One of the most common questions I get when recommending meditation is:
"What are the benefits you've experienced?"
I always say there are countless benefits, but if I had to narrow it down to the two most significant, they would be:
1. A Stress-Free Life
Don’t get me wrong—I still experience stress from time to time. That’s just life. Many people turn to meditation to manage stress and anxiety, and I was no different when I first started. But my biggest source of stress wasn’t just day-to-day worries about work, family, or relationships. It was something deeper:
Who am I?
Why do I exist?
No matter how much I achieved or how happy I felt in the moment, the feeling was always temporary. It was like an endless cycle of chasing happiness, only to find myself back at square one, searching all over again. This process felt exhausting. I wanted real answers.
When I learned how our mind works—and how we accumulate thoughts, emotions, and experiences like a camera capturing images—it all started to make sense.
Just like a camera can become clogged with too many pictures, our minds become cluttered when we don’t let go. Through meditation, I discovered that by clearing my mind, I could return to my original mind—the Universe itself, an eternally living existence, the Truth.
And that was it! The answer. The reason for my existence. To find and become the Truth so I could live as my true self.
With this realization, the biggest source of stress in my life was gone. Everything else became secondary. That’s what I mean when I say I live a stress-free life. Challenges still come and go, but now, no matter how strong the winds blow, I know I won’t break. There is nothing more freeing than knowing, deep down, that you will be okay no matter what. This is the power of truly knowing the Truth.
2. I Am Equipped for Life
Whether you're in your 20s, 30s, or 50s, whether you consider yourself young or old, one thing is certain: we are all aging.
With life expectancy reaching nearly 100 years, living fully—physically and mentally—is becoming a universal concern. But aging is all about loss. In your 20s and 30s, you start noticing your parents aging. Soon, you hear about illnesses and the passing of loved ones.
Eventually, you face your own physical changes—your hair grays, your skin loses its glow, and your mind isn’t as sharp as before. You lose strength, financial power, and sometimes even your sense of purpose.
We all know these things will happen, but simply knowing doesn’t mean we are emotionally prepared to accept them. When these losses begin to pile up, many people find themselves overwhelmed by negative thoughts and fear.
But with meditation, I feel equipped to face all of life’s changes.
Challenges will come, but knowing that I have the inner strength to deal with them gives me peace of mind. Instead of living in fear or doubt, I live with confidence and clarity.
A Changing Perspective on Meditation
On my recent visit to Korea—my first in 10 years—I met up with some old school friends I hadn’t seen in over 20 years. What struck me most was how much more open they were to the idea of taking care of their minds.
When I first started meditating in my late 20s, I talked about it, but most people didn’t seem very interested. Looking back, I realize it might have been because we were all still young. At that age, life feels like it’s just beginning—there’s so much excitement and possibility. The idea of clearing the mind wasn’t exactly appealing.
But now, they are married, raising children, dealing with the loss or illnesses of their parents, and navigating the ups and downs of life. They seemed to feel the weight of life more. As I explained how meditation helps unburden that weight, they listened intently.
I told them,
"You don’t have to start right away—but please know that there is a way. And when you feel ready, give it a try."
If you’ve stumbled across this post, I want to extend that same encouragement to you. Meditation has transformed my life in ways I never imagined. I hope that, when the time feels right for you, you’ll give it a try too—and experience the same joy and peace that I have found.
Thank you for reading and I wish you a very pleasant day!
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