Sonal is a certified meditation teacher and the founder of CONNECT Meditation. In her workshops and sessions, she blends ancient Eastern wisdom with modern science to make mindfulness accessible to today’s practitioners. Raised in India and now based in Boston, Sonal’s background in corporate human resources, learning and development, and life coaching allows her to connect deeply with both individuals and organizations. She also teaches at WITHIN, a San Francisco-based meditation organization. ...
Feb 13, 2025•49 min•Ep. 2092
Catherine is an integrative spiritual consultant, former trauma and hospice chaplain, and first time author of the book Everyday Awakening . In her book as well as her private practice, she counsels people on what it means to be alive, and how to awaken into their heart and soul. She has faced death twice and companioned hundreds of people as they died. The deep peace and sense of the other side she witnessed was profound and soul shaping. We can all awaken and it is a choice how we are choosing...
Feb 11, 2025•33 min•Ep. 2091
Jeff Patterson, from Portland, OR, USA, has over 36 years of experience, practicing and teaching the meditative and martial arts. As the founder of Northwest Fighting Arts/Portland Tai Chi Academy and The Yielding Warrior, where he emphasizes the transformative power of meditative and martial arts practices, particularly the yielding concept. He has published two books and hundreds on instructional videos. Founder of The Yielding Warrior online program and has worked with 1000's of students from...
Feb 04, 2025•57 min•Ep. 2090
Visualizing is an important aspect of meditation, yet some people struggle with how to it. My Insight Timer friend Alberto asked if I could help him with becoming better at it, and to that end, I thought I would record an episode to help not just him, but anyone who could use some practice at becoming better at imagining. Enjoy. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show Thanks again for listening to the show! If ...
Jan 29, 2025•19 min•Ep. 2089
Some people fear being alone with their thoughts. those people understand the benefit of calm that a practice brings, the cost for getting there is too great; the cost of being alone with painful, denigrating. thoughts. Today I talk about how to become comfortable with ‘troublesome” thoughts so that you can meditate if you think it would be beneficial (and it will be) ;0) Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show...
Jan 28, 2025•27 min•Ep. 2088
The last time we got together we had the joy of hanging out with Forrest Rivers, Author of tHumanity’s Spiritual Rebirth. As is customary on ZC, when I interview an author, I like to read an excerpt from their book; and today is no exception. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Connecting with Forrest: Website: https://forrestrivers.com/ Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069110064900 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...
Jan 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 2088
Forrest Rivers has become a good friend of mine. So when his publicist sent me an email to have him on the show I jumped at the chance. He is a man who truly sees thing in such a wonderfully rich way. He drops the labels of good and bad, and helps us see every moment as an opportunity to grow, to understand “ourselves” on a deeper level. Yeah, you can imagine why I have love and respect for him. Today we talk about the ways we as a planet can grow through seemingly challenging curcumstances. Med...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 2086
I am very happy to be back on the air after a three week hiatus. The longest one in the 10 year history of Zen Commuter. So thank you all for your patience and understanding. I can’t think of a better topic to talk about on my return, than Tonglen Meditation. Today I read an article that talks about how we can reduce our fear of suffering by engaging in a meditation practice that has us voluntarily taking on the suffering of others. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary cons...
Jan 09, 2025•20 min•Ep. 2085
For some people, a new year is approaching. That may mean that they are looking to start a meditation practice. Well, before you start, it may be a good idea to understand what meditation is a little better. Actually, it may be more beneficial to talk about what it isn’t, or what it can’t do. With this talked about, you won’t have unrealistic expectations when you get to you cushion, chair or bed. :0) Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! ...
Dec 18, 2024•22 min•Ep. 2084
I have been fortunate enough to speak with a bounty of guests who are changing the world in a wonderful way. Sara Webb is one of those amazing people. The moment we connected on Zoom I felt her warmth and grace. As you will hear in our interview, she is wonderfully candid and vulnerable. As a resilience coach it is clear she knows what she is talking about. Per her own admission, she faced many challenges. But as you would expect, none of them bested her or diminished her light. Come listen to a...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 2084
Even though it isn't Tricycle week I thought I would share an article with you that I know you can relate to. How do I know? Because you have a body. And if you have a body, that means at some time you have experienced pain. Vidyamala Burch takes us through a practice that helps us see pain with kindness, sympathy and compassion; a much better energy that resentment and anger. Come listen Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Be a part of the show! Send me a me...
Dec 06, 2024•14 min•Ep. 2083
Enzo Dal Verme is a photographer; but not just any photographer. With a decades old meditation practice, he is able to use his mindfulness practice to fully bring himself into the moment, to exist within the creative process of portrait photography. Suffice it to say, because of this he is able to capture the essence of his subjects that might be lost with other artists. His transformative retreats help beginners and experts learn their version of the process. Come listen as we talk about art, m...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 2082
Last week I introduced you to a wonderful guest who is helping us all connect to our divinity. Her name was Emma Rowena. Today I have a very special treat for us. I am going to read a few passages from her book, You. Me. And All That We Are. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Connecting with Laura: You. Me. And All That We Are on Amazon Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for...
Nov 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 2081
Emma Rowena is a musician, performer, intuitive reader, healer, meditation guide, and emerging social entrepreneur, helping people find peace, purpose, and healing in their lives. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Links from the Episode: www.emmarowena.no Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 2080
Cynthia Hauk, MFA (founder of Mindful Creative Muse), is passionate about sharing simple Mindfulness and Art activities to help busy people de-stress and express themselves creatively. She also trains and coaches Creative Entrepreneurs, Art and Yoga Teachers, and Expressive Art Therapists to move through creative blocks and share their unique vision and services in the world. Cynthia offers online Mindful Art workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings. Since 2007, she has facilitated at in-perso...
