INNER SENSEI INC.
SOUTH BEND, IN

We’ve been taught to believe that if we do what’s expected - go to school, pursue a respectable career, and give back to society, we’ll find fulfillment. Meanwhile, we keep working harder, longing for our weekends, and distracting ourselves with the bad habits we wish we didn’t have, while not making time for the things we wish we did have. As children, we are educated to be productive, behave nicely for others, multi-task, and stay busy. We’ve been this way for so long, that any other lifestyle seems impossible for us. There’s nothing wrong with these habits. On the surface, they help us avoid the discomforts of boredom, not feeling good enough, not fitting in, or not paying our bills on time. They make us productive members of society. But when this avoidance of discomfort becomes what we habitually put our attention on, our life becomes about avoiding pain instead of living fulfilled. Living to avoid pain creates a recurring feeling of stress, which can develop into chronic anxiety, depression, insomnia, cancer, and other diseases. The good news is: We did this to ourselves, and we can undo it. No matter how deeply ingrained our stress, anxiety, or disease has gotten, practicing mindfulness can help us heal from and let go of our old habits so we can create new ones that support us in creating the life really want. Mindfulness is a particular way of paying attention without judgement. It is being aware that we are aware, and we can do this anytime. Using this perceptive skill leaves us feeling purposeful, joyful, and at peace while releasing us from the heavy significance we automatically assigned to our circumstances.