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Space For Peace: The Urban Monk
Nestled in Bhubaneswar, The Urban Monk stands as a haven for those seeking peace and balance in the midst of life’s relentless pace. This wellness initiative, deeply rooted in the philosophy of harmonizing mind, body, and spirit, offers a unique blend of services designed to nurture holistic well-being. Founded with the belief that true wellness extends beyond physical health, The Urban Monk is a sanctuary where ancient mindfulness practices meet modern-day needs. As you step into their tranquil space, you are greeted by an atmosphere of calm—a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The in-person workshops that take place in the temple city are not just a place for meditation; it is a retreat where individuals can reconnect with themselves, leaving behind the stress and noise of everyday life.
The Urban Monk offers mindfulness meditation and breathwork workshops. These sessions, available both online and offline, are meticulously crafted to cater to the needs of individuals, corporations, and educational institutions alike. Recognizing the pervasive impact of stress in today’s world, these workshops focus on stress reduction, emotional stability, and breathwork—a holistic approach that addresses both the mind and body. Whether it’s a three-hour online workshop or a more intensive in-person session, participants are guided through practices that have the power to transform their daily lives. Corporate environments, often characterized by high stress and relentless competition, are also a focus for The Urban Monk. Understanding the toll that such environments can take on employees, they offer specialized corporate workshops aimed at enhancing workplace wellness and productivity. These sessions are based on scientific and empirically proven techniques that promote mental clarity and emotional resilience, helping employees navigate the challenges of modern work life with greater ease. Educational institutions, too, are recognizing the importance of mindfulness, especially in the context of rising stress and anxiety among students. The Urban Monk’s institution workshops are designed to be engaging and accessible, helping students cultivate focus, emotional balance, and resilience. These workshops are not just about teaching techniques; they are about empowering young minds to face the pressures of modern life with confidence and calm.
For those facing deeper psychological challenges, The Urban Monk provides counseling sessions with trained psychologists. These sessions delve into the layers of life’s challenges, offering guidance and support for issues ranging from anxiety and panic attacks to relationship problems and fear psychosis. This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of an individual’s well-being is addressed.
Buddhaditya, the founder of The Urban Monk, has dedicated over six years to the practice of mindfulness and Zen meditation, having trained at the Bodhi Zendo Monastery. His journey into mindfulness was sparked by his deep interest in Buddhist teachings and the works of masters like Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Dr. John Kabat-Zinn. His doctoral work was into Mindfulness, Resilience, and Well-Being. Buddhaditya is also a certified Mindfulness coach, a certified Emotional Intelligence Trainer and a counseling psychologist, offering workshops and sessions to help others find calm and harmony. His diverse background includes Tai Chi, karate, photography, and music, all reflecting his commitment to balance and self-expression.
My City Links had a conversation with Buddhaditya to understand ‘The Urban Monk’ and what it does in more depth. Below are the excerpts from our conversation.
What inspired you to start The Urban Monk, and how has your journey in mindfulness shaped its vision?
Starting The Urban Monk was a natural extension of my own journey in mindfulness and a deep desire to share the transformative power of these practices with others. As I went on doing intense mindfulness practices, I noticed profound changes in my own life—greater clarity, reduced stress, and a deeper sense of purpose. After some years of self-practice, I felt compelled to create a platform that could offer these benefits to a wider audience. My journey in mindfulness has found it a resource that is not only meditative but also a practice that can be integrated into everyday life, helping people find moments of peace and presence no matter how busy their lives may be. My goal is to create a community where mindfulness is not just a practice but a way of living that brings balance, calmness, and happiness to people’s lives.
Can you share the core mission and vision behind The Urban Monk?
To create calm minds that can experience greater happiness and peace through mindfulness is my vision. My mission is to teach individuals, organizations, and institutions, mindfulness and other internal practices which will bring about a greater sense of well-being and happiness in their lives.
What challenges have you encountered in integrating mindfulness practices into corporate and educational environments?
