Discovering Mind

Serves Leesburg, VA

35244

Hired 10 times

1 employee

20 years in business

Not yet available

4.8

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Michael Hess
Completed on 3/7/2022

Introduction

I am a western yogi in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. I was born and have lived most of my life in the USA, but I have also lived and studied in both India and Tibet, and have traveled extensively throughout Tibet, India, Nepal, China, and the neighboring Himalayan areas. I have been practicing meditation, pranayama (breath control), and tsa lung (energy practices) in the Tibetan Buddhist and Hatha Yoga traditions for 30 years, and teaching for more than 15 years. I have received sacred empowerments and meditation instructions from more than 50 Tibetan lamas and accomplished yogis, including the Dalai Lama. I have participated in hundreds of meditation-related programs and retreats throughout the USA as well as Tibet, India, Nepal and China. I have spent several years in solitary meditation retreat at traditional Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas as well as throughout Asia. I am also a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. My students and clients are seeking meditation, pranayama, tsa lung, and yoga instruction, as well as spiritual counseling for a wide variety of reasons, including secular ones (physical, mental and emotional health) as well as spiritual ones. While I teach the most profounds methods and techniques from the Tibetan Buddhist and Hatha Yoga traditions, these practices are applicable to students and clients from any spiritual belief system, but particularly for those practitioners who feel a connection with the Eastern spiritual traditions. Meditation, pranayama and energy practices are the gateway to outer physical and mental health as well as inner spiritual realization. The hidden traditions are the most profound methods of accomplishing these benefits. I am so fortunate to have received these teachings and blessings over the past 30 years, and I am honored to have the opportunity to pass them on to others who have genuine interest in receiving them and putting them into practice. I offer a free consultation at no charge or obligation. Please contact me to arrange a convenient time. I look forward to working with you soon.

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

I generally charge a fixed rate of $125 for a session which is typically 60 minutes long, although the rate can vary depending on the distance I travel and other factors. I offer discounts of up to 20% for purchasing multiple class sessions in advance (e.g., a 5, 10 or 20 classes). I also offer substantial discounts for students who commit to more intensive, long-term mentoring programs. I often work with groups in a variety of formats, as practicing with others in a group session can provide many benefits and as well as greatly reducing the cost per person (generally $15 to $20 for a drop-in or online class). I recognize that every student or client brings a unique perspective, objective, availability and budget. My goal is to offer a variety of programs, structures, and rates so that to the greatest extent possible, there is something for everyone.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

I offer and encourage a free initial consultation so that I can learn the student's meditation background and objectives, and so the student can make sure they feel comfortable with me. It is very important that the personalities, approach and teaching style are a good fit. I teach a seven step approach to learning meditation that guides a student from the very beginning through the most advanced levels of practice. This approach is discussed on my website and presented in detail in Dza Kilung Rinpoche's book, The Relaxed Mind (Shambhala Publications). In addition to the book, there is an audio program and other materials available for students seeking additional information to supplement their personal instruction.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I have been meditating for more than 30 years and have been a practicing Tibetan Buddhist since 1997. This involves reading and studying ancient Buddhist texts as well as studying the Tibetan language. I attend classes and retreats, working closely with Buddhist teachers; and most importantly, practicing on a daily basis. I meditate daily in addition to studying, teaching classes and working with students in a variety of formats. I attend meditation retreats in the USA several time each year, and periodically return to the Himalayas for solitary meditation retreats as well as pilgrimage journeys to sacred places in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Several years ago I completed a year-long, invitation only meditation teacher training program taught by Dza Kilung Rinpoche to learn the seven step approach on an in-depth basis. Following that year-long program, I spent more than one-year in solitary meditation retreat at Pangan Gonpa, a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the north Indian Himalayas.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

Thirty years ago, I served as CEO of two publicly traded real estate finance companies. I was a stereotypical Type A, stressed-out corporate executive. The combined workload and lifestyle led to a period of severe, nearly incapacitating anxiety. I decided to learn to meditate in order to better manage the anxiety I was experiencing. Although I was a very poor meditator in those days, within six months my anxiety was completely gone. Meditation literally saved my life, and I am joyful to have the opportunity to help others.

What types of customers have you worked with?

My clients come from all ages (from children to senior citizens) and walks of life, and from all religions and spiritual traditions. Many are seeking relief from physical, mental or emotional problems, including trauma, stress, anxiety and depression. Others are seeking spiritual solutions for their life, including peace, calm, and emotional stability in the face of life's often challenging circumstances.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

While in solitary meditation retreat at Pangan Gonpa in the north Indian Himalayas, I developed a sponsorship program to provide food, clothing and medicine for the young monks (ages five to 17) who live and study at the Ngoedup Choeling School run by the monastery. The program matches western sponsors with young monks and has created not only financial benefits for the monastery and monks, but friendship and connection for everyone involved.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Meditation instruction is not like learning a subject from a book in school, where even if you have a great teacher, you will only cover the material once in class and then be responsible for memorizing it on your own. Meditation is more like learning a sport, where first you are taught the fundamentals, and then you practice, practice, practice. You teacher--or coach--provides encouragement and feedback to point out your errors and refine your techniques, and then teaches new skills as you are ready to practice and develop them. However, meditation is much more than just exercise for the mind; it carries a profound and deep spiritual tradition. There is an opportunity to experience a genuine transmission of sacred energy that comes from a 2,500 year old lineage of authentic spiritual teachings. This requires cultivating a relationship with an experienced teacher with whom you have an actual connection. Examine your teachers carefully, try out a few, but stay with the one(s) whom you genuinely feel can guide you down the path of spiritual accomplishment. The mental and physical health benefits will happen automatically; they are the by-product of meditative progress; not the ultimate goal.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

Meditation provides the generally recognized benefits of improved mental and physical health, reduced stress, a calm mind and a peaceful disposition. These however, are only the beginning. Beyond these universal outer benefits, meditation unlocks the gateway to a genuine experience of the true nature of mind, inseparable from the fundamental nature of reality itself. There are plenty of opportunities to read about such things, but it is extraordinarily difficult to master these practices without direct instruction from an experienced teacher.