Combat To Calm; John Lawyer

John Lawyer is a testament to transformation, navigating the shift from combat to calm. He experienced war zones in Kuwait, Baghdad, and Kandahar and has been able to move to the serene realm of spiritual exploration. As a former counterintelligence special agent and asymmetric warfare specialist, he received a Bronze Star for counterterrorism operations. Now, he stands as a guide for Kishar, a non-profit online spiritual community. John, an Omnist, believes in the richness of human thought worldwide and offers individual spiritual coaching within the Kishar Spiritual Community. His compelling journey embodies both the warrior's valor and the seeker's introspection.

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Contact Info

Website: Kishar Spiritual Community

Podcast: Peace On Your Journey

Most Influential Person

Ram Dass

Effect On Emotions

You know, I had a lot of anger inside of me coming home, and maybe some rage.

It's hard to talk about, but I think being able to slow down and not react to things; I think that's been the biggest thing is being able to process things as they happen and not be as reactionary to events.

Before, I might have gotten frustrated because of a lack of control.

Thoughts On Breathing

During a challenging period of separation from my usual deployment partner, Stacy, I experienced a difficult time in Afghanistan, leading to a minor breakdown.

A friend, an Air Force colleague, introduced me to combat breathing, essentially a form of meditative breathing.

Despite its label, the technique centered me and played a crucial role in my healing process.

To elaborate, it involves pausing, inhaling for three or four steps, and then practicing a rhythmic breath cycle of inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.

Closing your eyes and quieting the mind; this simple yet effective practice, just works.

Bullying Story

This question about bullying takes me back to my childhood, a time when I felt somewhat awkward. Although I don't recall a specific bullying incident, the overarching memory is of never truly belonging or feeling accepted in school until high school.

Considering mindfulness, I believe it could have fostered a more inclusive and connected experience both with myself and others.

The lack of belonging resonates deeply, and I am convinced that cultivating mindfulness early on could have positively influenced a sense of acceptance and connection, making a substantial difference in those formative years.

Suggested Resources

Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Book: Who am I? The teaching of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi

App: Bookly

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