Meditation can help us respond with intelligence, wisdom, and humor to the inevitable challenges of life.

Whether it's the happy occasion of a friend's daughter having twins or a niece getting a short-story published, or the difficulty of a family member facing a serious illness or the sadness of losing a dear friend, meditation is an amazing tool to help us negotiate life.

Mina says "Just sitting quietly for five-minutes a day - with our smart phones and other media devices turned OFF - can be amazing. And a deeper and more regular practice results in surprising dividends of joy and compassion."

Recommended reading: Thich Nhat Hanh's The Miracle of Mindfulness

Photograph by Mina Hamilton