It’s been just over a month now since I started a daily routine of 30 minutes of silent meditation every morning, and a body scan before bed each night. This morning, as I settled into my meditation practice, I noticed something new: a smile on my face. And not just any smile—a genuine, heartfelt smile. It felt like a “thank you for coming home today” kind of smile. As I closed my eyes, it was really lovely to simply settle into the present moment.

Of course, the usual rush of thoughts filled my mind for the first 10 minutes, especially with so many business concerns swirling around. But meditation always reminds me that what I label as ‘concerns’ are really just transient thoughts. They come and go. I have a choice: I can either keep replaying them in my mind, or I can recognize them for what they are—fleeting moments, no more real than this current moment of sitting here, typing these words.

I shared this insight with a student today, explaining how sitting in silence can be both the easiest and hardest thing in the world. It doesn’t sound like much—just sitting in one place, closing your eyes, and being still. Yet our minds often resist because they’re so accustomed to constant stimulation—phones, messages, emails, notifications, and the rapid pace of everyday life. Our brains have been rewired to crave more and more input, so when it’s time to slow down, it feels like a tall order.

But here’s the thing: you can do this. You’ve got this. Let’s embrace the journey of carving out silence each day. If 30 minutes feels overwhelming, start with 15. If 15 is too much, do 10. And if even that feels like a stretch, just start with 5 minutes.

The key is to simply start—today. You’re worth it. You deserve more clarity, focus, compassion, and patience in your life. So join me on this Zenji journey. Let’s find our way back to stillness, together.