One of the primary challenges has been overcoming the initial skepticism and misconceptions about mindfulness. India is still far behind in adopting these practices. In many corporate settings, mindfulness is sometimes perceived as being too abstract or disconnected from business objectives. I feel, it requires careful communication to present mindfulness as a universally applicable tool for enhancing focus, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being, rather than exclusively as a religious or spiritual practice.
How do you see the role of mindfulness evolving in today’s fast-paced world?
There has been a growing awareness and acceptance of the importance of mental well-being, especially in the wake of the global pandemic. If you see globally, the big companies such as Google, Aetna, Ford Motors, and in fact, almost half the American employers do mindfulness training according to a Harvard survey. Mind control and emotional regulation are so much the need of the hour. We only need to understand that mindfulness is not a separate practice, rather a method for a calm daily living.
Can you share some insights from your training at the Bodhi Zendo Monastery and how it influenced your meditation practices?
The monastery is a beautiful place and it exudes a very serene atmosphere. We were trained in doing simple daily chores with utmost attention and respect for that activity. Zen is about being in the moment actively without oscillating into past and future thoughts. Apart from the long rigorous hours of formal meditations, the practice of bringing your complete attention to every little thing we did showed us how much we miss in life by just being in an auto-pilot mode.
How do your interests in Tai Chi, karate, and photography contribute to your overall philosophy of well-being?
Interesting question. I feel every cell in our body needs to feel the peace and the freedom to express itself. Tai Chi, which is a kind of moving meditation, is a soothing practice and a beautiful way to express yourself. The same goes for karate, photography, and music. These practices essentially bring you acutely into the present moment. This unification with the Now brings deep well-being.
Can you describe a particularly transformative experience you’ve had through mindfulness or Zen meditation?
Well, I have had so many. But then, I can tell you a few. I used to be an extremely emotionally reactive person. With practice, I developed a beautiful emotional regulation that enables me to respond the way I want to in situations. The second transformation that happened is I could see myself very happy and completely at peace being alone. It built my patience a lot. There are so many things to talk about.
How do you balance your personal practices with your professional responsibilities at The Urban Monk?
It is tough. And I am doing something on a tough terrain like Odisha where the awareness around mindfulness is yet to catch up. But then, the Zen training is about making everything a meditation. Whatever you do, if you completely absorb yourself doing that then it becomes a meditative practice. Having said that, my formal meditations sometimes suffer due to professional tasks.
What is the most rewarding part of your work at The Urban Monk?
The most rewarding part is seeing people heal. When I see my participants find their calm and peace and the smile that then comes on their faces, it is very rewarding.
How do you see the future of wellness practices like meditation and mindfulness?
I think slowly people have realized that they have been going a little too fast and burnouts are happening everywhere. I can see there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental and emotional well-being. People are realizing that true wellness goes beyond physical health and encompasses the mind and spirit as well. In short, the future is bright if we maintain genuineness in practice.
What impact do you hope The Urban Monk will have on the community?
As the science behind mindfulness continues to evolve and more research highlights its benefits, we’ll see a broader acceptance and adoption of these practices. It will become a sort of a backbone for the community in the years to come.
Can you share a success story that highlights the effectiveness of your work?
There are quite a few. One particular lady had depression with some anxiety symptoms. I did Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with her. I worked with her for about 7 to 8 sessions, and today I see her as a successful Vaastu consultant giving confident advice to her clients.
What are your future goals for The Urban Monk?
I want to bring mindfulness into schools and universities. We need to address the problems at the root level. I also intend to collaborate with hospitals in the state to bring these healing practices alongside medical practices. Dr. John Kabat Jinn, who started his mindfulness training at the Massachusetts Medical College, today has thousands of mindfulness clinics in hospitals the world over.
How do you maintain your own well-being while managing the demands of running The Urban Monk?
That is easy. I come back home, into myself, many times in the day. And home is the place where you find peace, security, and warmth. This heals.
What advice would you give to someone just beginning their mindfulness journey?
I tell everyone to start with an open mind and an open heart. Start without expectations. Keep practicing and slowly you will learn the skill.
