Editor's Letter: Issue 11, Lodro Rinzler

Kristen Noel, photographed by Bill Miles

Dear Best Selfers:

They say seeing is believing or believing is seeing (depending upon your mood) — for a reason. You can surround yourself with all of the self-help books, motivational card decks, crystals and trendy new mala beads, but…

The rubber doesn’t truly hit the road until your butt hits the cushion — the meditation cushion that is.

Alas, meditation is becoming all the rage… why? Because what we are doing in our fast-paced lives of quick fixes and distractions isn’t working. Oh, and also because now we have the science to back up the physiological benefits… so we are coming to believe what the Buddhists have known since the beginning of time.

Disclaimer: Meditation isn’t just for Buddhists and there is no need to convert in order to practice, but feel free. Call it prayer or inner connection, call it what you want — but there is no denying the profound impact of carving out the time to quiet your mind and to connect to your best self (couldn’t resist!).

Lodro Rinzler had me at his book title, The Buddha Walks Into A Bar, which is among five he has written. His grounded, humorous, deeply passionate and quirky personality is palpable and literally falls from the pages of his work right into your life — making spiritual text relatable to our contemporary experience. You’ll know what I mean from reading page one of any of his books. And then you will want to hang out with him.

This issue is dedicated to meditation, mindfulness and the sublime new space Lodro and his partner, Ellie Burrows, have created in New York City – MNDFL: a drop-in meditation studio that melds a divine, modern design aesthetic with lasting impact.

Imagine giving yourself a ‘time out’ in the middle of the day – hopping over to the studio, grabbing a cushion and getting your OM on.

It is literally the quietest space amidst the hustle and bustle of the city that I have ever been in. When I arrived early to our scheduled appointment I had the opportunity to witness the inner-workings of the studio. From the minute you enter the space you are awash with a sense of calm and release. A sign reads, “Get Grounded: Please remove your shoes” and while you are at it, “Free Your Cell / Self: You can check your phone at the front desk.” If you can make it past the first two prompts without twitching, you are in for a treat — and dare I say, you’ll want to come back for more.

Like a fly on the wall, I observed individuals arriving for their meditation class and afterwards experienced the transformation within them all.

And I might add, it was quite a diverse group. Meditation isn’t about being a part of a trendy club, it is about authentic connection to self and a larger community. But somehow this studio manages to synthesize it all – it is a place you want to hang, it’s a place that brings out the best in you and connects you to others in a genuine way.

There’s a cushion for all – beginners, seasoned meditators and everyone in between. We make time to book everything else in our lives – appointments to get our hair done, our teeth cleaned, the oil in our car changed… what about a little mind-time? As the MNDFL website states “space to breath.” We all need some, so let’s get our meditation on.

With love and OM’s,