Because Michael Singer had earned my respect, I continued to listen to his podcasts and read all of his books. Up to this point, he planted a bigger and stronger seed of interest in meditation within me after the Buddhist teacher Minh Niem. As I flipped through the pages of his books, I envisioned him immersing himself in the serene beauty of the forest, meditating for hours on end, completely disconnected from the outside world. It was an experience I longed to try for myself.
However, I had no prior knowledge about meditation and was uncertain about where or how to begin. While I’m generally open-minded, easy-going, and adaptable, I’m highly selective when choosing a mentor. I need to thoroughly research and ensure that they are extraordinarily skilled at what they do and worthy of both my time and financial investment. Since Thijs, I couldn’t help but notice that everything happening afterward kept unfolding slowly around me, pointing me more clearly toward meditation and the spiritual world. My stubborn and analytical mind resisted fiercely, arguing that these experiences were merely figments of my imagination and that my powerful brain could bend reality to fit my desires. So, I made a little bet with myself and my analytical mind—I would refrain from taking any proactive steps toward meditation, such as seeking a mentor or enrolling in a class or course. At the time, I was deeply engrossed in writing my book, so this arrangement suited me perfectly. I believed that if meditation was truly meant for me, the universe would orchestrate an event or send someone to facilitate it. It felt like a fair bet, one that even my analytical mind seemed to accept.
And lo and behold, my intuition wasn’t wrong!
Two weeks later, seemingly out of nowhere, my gym friend Lea approached me, extending an invitation to join her for a meditation class. Initially, she had planned to attend with another friend, who unfortunately fell ill. She assured me that the instructor was highly skilled, as she had attended many sessions with him before. Over months of conversing with her, I had come to recognize her as intelligent, sensible, and deeply experienced with meditation, so I trusted her judgment instantly. Additionally, the class was to be held on the top floor of the A’DAM Tower—an added allure to the experience! Without any hesitation, I eagerly accepted Lea’s invitation.
***A’DAM Tower is an iconic fancy 22-storey multifunctional tower. While to many countries this might not seem significant, for a flat country like the Netherlands, it’s quite impressive and spectacular. From the top floor where our class took place, we could have a magnificent 360-degree view of the city, harbor, and polders.
On that very day, we practiced breathing meditation led by Tim van der Vliet. It was the first time in my life that I wholeheartedly followed a meditation practice. Towards the end of the session, as we transitioned into 15 minutes of silent meditation, Tim mentioned that more advanced practitioners might feel themselves floating above the floor. To my surprise, I effortlessly delved deep into meditation and felt all the sensations he described and beyond. A sense of calmness and peacefulness enveloped me, and I experienced a profound feeling of nothingness. It was a moment of happiness, intense curiosity, and newfound emotions all at once. I even felt slight teardrops in the corner of my eyes, which I quickly wiped away.
This was the second time I found myself in tears, following the first instance during the hypnotherapy sessions with Ralf. During that session, I had a clear reason for crying, but here, I couldn’t pinpoint why tears were streaming down my face.
After the meditation, Tim asked everyone about their experiences. It struck me then that many people who had been meditating for months or years had never experienced what I just did—floating and feeling nothingness. And this was my first time!
As I left, I couldn’t shake off two burning questions:
“Why did I cry?”
“Why was it so seemingly easy for me to go deep into the meditation and experience those emotions? Is it a one-time occurrence or am I gifted for it?”
Another intriguing detail Tim shared briefly at the start of the session was that he had been a day trader for many years. At some point, he grew tired of it; money wasn’t a strong enough motivator to keep him engaged. So, he made the decision to leave and eventually found his way to breathing meditation. Remarkably, he even published a book chronicling his spiritual awakening journey.
I was so fascinated by Tim’s story that I made it my mission to approach him after the class to learn more about him and his life. Despite having plans for the day, Tim graciously agreed to stay and chat with me, unaware of my intentions or who I was.
My conversation with Tim proved to be truly inspiring and uplifting. He shared in detail about his previous days as a day trader, explaining why he chose to leave that path and what inspired him to pursue his current work in spirituality and meditation. Similar to Michael Singer, Tim was another clear example before me, demonstrating that one could be deeply engaged in the spiritual realm while still managing a successful business. Better yet, he is someone I could interact with in real life, adding a tangible dimension to his wisdom.
As our conversation deepened, I found myself resonating with Tim’s journey on a personal level. Exhausted by my nearly decade-long tenure in the affiliate marketing industry, I too yearned for a deeper sense of purpose and a desire to make a meaningful impact. While Tim had already finished his book, I was immersed in writing mine. It felt like all the questions and doubts swirling in my mind were finally being answered by someone who had walked the path before me. His words bestowed upon me a wealth of information, inspiration, and indirect encouragement.
If this blog post ever finds its way to Google search results and Tim happens to come across it, I want to reiterate what I told him in person that day: “Tim, you’re truly amazing, and the work you’re doing is remarkable. You won me over not only with your excellent instruction, which made everything enjoyable and easy to follow, but also with your open-mindedness, honesty, and kindness!”
To anyone reading this post, whether you live in Amsterdam or elsewhere in the world, I highly recommend joining a session with Tim. I guarantee you won’t regret it.
So, that was the one and only meditation class I attended from then until now. Afterward, my journey took another unique turn, which you’ll soon discover.
Returning home from that class, my mind buzzed with curiosity and questions. I began to read and listen to many books and podcasts about meditation to deepen my understanding. In the midst of my exploration, one of my good friends suggested I start with a Headspace program on Netflix—a beginner’s guide to meditation, and so I did. If I recall correctly, the program consists of ten lessons, each focusing on a different meditation technique and lasting approximately ten minutes. Even though I didn’t know all the techniques, ten minutes felt incredibly easy for me. I didn’t need any guided voice to stay focused. I found it effortless to quiet my thoughts and fully immerse myself in the practice. Everything came naturally and easily.
But, how come?
** This chapter is part of a TEN-chapter series— don’t miss any part of the story! Stay updated and read more chapters from this series here:
- Part 1: What the Heck is Meditation? Definitely Not for Me!
- Part 2: Attempts to Convert Me into a Believer—The Universe?! Good Luck with That!
- Part 3: God, Allah, Buddha, and the Universe—Help Me! I Beg for Mercy!
- Part 4: The Planted Seeds
- Part 5: My Surrender Experiment
- Part 6: Are These Signs from the Universe?
- Part 7: The Epiphanies
- Part 8: How Meditation Changed Me and My Life
- Part 9: The Most Phenomenal and Bizarre Experience of My Life
- Part 10 (Final): The Power of Going Within