Nov 08, 2024•53 min•Ep. 2079
What a great way to end Tricycle week; a story that talks about the joy you feeling when someone else is experiencing joy. Come listen. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are...
Oct 23, 2024•16 min•Ep. 2078
Today I share with you my interview with Josh Dippold. He is one of the hosts of the Integrating Presence Podcast along with Wendy Nash. Together they help us learn the benefits of a meditation practice. Which is something that Josh does on his own as well as an instructor on Insight Timer Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Links from the Episode: Josh Dippold on Insight Timer Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@ze...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Andrew Cooper shares a profound post that talks about the nature of failure, as it relates to studying/practicing Buddhism. His take is that without failure, it is impossible to move forward. Come listen. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media but...
Oct 18, 2024•17 min•Ep. 2076
On day three of Tricycle week I thought we would switch gears and read about something a bit lighter, compassion. Mark Van Buren shares a great post that talks about the ways the little things we do to end people’s suffering, are just as impactful as the bigger things. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has ...
Oct 17, 2024•18 min•Ep. 2075
Even though they are different authors, the writers of yesterday post and today’s explore the theme of emptiness and self. While they are quite different views on the same subject, there is one similarity: by understanding what is not present, we can understand what truly is. Courtland ends his article with a wonderfully succinct and impactful meditation. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to...
Oct 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 2074
It’s been way too long since we were graced by the wisdom of Tricycle, the Buddhist magazine. But thankfully, that ends this week, starting off with a phenomenal article by Peter Coyote. In it, he helps us explore the nature of self. Or more to the point, the absence of self. He let’s us know that when we given up the need to define ourselves, we understand we are connected to everything. You won’t want to miss this one. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Be...
Oct 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 2073
Nate Zeleznick is a true pioneer, distinguished as one of only two American master trainers of an ancient royal Indonesian energy and martial arts system. He masterfully integrates this unique next-level practice with modern scientific methodologies and technologies through his creation of the Integrated Ascension Method (I AM) and the White Dove Method. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Links from the Episode: https://iampure.energy Be a part of the show! ...
Oct 09, 2024•59 min•Ep. 2072
With his books published in 16 languages, and over 500,000 copies sold worldwide, Scott Allan is on a mission to transform the human potential. Scott is the bestselling author of Fail Big, Relaunch Your Life, and Do the Hard Things First. As a former corporate business trainer in Japan and Transformational Success Strategist, he has invested over 10,000 hours of practice and research into confidence development and mindset mastery training. With an unrelenting passion for teaching, building crit...
Sep 25, 2024•51 min•Ep. 2071
One of the greatest gifts of hosting Zen Commuter is being able to talk with such forward thinking individuals. It get’s even better when those people are simply radiant; full of life and joy. Such is the case today; today I am speaking with Ramona Galey. Quite simply, she helps people explore their spirituality as a gateway to creating a rich and joyful life. You won’t want to miss this. Come listen. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Links from the Episode...
Sep 17, 2024•56 min•Ep. 2070
The last time we go together I shared a fascinating interview with Dean Graves. Today I expound on some of the topics we spoke of the last time we got together. Our first talk was at the beginning of the year. This one was into the warmer months of summer just as Dean’s latest book was about to launch. In fact, it launched that day. If you are curious about the nature of consciousness, and how to live more peacefully, I heartily encourage you to pick it up. Come listen to another enlightening di...
Sep 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 2069
Dean Graves is a renowned meditation teacher, mental health counselor, and spiritual guide with over 20 years of experience in the field. Through his expertise in mental health and deep spiritual understanding, he provides a holistic approach to healing and growth. With his compassionate and insightful guidance, he has inspired and empowered people from all walks of life to embrace mindfulness and meditation as a path to greater self-awareness and spiritual awakening. Meditation Coaching Schedul...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 2068
There are many focuses a meditation can have; breath, of course, or music, mantras or sounds. But there is a focus that we can use to still our minds that isn’t often talked about. In fact, in my 40 years of meditation, I haven’t heard anyone talk about it. Ready to hear about it? Well, there’s no reason to wait. Come listen. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LIS...
Aug 21, 2024•16 min•Ep. 2067
Deborah has been assisting her clients gain clarity by helping them understand their unconscious mind. With a degree in Depth Psychology and a firm understanding of Jungian concepts and principles, she works with people who have been living and repeating thoughts, emotions and patterns that keep them stagnant, unable to live their fullest life. In our talk, we discuss some of the principles of Depth Psychology and how it intersects with meditation. Come listen to a fascinating talk that will hav...
Aug 16, 2024•51 min•Ep. 2066
Many people I teach are able to pick up how to meditate pretty quickly. The bigger challenge they have is creating a consistent daily habit of it. Today, I thought we would talk about six reasons why you have a spotty consistency record. The better part is, I talk about how to fix those pesky reasons. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for ...
Aug 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 2064
Today, I am excited to feature the hosts of The Mindful CEO, Aaron Hendon and Chris Angell. Aaron and Chris are dedicated to highlighting the journeys of socially conscious business owners who strive to create a legacy beyond mere transactions. Their show, The Mindful CEO, delves into the stories of entrepreneurs committed to growing their businesses mindfully, with a focus on sustainability, community impact, and mindful leadership. Join us as we explore the principles and practices that drive ...
Jul 30, 2024•57 min•Ep. 2064
