231. MANOJ DIAS – You Already Are Everything You Seek To Be | Meditation As A Catalyst For Healing and Remembering
Jan 6, 2023
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Manoj Dias, co-founder of Open, a modern meditation organization, talks about his journey from corporate marketing to being a meditation teacher. He discusses the transformational power of meditation, his cultural background in the Buddhist tradition, and the expansion of Open from a drop-in studio to a global app. Manoj also shares insights on finding balance between the mind and body, trusting your body's wisdom, and his decision to become a tech entrepreneur.
Meditation is not about achieving a calm state, but understanding the mind and developing compassion and awareness.
Mindfulness and meditation can be presented in a relatable and inclusive way, merging ancient wisdom with contemporary science.
Community and connection are crucial in meditation and mindfulness practices, fostering support, inspiration, and personal growth.
Deep dives
The Power of Meditation and Breathwork
Minoj Diaz, the co-founder of Open, shares his personal journey with meditation and breathwork. Meditation and yoga helped him heal from anxiety, panic attacks, and addiction. He emphasizes that meditation is not about achieving a calm state, but rather understanding the mind and developing compassion and awareness. By investigating his own thoughts and emotions, Minoj gained clarity and a context for his experiences, leading to healing and transformation. He believes that meditation and mindfulness should be accessible to everyone and shares the vision of Open to make spirituality more relatable through mindful design and wisdom teachings. Through Open's app, they aim to create a strong community and provide consistent quality practices that can lead to a peaceful and present life.
The Intersection of Spirituality and Technology
Minoj discusses the merging of spirituality and technology. He believes that mindfulness and meditation should be presented in a way that is relatable and inclusive, breaking away from the idea that one must retreat to remote locations to practice. By blending ancient wisdom and contemporary science, Open aims to rebrand meditation and make it accessible to a wider audience. Minoj highlights the importance of good design in inviting people into the practice, using elements such as music and community support. He believes that by infusing mindfulness into technology and social media, people can integrate the practice more seamlessly into their daily lives.
The Power of Connecting with Others
Minoj emphasizes the significance of community and connection in meditation and mindfulness practices. Open's app provides a platform for people to share their experiences and connect with others who may be going through similar challenges. This sense of community allows individuals to feel supported and inspired in their practice. By creating a space where people can come together, share their journeys, and practice meditation, Open aims to foster a sense of belonging and provide a foundation for personal growth and transformation.
The Recognition of Inner Peace and Wisdom
Minoj explores the idea that inner peace and wisdom are already present within each individual. He emphasizes that suffering is universal and that everyone experiences challenges and hardships in life. By cultivating understanding, compassion, and recognizing the impermanent nature of thoughts and emotions, individuals can navigate their experiences with greater clarity and ease. Minoj highlights the importance of recognizing that we are not the sum of our thoughts and emotions, and that meditation and mindfulness practice can help us connect with our innate peace and wisdom.
The Practice of Meditation Beyond Formal Settings
Minoj discusses the notion of meditation being a practice beyond formal settings. He explains that the goal is not to eliminate thoughts or achieve a specific state, but rather to cultivate mindfulness and bring awareness to our daily lives. By practicing meditation consistently, individuals can refine their minds, improve decision-making, and regulate emotions more effectively. Minoj encourages individuals to integrate mindfulness into all aspects of life, recognizing that true freedom and peace come from being present and compassionate in every moment.
My guest is Manoj Dias – author, teacher, speaker and co-founder of Open, a modern meditation organization based in California. I have been using Open to participate in the January meditation and breathwork challenge, and it’s quickly becoming my favorite mindfulness app. If you’d like to experience it for yourself, download the Open app here.
We discuss:
How Manoj found himself on the intersection of meditation and technology
How meditation came into Manoj’s life
From corporate marketing to being a meditation teacher
Transforming the story of “there’s something wrong with me”
How Open is giving spirituality a different marketing campaign
Meditation as a gateway to a life of clarity and ease
Manoj’s cultural and religious background, and what it was like growing up in the Buddhist tradition
How Manoj knew that he’d just met his spiritual teacher
The journey of listening to your body
Expanding from a drop-in meditation studio to a global app
Finding the balance between rhythms of creation and rest as an entrepreneur
Trusting your body’s wisdom
Finding harmony between the heart and the mind
Manoj’s decision to go from teacher to a tech entrepreneur
