Meditation Stories with Michael Venmahavong. Tap Into Your Inner Wisdom

Hello.

My name is Joy D. Fanning, an astronaut of life, and I help people go inward to explore. This video is part of a series called Meditation Stories where you might hear me share some of my own stories, but the main part is to share other people's experiences because there are so many ways to meditate and so many things that come to us when we meditate. So without further ado, Here's the video.

Hey, Michael!

Hey, what's up, Joy?

Hey, hey, I'm doing good. It's raining now. I don't know if you could see it or not, but it's, it's raining. How are you doing, man?

Good, thank you. Thanks for having me.

Yeah, thanks for being here. I'm glad we worked this out to, to meet up like this.

Yeah, I'm excited to be able to share with you and hang out here.

Oh yeah, um, Michael, can you tell me a little bit about like yourself and, and what you do and everything?

Uh, yeah, so really, uh, started meditating probably, I would have to say, around probably 15 years ago. When I really started to, to really meditate, I got a book, and it was divinely— I feel like it was divinely sent. Um, it was a book by Dr. Brian Weiss. He's in Miami, Florida, but it's called Messages from the Masters. And so when I got a hold of this book, he had a little sentences about like how you can get into meditation, and it really clicked. Other than, you know, all the other ways that I had learned or was exposed to, he's like, notice how your shirt feels on your neck and like do a body scan. And it really clicked. And I used to always fall asleep, and then I would like hear myself snore, and then I was like, oh wow, like is that out-of-body experience or Like, it's funny how— and then I was like, oh no, that was conscious. Like, I'm conscious before I go into the subconscious, or maybe I'm observing myself. But, but yeah, after that— and I was actually working at a nail salon, and I would— there was a facial room that wasn't being used, and I would lay back on this like kind of a recliner. And then after that, I started sitting down and Indian style, and I would, you know, close my eyes, and it helped me to observe my mind. But then I caught myself, I would think sometimes too. But now, recently this week, I have realized that we just let the mind empty itself, but don't— and I've heard this technique before— is to If you do have a thought, don't, you know, let it add to, you know, don't chase thoughts and just learn to like let go. So that's really helped me. And not only meditation, I think it's like time to connect to the higher realms too, because I catch myself or observe like I'm getting information from somewhere. And so I use meditation when I'm in the steam room. I feel like just going inward, you know, not just for defragging, but, or being in the present moment, but using it a way to kind of like tap into other realms or other higher places. Mm-hmm, yeah. But every single day I try to sit with myself for about maybe every day for at least 10 years now, you know. And I wouldn't like— I can— an hour can go by pretty quick, but I usually do it in the morning. I never— I should do it at night too, but Um, yeah, it's always— I got a message from my guys that it's always available to us, this time to connect and to just connect with the peace. And it's always available to, um, have access to this, uh, unlimited, you know, peace, or to feel their energies. Yeah. Through just going within. I guess you could consider, yeah, meditation.

Yeah, like, that's like my tagline, going inward to explore, right? Because it's not just you that's inside, it's literally everything. And you have to go looking, and then you'll freaking find it. And right, it's amazing. It's not just you learn so much about yourself, but the other realms, your guides. You— and you just— it's a— you can literally sense it changing your energy. And, you know, it's, it's a beautiful thing. Wow, that's so cool. So 15 years ago you started meditating?

Because the reason I was looking for solutions or trying to learn is because, yeah, I would overthink or have anxiety or always thinking about something, the next simulation, stimulation, or like when I was little in grade school, thinking about, oh, the field trip, you know, always looking forward to things, you know, always having, you know, anxiety about future events. And, and so I knew, yeah, now I know it was a trigger, but now I know like, hey, this is part of my— the lesson that I'm here to learn is like I have a kind of an active mind. So maybe that's the air, the Aquarius or the Gemini in my chart. Um, but yeah, just being able to stay grounded and And, uh, it's amazing. You can just close your eyes. Like, I'll be at the gym lifting weights or something, and I can always close my eyes. And I remember I was sitting in the steam room like 15 years ago, and, and, uh, for you to be comfortable like closing your eyes like this, you know, just like anywhere, like sitting in the steam room with like so-called strangers or people that you you don't know personally, your ego or your fight or flight mechanism would kind of stop you from doing that. But I learned like, I would always kind of push or like play like little games and do self-talk or self, you know, and then I would became more comfortable. And now like I realize that, Sometimes when I, I think clearer too when I close my eyes.

