Zen Commuter

Anxiety cripples many people, but as Judy Lief explains, anxiety is of our own creation.  And it can be uncreated as well. Sponsors: Amazon.com - Shop Amazon using this link and a portion of what you spend will go back to the show. 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 extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them. Did you enjoy the podcast?

We all know (hopefully) how amazing Insight Timer is as a meditation app. The god news is, it’s gotten even better. Today I want to talk about how to use the new functionality to find the perfect meditations continuing your practice. Sponsors: Amazon.com - Shop Amazon using this link and a portion of what you spend will go back to the show. 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 extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them. Did you enjoy the podcast?

As a seasoned meditator, I sometimes forget about the sensations I experience in a session; sensations that may seem off-putting to a beginning meditator. One of them has to do with the perception of lights and patterns, and the other has to do with the inability to feel your hands or feet.  Neither is anything to be alarmed of, as I will discuss today. What you will learn in this episode: Why you sometimes lose the awareness of your hands or feet Why you may see colors or patterns when meditating The main advice to follow when you do see colors or patterns Sponsors: Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses Better World Books - Discounted books that give back to the world 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 extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.  

Hey, my friend. It's been a while since we have had an actual meditation. So today I thought I would combine the best of two worlds; meditation and Tricycle Tuesday. :0) This one was written by Ayya Santacitta, and is a perfect session for helping us cultivate stillness and the ability to slow down. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

My guest today is Manal El-Ramly, author of Transcending Anxiety: From Fear to Freedom, TEDx speaker ('Why You Don't Need to Search for Your Purpose'), creator of the Mattain Method, and a beloved teacher on Insight Timer. Manal helps individuals overcome anxiety, limiting beliefs, and overwhelm by understanding and aligning their four bodies – physical, emotional, mental, and egoic. What You'll Discover in This Episode: The Four Bodies Cultivating Emotional Intelligence The essence of the Unconditional Three Resources & Mentions: Connect with Manal El-Ramly - https://www.mattain.me/joinme 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 it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review

In this episode of Zen Commuter, I share reflections inspired by a recent Tricycle article on connecting with the root of our being. Lately, I've been reminded that the places, roles, and things we associate with "home" are only temporary expressions of something much deeper. The real root isn't somewhere outside of us—it's the quiet, steady presence that's always been there, beneath our thoughts, beneath our memories, beneath even our sense of identity. When we take time to pause and reconnect with that part of ourselves, there's a profound sense of peace and belonging that doesn't depend on circumstances. Join me as I explore what it means to come home—not to a place, but to the truest part of who we are.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

Many people feel that low energy is something to be conquered. If you're feeling a little lackluster, something must be off, or wrong. Guess what? I used to think that too. As recently as today. Thankfully, a trip to the cushion set me straight. So let's learn a lesson together.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

Drawing inspiration from a recent Tricycle magazine article, this episode explores the powerful metaphors we unconsciously use to describe our lives—and how they influence the way we suffer, grow, and find freedom. When we examine the stories and images we live by, we discover new ways to relate to challenge, identity, and change. By choosing more liberating metaphors, we loosen old constraints and open to a life lived with greater clarity and compassion.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

One of the most common meditation frustrations is the belief that something is wrong when the mind keeps thinking. In this episode, we gently bust one of the biggest myths about meditation: that a quiet mind is the goal. You'll learn why thoughts are not a sign of failure, what meditation is actually training us to notice, and how changing your relationship to thinking—not eliminating it—brings ease, confidence, and calm to your practice.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

In today's episode of Zen Commuter, we explore how meditation naturally builds confidence—not through positive thinking or self-improvement, but through familiarity with ourselves. As we sit and observe the mind, we begin to see thoughts for what they are rather than who we are. Over time, this creates a quiet trust: trust in our ability to stay present, to meet discomfort without being overwhelmed, and to respond instead of react. This episode invites you to see confidence not as something you have to develop, but as something that emerges when you stop trying to be different and learn to rest in who you already are.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

It is a new year, meaning there are plenty of people reworking their current practice, or starting one fresh. Regarding both of these groups, it's going to be helpful to wipe away any misperceptions and myths. To that end, I am going to answer a question I get asked by almost every student I have; Am I meditating right? Stick around to hear the answer.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

Hey my good friend, thanks for coming back to another episode of Zen Commuter. Today, upon returning from a hiatus, I thought it would be a perfect day to talk about Right Speech. And the best way to do that is with an article from Tricycle magazine. Sensei Dhara Kowal wrote a perfect article that talks about what tricycle does best; putting ancient context into a modern light. Come listen and learn.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

As we say farewell to another year, I'm reminded that there are many times in our lives when we must say goodbye.  Many of those moments are unplanned, like the loss of a loved one, a dear pet, or even a job.  Today, I invite you to join me as I talk about how a meditation practice can help you navigate the losses you experience in your lives.  Since grief is such an individual process there's no way I can tell you how to effectively manage it, on or off the cushion.  What we will discuss is how the silence and stillness, at times very painful, can help you understand the process as it relates to you.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

