In this episode, I share my experience from my second visit to the California Vipassana Center where I recently sat for a 10 day silent meditation retreat.  I discuss meditation, and how to start and maintain a practice.

Vipassana is one of the world’s most ancient meditative techniques. It was practiced 25 centuries ago by Gotama the Buddha, who said he had rediscovered a much older practice. After his enlightenment in 528 BCE, the Buddha spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching the way out of suffering. Vipassana is the essence of what he taught. The Buddha’s teaching is known by the general term Dhamma (Sanskrit: Dharma).

For five centuries Vipassana helped millions of people in India, the Buddha’s homeland. This era saw the matchless reign of the great Emperor Asoka (273-236 BCE) who united India and initiated a golden age of peace and prosperity. Asoka also sent ambassadors of Dhamma to all the neighboring kingdoms (including what has become Myanmar in modern times), thereby spreading both the practice and the words of the Buddha.

After about 500 years the practice of Vipassana had disappeared from India. Fortunately it was maintained by a continuous chain of meditation teachers in the neighboring country of Myanmar (Burma) until the present day.

In our time, Vipassana has been reintroduced to India and to people from all over the world by
S. N. Goenka, a retired industrialist of Indian heritage who was born in Myanmar. He learned the technique of Vipassana from Sayagyi U Ba Khin, the renowned lay Vipassana teacher who was the first to teach westerners in English. U Ba Khin appointed him to teach Vipassana in 1969.   

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

Larry grew up virtually in “fatherless environment” for most of my life.  He didn’t meet his real father until he was 30 years old.  As fate would have it, their paths crossed when he walked into a coffee shop eight years ago.  They now have a great relationship now and spend a great deal of time together.

It was really through his own childhood struggles that Larry realized true passion for being a dad.

Children are not born with manuals and the Journey of Fatherhood doesn’t necessarily come with a “map.”  There are challenges, twists, and turns along the way.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

Winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in swimming was the most humbling and rewarding experience of Caroline Burckle's life. A lifelong road of pursuing a goal not only taught her the importance of clear communication, leadership, self-confidence, and goal-setting, but how to authentically follow a vision that was once merely a dream.

Caroline thrives when developing individuals and athletes. She defines  success as empowering a person to tap into their true potential. Whether rocking a one-on-one individual coaching session or speaking to a group of people, She is passionate in her quest to elevate people in the areas of life they want to master, whether it be sport, life, job, or personal development!

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the essentials for meditaion, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

While aging is a biological reality, you can still live an amazing life at any age with the right health, fitness, nutrition, and mindset plan. Jay's mission at FabFitOver40 is to help you become the best version of yourself at any age. Jay Shares: How Testosterone Replacement Therapy:

The information provided (if applied) is LIFE CHANGING. We talk about how the future of medicine is to be empowered and educated and become your own Doctor. Jay can be found online at http://fabfitover40.com.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

Manny Wolfe shares his story of living an unmentored life.  Raised in a religious cult, he eventually found freedom.  Now a dynamic coach and speaking mentor, Manny coaches people to gain the confidence and charisma along with the skills to move from the life you are leading to the one you dream of. There is no smoke and mirrors to it, but there is a lot of hard work and even some discomfort during the process. Manny expects clients to dig deep in order to get to the core of your limiting beliefs so you can leave them behind you as you become aligned with your optimal self. Manny's blog can be found at www.thesteepside.com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

What started out as a dream soon turned into reality. “The Spaniard” fought at every level of the industry, including an 11-fight UFC career. After upsetting #6 ranked Rick Story in 2011, Charlie skyrocketed into the world rankings and went head-to-head with the best fighters in the world, such as UFC Champion Johny Hendricks and #1 ranked light heavyweight Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.

While illustrating specific principles and examples that helped propel him to the top of the fighting world, Charlie specializes in maximizing performance through a life of excellence. “The Spaniard” has deconstructed his success principles into 3 Functions for Success and 12 Elements of Excellence.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

After 15 years of drinking, Natalie exhausted herself and dropped to the ground. She had been charged with 2 Felonies, 3 DUI'S/Child Endangement, and endured a devastating custody battle.  She finally found my way and got back up again. She reached the turning point with humility, humbleness and devotion and had a profound spiritual enlightenment. Now she shares to enlighten you so that when joy arises, you can feel it and become it.  Natalie is proud to be sober since May 8th 2008.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

Zach Even-Esh is an athlete and coach based in New Jersey; as a coach to youth athletes, Zach teaches mental strength and toughness while also coaching people to new levels athletically.  Himself a former body-builder turned strength athlete, Zach has has worked with thousands of people across the country, preaching his hardcore philosophy of Underground Strength.  We can learn a lot from Zach, he started in his garage and now owns two Cross Fit Affiliated gyms, and is well known throughout the strength training community.  

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

Jason Mackenzie the father of 2 beautiful girls.  His first wife committed suicide after a tragic struggle with bipolar disorder.   Jason drank a hell of a lot for a long time and did all the stupid stuff that drunks do.  Puked all over.  Pissed all over. He drove drunk, said stupid things and thought he was smart while I was saying them.  He felt guilty & felt like shit.  He made choices that destroyed his ability to reach my potential. Then he made them again.  And again.  Done with all that now,  Jason has started a completely new journey. He believes with all his heart that sharing it with you will help you.  He's really not a monk at all.  But he's closer to finding inner peace and celebrating each moment.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.

Lisa Schmidt is a Dating and Relationship coach in Detroit and the author of a popular column on Huffington Post. She is a regular contributor to The SWexperts, and talks about Dating, Divorce, and successful relationshps.  She helps people maintain their sense of self while developing the love and relationships you want.

Her column "10 Things That Changed Me After the Death of a Parent" went viral being shared over 121,000 times just from Huffingtonpost. We talk about relationships, grief, connecting with our human emotions on our life journey.  I think you'll like this chat.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review on iTunes. It helps our show get found, and I truly appreciate it.  Also, the way this show grows is by word of mouth.  or rather you sharing on social media, talking to friends, tweeting about it, posting on Facebook.

To stay in touch with the show, get detailed show notes, and subscribe to my email newsletter, visit DavidRachford.com/podcast.  I’ve got a great info-graphic I just released that shares the 5 simple tools I used to lose 50 lbs in 6 months, just subscribe to my list and I’ll send it over.  I won’t spam you, I just send out a weekly email to keep in touch and share some things I’m working on.