So yeah, no, same here. Yeah, I, I suppose you could meditate with your eyes open. I've totally, um, got lost in thought and I end up staring at something and then I'll like come to, right, and realize, oh crap, I'm staring at the person. Now they think I'm a weirdo, but I was really just thinking And you know, like when you're like just thinking and your eyes just stay? I suppose you could do that in a meditative state. I close my eyes too, and like when I make my guided meditations, I tell people to close their eyes because it just takes away half the distractions, right?

Like totally, like because, you know, everyone's looking in the mirror and it, it naturally throws you off, you know. And so Um, when you said that, I thought of like a tip. It says you can meditate on your lunch break in your car, but make sure you put some sunglasses on. They don't even know that you're meditating. They're like, what is that weirdo doing? Like, he's sleeping, or is he like— what is he doing?

Yeah, because you wouldn't move your head, right? I guess if you could like get yourself going like this, maybe they'll think you're like jamming to music. I don't know. But I think, like you said, the point maybe more so is to get in a place where you're just comfortable being you. And if you want to freaking meditate at your lunch break, you just get them hands out and you do it because that's who you are and what you want to do, right? That's the end goal, not like, I'm gonna put a bag on my head and just don't look at me, or Yeah, no, you want to get to— if you have to start there, fine, do what you got to do, but make the end goal, make that, you know, push yourself to you get— like, it sounds like that's what you did, right?

No, I love how you put that. Yeah, to be you and to, to, yeah, to focus on you, focus on what is, is going on with you, you know, it's So simple. Yeah, it's amazing.

That just made me think of, um, this memory I have from when I lived in Portland, Oregon, and I was at the train stop waiting for the train that goes around the city, and there was a girl across, um, trying to get on a train going the opposite way, but she had her headphones on, and I mean, she was dancing, and she just looked like in a bliss state, you know. She didn't give a fuck. She didn't care that people were watching, and she was just in it, right? Like, just going at it. And I've done that in my car, but we're talking standing on the street in a group of strangers waiting for this train to, you know, commuters and everything. And I'm sure most— I was like, everybody's probably looking at her like she's crazy. But to me, I'm like, to be that free, mad respect, right? Mad respect. I don't, I don't know what she was like. Maybe she was crazy, but to me she didn't look crazy. She just looked like she didn't care, right? Like, I'm enjoying this music, it makes me want to dance, so I'm going to express myself. And it was a beautiful moment for me to be like, that should be everybody's goal, right? To just be in the moment and be who they are, even if it's, you know, not conforming to standing there looking at your phone, waiting for a train.

Giving your power away to like, oh, what are they going to think about me?

Yeah, well, I mean, there's— I get that fear. Obviously, I haven't danced at a train stop. No, I'm still conforming to social things like that. But when it comes to meditation, talking about my experiences and stuff is how— just one of the ways I'm trying to be free and not care, right? Because a lot of people can say their own opinion about what I see or experience. I think this goes for anybody who meditates. And it's just like, but were they there? No. Did they experience it? No. Did you? Yes. Is it meaningful to you? Yes. And that's, that should be all that matters, right?

Yeah, because like literally you're not disturbing anybody. You might get a few weird looks or whatever, but like, dude, like that's what I'm like. Sometimes I think I'm at the park and I know the people— I know there'll be people walking by, but, um, yeah, like I don't, I don't care if they think I'm praying to Allah or whatever, or Like, who cares, you know? Like, yeah, I think most people— no one's paying attention to nobody, especially with phones now, dude. Everyone is glued into their own shit. They could care less about what you're doing, like, in reality, right?