Today I continue my warm and wonderful chat with Jen Kalawur. In this segment, we talk about the importance of listening to your intuition when it let's know what your body and mind truly need. To that end, we also talk about the importance of a healthy diet: not food, but information. And finally, Jen talks about the important work she does in helping her clients see their lives in a fuller, more expansive way. Come Listen. Connect with Jennifer kalawur Website: navigatelifetransitions.net An incredible guide to help you begin nurturing a loving relationship with yourself. Click Here THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

On today's episode, I sit down with Jennifer Kalawur, a mindful leadership coach whose work blends emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and grounded presence. Together, we explore how mindfulness reshapes the way we lead, communicate, and care for ourselves in a world that often pulls us in every direction. Jennifer shares her own journey, the practices that keep her anchored, and the powerful ways we can bring more clarity and compassion into both our personal and professional lives. If you've ever wondered how calm can inform courage — or how awareness can transform connection — this conversation will speak directly to that place within you. Connect with Jennifer kalawur Website: navigatelifetransitions.net An incredible guide to help you begin nurturing a loving relationship with yourself. Click Here THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

In today's episode, I sit down with author and meditator Dean Patrick for a meaningful conversation about meditation, self-care, and redefining what success really means. Dean shares how his own inner practice has shaped his life, and we explore the shift from striving to aligning — from doing to being. We also talk about his latest book, which opens powerful doorways into a more intentional and purpose-driven life: God Money: A thoughtful exploration of purpose, prosperity, and spiritual clarity in a world that often measures worth by accumulation. If you're ready to rethink success, deepen your meditation practice, and reconnect with the values that truly matter, I think you'll find a lot to love in this conversation. Connect with Dean PatricK Website: https://www.deanpatrickauthor.com Books: • God Money: Lost and Found in the Crypto Wilderness Social: TikTokInstagram THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

In this episode, we sit down with multi-hyphenate storyteller Christopher Rivas — actor, writer, Buddhist practitioner, and host of the Brown Enough podcast. We dive deep into themes of identity, race, belonging, and what it means to "live in the middle space." Christopher shares his journeys into Buddhism, the stories behind his creative work (including Brown Enough and Rubirosa), and how life, art, and spiritual practice intersect for him. ✨ Guest Bio & Links Christopher Rivas is an actor, author, playwright, and podcast host known for exploring issues of race, culture, identity, and transformation. Christopher Rivas He hosts the Brown Enough podcast, where he explores what it means to navigate "brownness" in a Black/white world. Brown Enough Podcast He also created Rubirosa, a documentary-style story about Porfirio Rubirosa (a Dominican figure many believe inspired James Bond). Rubirosa Podcast Key writings in Tricycle Magazine Christopher regularly contributes essays to Tricycle. A few notable ones: Non-Self Storage — reflection on attachment, possessions, and letting go Tricycle: The Buddhist Review I Think the Clock Is Broken — on time anxiety, meditation, and being present Always Lie When Someone Asks If You Meditate — an unconventional take on how practice begins (and how we show up) Social & Web Links Christopher's official site: Brown Enough podcast: Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts | Spotify Spotify | general listing via Podnews Podnews YouTube playlist for Brown Enough episodes: YouTube Twitter / X: @chris__rivas X (formerly Twitter)+1 🔍 Themes & Talking Points from the Episode Here are some of the central topics and takeaways we explore: Integration of spiritual practice & creativity We talk about his meditation journey (16 years and counting), how Buddhist ideas inform his storytelling, and practices that help him stay grounded amid creative turbulence. Storytelling as healing & reimagining narratives Christopher uses storytelling not just as art, but as a bridge to identity, culture, and reconciliation. Attachment, letting go, and identity We unpack his reflections on possessions, ego, attachment, and what does it mean to truly let go (materially and emotionally). 🔗 Links for Listeners & References Christopher Rivas & His Work Official website / podcast hub: christopherrivas.com Brown Enough podcast:  • Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts  • Spotify Spotify  • Podnews listing & show info Podnews YouTube Brown Enough playlist YouTube Twitter / X handle: @chris__rivas X (formerly Twitter)+1   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

Believe it or not, consistency is one of the hardest parts of a meditation practice; setting time each day to sit in stillness. As a single man, it's easier for me, than say, a parent with young children. However, Tricycle would have you believe it's still possible for parents to keep up with their practice, as long as they adapt how they meditate. Thankfully, Sumi Loundon Kim has some great ideas about exactly how to adapt your mindfulness practice.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

While I don't know the exact demographic of Zen Commuter listeners, I have confidence in saying that many of you are my chronological peers. To that end, today's article from Tricycle will resonate with you as well. Even though I don't fully embrace all the sentiments of the article, it did resonate on the major points. What is the obfuscated topic for today? Aging. Come listen.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

In this episode of Zen Commuter, I read Mark Unno's essay "Blind Passions," a powerful reflection on how unseen desires shape our lives and our practice. Together, we'll explore how passion can cloud our vision, but also how, when understood, it can become a doorway to deeper awareness and compassion.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show! 🎙 Send me a voice message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter 📧 Email: thom@zencommuter.com 📱 Instagram: @thom_walters 🐦 Twitter: @thom_walters 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/zencommuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify