 2015).

Moreover, meditation enlarges the corpus callosum - the structure that connects the right & left sides of your brain.

Meaning, experienced meditators have an easier & more effective ability to shift back & forth between their analytical & intuitive sides.

These results are hard to deny, and they illuminate what is possible for all of us to attain. All by reconnecting to the present moment.

Transforming Overthinking

I could spend pages discussing the benefits of meditation, but I value your attention way too much for that.

So, we’ll stick to the biggest benefit that meditation has given me….

Overthinking has been a struggle for me for as long as I can remember.

And thanks to an over-stimulated society, that is the case for many– often leading to anxiety, lack of focus, & perpetual exhaustion.

Mental health issues are widespread and only continuing to grow.

Meditation can serve as a powerful medicine.

As Jay Shetty writes in his book, “Think Like a Monk,” the “first step to understanding our minds is simply becoming aware of the different voices inside us. Starting to differentiate what you’re hearing will immediately help you make better decisions.”

Observation, without judgment, leads to understanding.

And once we understand what we’re thinking, we can choose new, empowering thoughts.

Meditation, in my experience, helps us slow down to a state in which we can observe. Then we can choose to act, rather than react.

By becoming aware of our inner voices and differentiating between them, we can make better decisions and reframe negative thinking patterns.

This ongoing process requires patience & practice, but it offers the potential for tremendous personal growth and transformation.

Quotes to Meditate On:

• “The way out is to go deeply in.” Susan Campbell

• “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Victor Frankl

• “What we think, we become.” The Buddha

• "Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit." Jeremy Taylor

• "You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day — unless you're too busy. Then you should sit for an hour." Zen proverb

Resources for Meditation:

• OPEN is my favorite app for meditation, breathwork & yoga. If you click this link, you can try 30 days out for free. It’s dope - and free - tune in.

• This Abundance Meditation has been my go-to the last few months. Led by Bob Proctor, an OG in the coaching/speaking space, this 20-minute video is both relaxing & engaging.

• Candlelight: Looking at a candle is a simple visual anchor that can help settle the mind and drop into stillness.

• Joe Dispenza is up to some revolutionary work, conducting meditation retreats and utilizing the gathered to make significant contributions to science and health. The science can be found here and numerous powerful testimonials here. There are tons of free meditations of his on YouTube, but I’ll include one of my favorites below, as well as some other unrelated goodies.

Pictures of Luna:

Thanks for Reading

I’m curious - have you ever tried meditating?

Do you practice regularly? Why or why not?

Hope you have a great week - see you next time.

Your friend & supporter,

Aidan