The Light Watkins Show

61: Manoj Dias on Giving Up the Traditional Dream in Order to Follow His Purpose of Creating Community Around Meditation


Listen Later

At the End of the Tunnel is a podcast about hope, inspiration, and people who have found their calling. This is likely something we all fantasize about; finding our life’s purpose or our ‘why’, and this week’s guest has a backstory that many listeners will find extremely relatable. It's the story of being seduced by what Light refers to as the acquisitive approach to happiness. In other words, it's the thinking that as soon as you make a certain amount of money, or get promoted, or find your soulmate, then you will be truly happy. 

From the outside looking in, Manoj Dias had it all. A decorated corporate marketing career, an enviable paycheck, his good looks, but something still felt off. That persistent ‘offness' ultimately culminated in a panic attack at his high-paying job, which then spiraled into 18-months of depression, insomnia, and disordered eating, with the occasional suicidal ideation thrown in for good measure. Then, he discovered the magic of meditation and found what he'd been looking for all along: a connection to something real.

Since first being introduced to meditation and embarking on his own journey to become a teacher, Manoj has helped thousands of people to embrace the stillness of mind and body, enabling them to live fearlessly on the path to a happier and more meaningful life. 

In this episode, we dive into his early childhood in Sri Lanka and his fascination with becoming a Buddhist monk, his deep desire to belong as an immigrant child in Australia, and what he modeled success on as an 18-year-old father. Manoj shares his belief that he wasn’t afforded the power of choice in his career and what meditation taught him about compassion, suffering, ego, and generosity, and we discuss the value of spiritual nourishment, community, and honing in on your purpose. 

Ultimately, this is an episode about the importance of deeply connecting with what matters to you most, a topic about which Manoj has a wealth of wisdom and lived experience to share, so make sure to tune in today for a truly enlightening conversation!

Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Light Watkins ShowBy Light Watkins

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

861 ratings


More shows like The Light Watkins Show

View all
Aubrey Marcus Podcast by Aubrey Marcus

Aubrey Marcus Podcast

3,991 Listeners

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness

21,269 Listeners

Align Podcast by Aaron Alexander

Align Podcast

878 Listeners

The Mark Groves Podcast by Mark Groves

The Mark Groves Podcast

4,728 Listeners

Commune with Jeff Krasno by Commune

Commune with Jeff Krasno

607 Listeners

The Human Design Podcast by Emma Dunwoody

The Human Design Podcast

437 Listeners

WITH LOVE, DANIELLE by Danielle LaPorte

WITH LOVE, DANIELLE

659 Listeners

The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst by Doug Bopst

The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst

348 Listeners

Kreatures Of Habit Podcast by Michael Chernow

Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

247 Listeners

The Gathering Room Podcast by Martha Beck

The Gathering Room Podcast

652 Listeners

HEAL with Kelly by Best In Wellness

HEAL with Kelly

402 Listeners

Know Thyself by André Duqum

Know Thyself

549 Listeners

Take Back Your Mind by Michael B. Beckwith

Take Back Your Mind

723 Listeners

Why Isn't Everyone Doing This? with Emily Fletcher by Emily Fletcher

Why Isn't Everyone Doing This? with Emily Fletcher

448 Listeners

Healing + Human Potential by Alyssa Nobriga

Healing + Human Potential

313 Listeners