That's so true. They are all on their phones. I just remembered something else. I've done group meditations in public where we're all closing our eyes and we're in a circle. And then it really, since you're not alone in doing it, and it's pretty obvious what the group is doing, it doesn't— it takes away all of those, like, at least for me, it took away all those insecurities that I would, I might have had, which I did meditate alone in that park. But being in that group definitely helped, which I know with the rules in various countries right now, you can't just get a group in a park close together. But I want to ask you this. How can you have— have you had any experiences meditating that were pretty cool, or that had an impact on you, or you're like, whoa, what just happened?

Yeah, like when I really think about it, you know, and sitting here sharing with you, Joy, like it really has benefited me a lot because there's some times where I have to tell myself to breathe lately. And yeah, I just love the— how you can access this inner, you know, peace or find solace by just closing your eyes, you know, and just being present with yourself. And it has led me to be able to not be afraid to like like to pray. It's helped me really pray and learn to become comfortable talking, um, to know that— let them know that I have free will, but I want to get in contact. I want to have intentions of communicating with them, but I know I need to raise my vibration. So it does— it has led me to to other things. Yeah, communication with higher, higher beings also. Yeah, I haven't had any luck, or— but I definitely know I've gotten downloads. Um, I don't know if it was because of meditation, but I'm still working on, um, on that to like have better communication or Yeah, well, to me, meditation is a beautiful tool that does help if you do it, you know, consistently, which sounds like you have.

It, it does raise your vibration. Like, um, I, like today, for example, actually, I did a good job today, but most Mondays, I, my husband and I go out and get our groceries, and we have a little cart that you usually see old ladies with in America because we don't have a car and we have to walk and carry it all, right? And it is extremely frustrating. Neither of us likes to do it, and sometimes we don't bring enough bags, and it just makes me in this low vibe where I'm just like, oh, I just want to be done, and who needs to eat, and why do we have to carry it, and why didn't we order it? And then I'll come home and I'll, I'll undo it all and I'll be like, I need to meditate. I have to get rid of this energy. It is not fun. I'm a grouch. I'm annoying myself at this point. And so I will meditate, and I don't have to like see my guides. I don't have to like meet my star family. That's not what that's for. For me, it's just to close my eyes, like you said, be in that space where it's just me and my energy And it takes a bit of time, but without even thinking, obviously you want to set that intention, but it just fades. And then I bring in like the vibes I want, right? Well, I want to feel happy. Okay. And I'll usually, by that point, I'll envision it as a light that just gets bigger and brighter. And it's by the end, I'm like, I feel like a different person. And that was just 15 minutes. I was like, what? But that grouchy Joy's gone, and I didn't do anything besides— that kind of brings in self-care, right? Because I took the time to do it, and it's— I knew it's what I needed to change that energy. But just in general, high vibing, I think the downloads are important because, because we're constantly being asked to address things in our life, right? Um, like, you need to be more vulnerable, you need to give this up, you need to do this or that. And it's with a loving energy, because once we work on it, our vibe does go higher. And, and there's— it doesn't end, but as you keep working, I mean, it's— you just go higher and higher, and your perspective changes, and it just becomes more aligned and flows. Flowing.

Oh, I totally resonate with that because I, I can tell sometimes when I'm on my phone too much, or I just need— yeah, I need to just like not do anything at all. Just, I just need to be. And this, it's so special, like, and it's so comforting that you, you have that available to you at any time, anywhere.

