About 10 years ago I heard about meditation and became interested in the subject. After researching I was able to see that there was some information available, and several aspects of the practice. Later, I spoke to an aunt who meditated regularly, and she told me about its benefits and guided me: I lit a candle, incense, put on relaxing music and sat on the floor with my legs crossed for about 15, 20 minutes. I meditated the way she taught me and when I did I felt calmer and enjoyed the results. I also had the opportunity to do meditation when I was in Goa for the first time in 2010. At that time I witnessed a different approach to meditation.

Years passed and my meditation was never regular, sometimes I would meditate 15m/day for days at a time, even weeks and then stop and start again.

One day Miguel invited me to go to his Kung Fu and Chi Kong class. When I told him about my meditation practice, which at that point was starting to become more regular, he replied that he didn’t know how to do it but that he would like to understand more about the subject… and that was it. After a few months I went to him for coffee, and he told me that he went to a retreat at a meditation temple in Los Angeles (January 2014).

We continued to meditate separately, until in September 2014 I started joining him to practice together. I must confess that at first it was difficult for me to get used to Chan. It was very different from everything I had read and experienced about meditation (don’t meditate for more than 1 hour, don’t meditate after meals, stop when you have pain or numbness…)

Another Chan Qi approached, and Miguel invited me to go with him to the temple, but I didn’t go. I accepted in December 2015 and together with David and Guida, we did the retreat for 7 days. To say the experience was enriching is an understatement. On the third day I managed to do the lotus position for the first time and although I only held it for a few seconds, I soon felt that it was very beneficial for my body and mind.

The experience with the master, monks and other practitioners was very pleasant, an experience that I intend to repeat as soon as possible.

At the moment my practice is regular, which was not the case before I was introduced to Chan, and the results I notice on a daily basis are many: increased concentration, focus, discernment, resilience and especially in health, both physical and mental.

We have an open group of people who have already become friends, and who practice regularly every Saturday. Meditating together is an excellent stimulus for exchanging experiences and continuing the practice.

It’s nice to be able to share the benefits of Chan meditation with others, and I’ve had the opportunity to do this a few times.