06: From Monastery to Modern Life: Rich Ray's Journey of Yoga, Meditation, and Love.
Today, I am delighted to have Rich Ray, my partner of 11 years, joining me as a guest on the podcast.
Rich and I had our first proper conversation at a yoga party, even though we had known each other for several years through the yoga community. Rich shared that he had spent four years living in a monastery about a decade earlier. That piqued my interest and made me want to know him better.
Stay tuned to hear his fascinating story and learn about the benefits of yoga and meditation.
His Early Experiences
Rich had a lot of anger to process, which manifested as depression. That led him to yoga and meditation, and he spent several years visiting a Zen monastery for week-long retreats before committing to a life of silence there. Drawn by a calling, he felt a compelling need to do that, despite his initial fears about the significant change it would mean for his life and relationships.
Life at the Monastery
At the monastery, Rich lived in silence and practiced meditation. Away from distractions like books and screens, the environment encouraged deep personal reflection and presence in the moment, helping him foster a deeper understanding of himself.
His Teacher
His teacher played a dual role, modeling evolved behavior and pushing his students to promote growth by making them face uncomfortable situations. That often involved assigning tasks outside their skill sets to challenge them to learn and adapt. He did that to reveal their dependency on externals for happiness and shift their focus from external conditions to cultivating a peaceful state and developing internal stability.
Observing the Mind
Observing the contents of the mind involves paying attention to body sensations, breath, thoughts, and beliefs. That practice revealed to Rich how he limited himself with assumptions and judgments, leading him to a more liberated way of engaging with life.
Leaving the Monastery
After four years, Rich felt ready to re-engage with the world. He eased his transition into the world by teaching yoga as a natural extension of his monastic training and awareness practices.
The Relationship Between Kate and Rich
Rich and Kate have built their relationship on mutual respect. It thrives on their shared commitment to self-transformation. They see their relationship as a supportive container to help one another grow as they navigate different paths.
Teaching Yoga
Rich enjoys having a quiet, undistracted space for his yoga practice to allow his students to observe their minds and bodies. He holds space for them without interfering to ensure that they can explore their personal experiences deeply.
Understanding Meditation
Meditation is a broad concept with various interpretations. Rich explains that it involves becoming present and aware of your experience. That awareness helps people understand how stress manifests in their bodies and assists them in identifying any triggers and unhelpful behaviors.
Internal vs. External Stress Management
Contrasting meditation with quick fixes like medication, which does not address the underlying causes of stress, Rich explains that meditation requires one to observe and understand stress deeply. Over time, the practice leads to a more empowered approach to stress management, allowing people to change their internal processes.
Links and Resources:
Ayurvedic Living Community Membership
Connect with Rich Ray:
On his website
On Instagram
Rich's teacher is Cheri Huber at Living Compassion
