Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.
Today we are joined by the remarkable Stephen Schettini—mindfulness teacher, author, TEDx speaker, and former Buddhist monk. Born to circus parents, Stephen struggled to find his place in the world, eventually leaving everything behind to hitchhike through India in search of meaning. He immersed himself in monastic life for eight years before stepping away to develop a non-religious, evidence-based approach to mindfulness.
In this episode, we’ll explore Stephen’s extraordinary journey, his unique perspective on mindfulness, and how we can cut through life’s chaos with clarity and purpose
ABOUT GUEST:
Stephen Schettini, known as “The Inner Monk,” is a former Buddhist monk turned mindfulness coach and author. After spending eight years studying Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and debate in Asia and Europe, Schettini transitioned to secular life, becoming a husband, father, and successful professional in writing, design, and typographic design.
In 2003, Schettini founded Quiet Mind Seminars with his wife Caroline, which morphed during the 2020 pandemic into his ongoing service Mindfulness Live. He successfully detaches meditative practices from their religious trappings, using simple scientific language to address today’s fast- paced, secular lifestyles.
Schettini’s books include, “The Novice,” a memoir of his monastic years, and “It Begins with Silence,” a secular guide to Buddhist teachings. He hosts regular online mindfulness sessions, offers personal guided meditation services, and conducts workshops and seminars. Through his brand, The Inner Monk, Schettini empowers individuals to reduce stress, improve focus, enhance relationships, and cultivate emotional intelligence.
KEY NOTES:
A Life Less Ordinary: From Circus to Monastery Mindfulness, Minus the Myths: A Scientific & Practical Approach Cutting Through Illusions: Gaining Clarity in a Distracted World Beyond Spirituality: Finding Meaning Without Dogma Mastering the Mind: Tools for Living with Awareness and Purpose
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:35 - Intro 03:09 - Who is Stephen, and What Does He Do - Meet our Today’s Guest 18:31 - Marx, Myths, and Misunderstandings: Rethinking History's Lessons 27:08 - From Philosophy to Buddhism: When Theory Fails, Where Do We Turn? 32:02 - From Theory to Action: Can We Build a More Compassionate World? 36:29 - The Modular Mind: Do We Control Our Thoughts, or Do They Control Us? 43:08 - Survival, Compassion, and Choice: The Mind’s Modular Dilemma 50:35 - Can We Change? The Path to Learning New Behavior 54:30 - Is the Mind Just an Action? Rethinking Consciousness 57:35 - Northern vs. Southern Buddhism: Exploring Two Paths 01:02:45 - Faith or Knowledge: The Path to Spiritual Growth 01:12:20 - Healing the Self and the World: A Journey to Collective Joy 01:18:58 - The New Religion: How Money Became Our Modern God 01:24:39 - Reclaiming Faith: How Spirituality Can Support Self-Improvement 01:31:59 - The Reckoning of Faith: How Questioning Leads to True Understanding 01:38:51 - How Can People Join Mindfulness Lives Class? 01:40:33 - One Piece of Advice from Stephen 01:42:15 - Outro
THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.innermonk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.schettini.3/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/schettini YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinnermonk
TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:
🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709
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Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟
#mindfulness, #selfawareness, #spirituality, #buddhism, #innerpeace
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