What happens when a rock musician battling addiction discovers mindfulness at 18?

Dave Smith shares his raw journey from personal tragedy and self-destruction to the clarity of 90-day meditation retreats. We break down common misconceptions about meditation, the power of emotional intelligence, and the challenge of confronting our inner selves. Dave opens up about his struggles with self-loathing, the path to sobriety, and how mindfulness helped him navigate suffering and self-discovery. Whether you're new to meditation or deepening your practice, this conversation offers powerful insights on finding peace within.

More about Dave's work here: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/

Our Next 9wk Live Virtual Meditation Course starts April 27th, Sundays at 4pm ET. Here is all the info and registration: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/learnmeditation

If you missed this one there will be more in the future, email will@mentalkingmindfulness.com to get on the list.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:05 - Virtual Meditation Course Announcement

02:27 - Grounding Practice

03:12 - Dave's First Experience with Meditation

07:08 - The Awakening Moment

12:04 - Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness

17:06 - Cultivating a Meaningful Life

21:13 - Understanding Dharma

23:56 - Mindfulness Beyond Buddhism

26:03 - Mindfulness as a Tool

29:10 - Overcoming the Fear of Meditation

30:56 - The Challenge of Inner Awareness

39:17 - Faith and Trust in the Process

40:56 - Building Capacity for Presence

43:33 - The Risks of Deep Meditation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.