I consider myself to be a professional pointer. I point to the best books, resources, experiences, and other teachers. As a mindfulness meditation teacher I try to pay attention and help others on their path by pointing out the next steps to take. Zen has been described as "a finger pointing at the moon". You can have the best teacher in the world but if the student keeps looking at the finger, they are missing the point. But that doesn't stop me from trying! As a private teacher I try to find the best way to point so you don't have to struggle so hard. And that's really it isn't it? We are all trying to get through this life without having to struggle so hard. For most people, if it could just be a little bit easier, that would be enough. So that's what I try to do. I try to show you how the waves that keep knocking you down aren't going to stop. You can't smooth out the ocean. But you CAN learn to be a better surfer. You can learn to manage your hardships, stress, anxiety, depression, and suffering a little better by gaining perspective, doing self work, practicing meditation/mindfulness, and accepting the things you can't change. When you learn to do this, it makes EVERYTHING in life just a little bit easier. I've been learning and teaching these lessons my entire adult life. First as a martial arts and self defense teacher. Then as an English and Japanese language teacher. As a college professor and now as a meditation/mindfulness teacher. I have taught this in meditation retreats to 100's of students in Chinese monasteries, to employees at law firms, to students in university, and to people I meet at the coffee shop. I can show you how to do it too.