Well, it hasn't always been the case. Like, I've obviously had to follow this practice to even get where most of the time if I need a break, I can take it, right? But I've had jobs where I didn't have that. So I had to work around like my 9 to 5. And usually it was more in the evening because I was drained. From using my mental energy all day or my physical. I've done physical labor and mental labor, but something about me is drained. I'm usually hungry and grouchy, right? Like, and that's when all the traffic is, or like I took the train where all the people are on the train and then you're all cramped and somebody stinks and you're like, ugh. It's raining and now you're all wet. And it's like, yes, these are, these are unhappy things. They're annoying, right? But, but still would have to do that once I got home. Or I can know what wise me now is like, I could have done that on the train if I, if I wanted to, like, just like you and your sauna where, yeah, I might be between some people, I might need to hold on to my belongings, you know, a little more tightly. But you can still close your eyes and just, maybe if you have headphones, it might help, or I don't know, sometimes you can cancel out or just not listen to, you know, make everything background noise and just, yeah, I mean, obviously, if you don't feel safe, don't close close your eyes.

But when you were describing that, it was like I just had an epiphany because, yeah, our mind, it loves to like just, you know, comment on every single thing, have dialogue about everything, and it's just like a monkey. And, and, uh, to be able to just observe it and to accept be in acceptance of everything and just let it be, you know, just— yeah, it's truly like— and I've gotten to the point where I've slowed my breath down so far, even in the sauna. I've— I'm like, wow, I was so like surprised by myself, like how much I was able to slow my mind down. To the point where I slowed my breathing down and was able to stay in there longer than I expected. I was like, whoa, breathing is it.

Like, uh, Infinite Waters, Ralph Smart, he was like, oh yeah, slow motion this side.

And it's like, oh, like, you're— our mind is so powerful, but our consciousness is even more Because it's behind, you know, it's the observer behind our emotions, thoughts, behind the body. Exactly. It literally tells the mind what to do. It just depends on the command, right?

Yeah, yeah. Then, and that's where the whole high vibe thing is. Like, you could almost say it's programming. Like, you're shown Like, oh, you— do you still need this programming where you, you know, you, you get frustrated going to get the groceries? Or can you release it and just, you know, it takes the time it takes, right? It will get done when it gets done. And be more in that energy. Could you just try it, Joy, see what happens? And like, today I did it, and I was like, you know what, I don't have anything going on until 3 o'clock. I know it's not going to take that long, right? Like, I can relax and just pay attention to what I need to buy and, you know, enjoy the day. And it totally— but I was shown that in meditation, like, do you want to raise to a higher vibe? You want to stay here where you're grouchy and, you know, causing a scene or something? No, I don't. And you have to be open to that and be the observer. That's where meditation helps you tap into that observer mode so you can see, oh, there is another energy I can be in doing the exact same thing. It's totally my choice. Okay, well, now it's on me. I have to take responsibility for this, right? Like, if I'm grouchy, I am choosing to be grouchy. Because now I know I have a completely other option where it's more in the flow, where I take my time, I don't rush myself, and I make space for this. I know I need to eat food, right? I make space for buying the food. And that's just— yeah, it's growing and learning. But I love that you brought up that observer, because to me, when you get in that observer mode and you can get in that place, it's very easy to see that's you choosing it and, you know, like direct the car where to go, so to speak. Like, oh, I was just in this energy, I want to keep going that way.

Yeah, again, and also just like observing, like, hey, these are not the thoughts that I want to have. Like, um, it was a picture of Keanu Reeves where he said positive people— doesn't mean positive people don't have negative thoughts, it's just they don't let them grow. And so yeah, that meditation has really helped me like catch myself like, oh yeah, no, I don't want to run this pattern anymore.

That's awesome, Michael. Thank you so much for, for sharing your, your views and your story with me. Where can people find you if they want to follow you, follow you online?

Here, I'll write my name down here. I don't know if you can see it. All right, uh, Michael. I have a YouTube. That's my name, Michael Van Mahavong. There you go.

I'm gonna put it down below too. And that's your YouTube channel, right? Just search that and I'll find you. Yeah, and I'll have the link. That's awesome, awesome. Thank you so much, Michael, for joining me today.

Oh, thank you. It's such a— I just have— I will say, I almost said it's such a joy.

You know, you're not the first person to say that. It's very— I love hearing it. Yeah.

Yeah. Thank you, Joy. It's been such a joy.

Thank you, Michael.