Meditation as a Respite from Internal Turmoil

The speaker initially learned a type of meditation from an old hippy, finding solace in the practice that provided a break from the constant internal turmoil and overthinking in their life. Despite regular meditation, they describe feeling trapped in a cycle of self-criticism and overanalysis. The turning point came when they delved into a book about Zen Buddhism and enlightenment, leading them towards a deeper understanding of 'awakening' and a shift in perspective.