Finding Peace in Zen: A Californian's Journey from Burnout to Inner Peace
Hey there! I'm Jeffrey Goodwin, but you can just call me Jeff. I was born into a loving family in Oregon in 1987. Things went pretty smoothly for me. I managed to get into college and met my Ms. Right (she became my Mrs. Right later). After graduating, my career took off without a hitch. In just a few short years, I climbed the ladder and became a project manager.
Life was looking pretty sweet, right? Yeah, it sure was, until I hit a major roadblock at 30. That's when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was like a sledgehammer smashing into a beautiful mirror, shattering my perfect little world and throwing my life into complete chaos.
I had no option but to step away from my job and focus on getting well. And the people who cared about me got caught up in the mess too. They were deeply affected by my illness. It felt like my life had suddenly dropped into the darkest abyss, and I didn't know if I'd ever find my way out.
After a long period of treatment, my condition was finally under control. However, I still need to be careful about my emotions for the rest of my life. To help me cope with my illness, my wife, thank God she was always there for me, often accompanied me on trips, letting me immerse myself in nature.
In 2023, we saw some content on social media sharing amazing travel experiences in China, along with stunning pictures of the beautiful scenery. This inspired us to plan a trip to China. I lived in Japan for a time, so I'm quite open to Eastern cultures.
That summer, we visited the famous Shangri-La, which is renowned for its beautiful nature and unique ethnic minority culture. One afternoon, we were strolling along the local streets when I heard a clear, tinkling sound coming from a shop. That sound was like a melody from the heavens, striking right at my heart and seemingly washing away all the dust in my mind. We decided to go inside and started chatting with the shop owner.
It turned out to be a meditation club, and the sound we heard was the owner playing a crystal singing bowl, which is a tool used to assist in meditation. The owner didn't speak English, but we still managed to talk for over an hour via the translation app. During our conversation, I was introduced to the concept of "Zen" for the first time and also had my first experience with meditation. It was truly magical. Even though it was just a short session, I felt peace, which was very important for patients with bipolar disorder like me, so I couldn't help falling in love with meditation instantly.
Initially, we had planned to stay in Shangri-La for only two days, but because of this incredible experience, we canceled our subsequent itinerary and stayed to learn meditation from the shop owner. My wife was really happy to see me get such a beneficial hobby.
Since then, I've developed a deep connection with Zen and meditation. Even after returning to Los Angeles, I meditate for at least one hour every day and have joined some local meditation clubs. This practice has significantly improved my condition, and the longer I practice, the better I feel.
Over the past few years, we've traveled back to China several times, and talked with many people, such as old monks in remote temples, or reclusive painters in beautiful countryside. Everything we did during these trips followed one central theme: Zen. It felt like we were just like those ancient travelers in search of truth.
I will write more blogs about Zen, sharing my personal experiences as a real beneficiary. I hope to inspire more people to experience this amazing journey.
Stay tuned, and may you enjoy Peace In Zen.