I was raised to be a strong leader throughout school and with various jobs, and while I've been successful in many leadership roles, I'm discovering that I no longer identify as a leader. Vipassana meditation is about one's personal journey. The reality that this journey is discovered almost entirely within one's own body is powerful. …
Author: Ryan Shelton
While my job description is to lead the science department and teach physics at Padua Academy in Wilmington, DE, my calling is to prepare teenagers to lead their communities towards a vibrant and healthy future. This purpose has lead to the creation of Loving Lives Delaware.
Before becoming a teacher, I explored many careers and had many adventures in search of the best way to make a difference in the world. I hiked over 1700 miles, traveled to 5 continents, managed a bakery, started a meditation center, counseled troubled teens, attended Duke, UNC, and Harvard, protected forests as a wildland firefighter, volunteered thousands of hours with Americorps, rafted the Grand Canyon, and SCUBA dived on the Great Barrier Reef.
My next adventure is starting a family with my beautiful wife in our Wilmington home. I'm sure there will be many mistakes along the way, but I hope we're able to create a loving household that's a beacon of support and clarity for others in our community. Thank you for all of your support throughout our journey.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a wonderful holiday full of family, friends, and love.
Doing Nothing Is Something
In our fast paced world where we're evaluated by what we accomplish, it's strange to consider the value of doing nothing. Sure, you can count the number of hours you sit or the number of courses you complete, but no one's giving you certificates or congratulating you based on this score card. What I gain …
Feeling Morality
At my first course, I accepted the five precept (No killing, stealing, lying, intoxicants, or sexual misconduct) as part of the trial of this technique. Since the technique helped, I decided to continue my practice. I followed the precepts with varying degrees of strictness. While I didn't notice much of an impact during the day, it was very …
A New Language
One reason I believe I've had trouble connecting with people since committing to my daily meditation practice is the new language I use to think through the world. Instead of rationalizing my way through the choices in my day, I'm feeling my way through them. Instead of seeking entertainment, I'm seeking peace and quiet. Instead …
24/7 Happiness
My understanding of happiness is shifting. Happiness used to be based on an experience. I would do something enjoyable, and that would make me happy. I'm learning that happiness is just a state of mind independent of what I'm experiencing externally. If I'm aware of my sensations in the present moment, I'm happy. Instead of looking for …
Needing To Wanting To Appreciating
My expectations of the outside world are slowly transforming along with my self-confidence. When I was first introduced to this practice I knew I had discovered something special, but I had no idea how to integrate this foreign practice into my life. While I was a strong independent person, meaning in my life came from sharing …
Community Building
I've established my daily practice, and I was right that hosting a group sitting and writing a blog would help me focus on meditation, but I've had little success building a community. The attendance at my Goenka Vipassana group sitting has been low mostly because there just aren't enough meditators in this tradition around. There …
Identity
Its been 4 months since I left the center and I've successfully maintained my practice but to do so I've withdrawn from society. While I know this path is right, it's still very different from everyone around me. To get established in this practice, I found that I needed to pull back and look inward, …
Unrealistic Expectations
I took my first 10-day meditation course 2.5 years ago and I thought I had discovered the tool that would empower me to help people find peace and happiness in their lives. I've come to realize that finding peace and happiness is a very personal journey full of complex choices. While I've found this technique …
Living Vipassana 