From Circus to Monk: A Journey to Mindfulness with Stephen Schettini

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. 

Today we are joined by the remarkable Stephen Schettini—mindfulness teacher, author, TEDx speaker, and former Buddhist monk. Born to circus parents, Stephen struggled to find his place in the world, eventually leaving everything behind to hitchhike through India in search of meaning. He immersed himself in monastic life for eight years before stepping away to develop a non-religious, evidence-based approach to mindfulness.

In this episode, we’ll explore Stephen’s extraordinary journey, his unique perspective on mindfulness, and how we can cut through life’s chaos with clarity and purpose

ABOUT GUEST:

Stephen Schettini, known as “The Inner Monk,” is a former Buddhist monk turned mindfulness coach and author. After spending eight years studying Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and debate in Asia and Europe, Schettini transitioned to secular life, becoming a husband, father, and successful 
professional in writing, design, and typographic design.

In 2003, Schettini founded Quiet Mind Seminars with his wife Caroline, which morphed during the 2020 pandemic into his ongoing service Mindfulness Live. He successfully detaches meditative practices from their religious trappings, using simple scientific language to address today’s fast-
paced, secular lifestyles.

Schettini’s books include, “The Novice,” a memoir of his monastic years, and “It Begins with Silence,” a secular guide to Buddhist teachings. He hosts regular online mindfulness sessions, offers personal guided meditation services, and conducts workshops and seminars. Through his brand, The Inner Monk, Schettini empowers individuals to reduce stress, improve focus, enhance relationships, and cultivate  emotional intelligence.

KEY NOTES:

A Life Less Ordinary: From Circus to Monastery
Mindfulness, Minus the Myths: A Scientific & Practical Approach
Cutting Through Illusions: Gaining Clarity in a Distracted World
Beyond Spirituality: Finding Meaning Without Dogma
Mastering the Mind: Tools for Living with Awareness and Purpose

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Episode Trailer
01:35 - Intro
03:09 - Who is Stephen, and What Does He Do - Meet our Today’s Guest
18:31 - Marx, Myths, and Misunderstandings: Rethinking History's Lessons
27:08 - From Philosophy to Buddhism: When Theory Fails, Where Do We Turn?
32:02 - From Theory to Action: Can We Build a More Compassionate World?
36:29 - The Modular Mind: Do We Control Our Thoughts, or Do They Control Us?
43:08 - Survival, Compassion, and Choice: The Mind’s Modular Dilemma
50:35 - Can We Change? The Path to Learning New Behavior
54:30 - Is the Mind Just an Action? Rethinking Consciousness
57:35 - Northern vs. Southern Buddhism: Exploring Two Paths
01:02:45 - Faith or Knowledge: The Path to Spiritual Growth
01:12:20 - Healing the Self and the World: A Journey to Collective Joy
01:18:58 - The New Religion: How Money Became Our Modern God
01:24:39 - Reclaiming Faith: How Spirituality Can Support Self-Improvement
01:31:59 - The Reckoning of Faith: How Questioning Leads to True Understanding
01:38:51 - How Can People Join Mindfulness Lives Class?
01:40:33 - One Piece of Advice from Stephen
01:42:15 - Outro

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.innermonk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.schettini.3/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/schettini
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinnermonk

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Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

#mindfulness, #selfawareness, #spirituality, #buddhism, #innerpeace