In my previous article , I talked about how difficult it was, at first, to sit down and practice. But what happens when you overcome the hurdle of boredom and impatience?
In my case, the answer came from where I least expected it: my body. After a period of consistent practice , I began to notice tangible changes . And I’m not just talking about subjective sensations, but objective findings confirmed by clinical tests . It was a moment of great amazement: I saw firsthand how deeply interconnected the mind and body are. Seeing that meditation practice was having positive effects on my physical health gave me the definitive push to make comprehensive lifestyle changes .
The greatest lesson: “Everything passes.” However, the most precious gift that Mindfulness gave me in those years wasn’t just physical. It was a shift in mental perspective. I learned a fundamental lesson: everything passes . Before, I tended to run away from uncomfortable emotions or unpleasant situations. The practice taught me the opposite art: that of staying. I learned to listen to my body’s signals, even the faintest ones, and to understand that even the darkest moments, the most pressing anxiety, or the deepest sadness are transitory and fleeting. This awareness has made me a much more patient person and capable of managing stress independently, without running away.
The challenge of silence. The enthusiasm for these results was such that it pushed me to do something that “old Francesca” would have considered unthinkable: my first meditation retreat . Three days of silence at the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute. I remember thinking before leaving: “I’ll never be able to spend three days alone meditating, without speaking .” And instead? Instead, it was a beautiful experience. So powerful that I immediately decided to repeat it. Today it has become a regular appointment for me, one week twice a year, to revive my practice.
Mindfulness had improved my life on what I thought were separate levels: physical health and emotional balance . At that point , I felt a new desire arise: I could no longer keep all this to myself .
Francesca Urciuoli
