Finding Balance: My Journey with Meditation, Mindfulness, and Buddhist Jewelry
Living between two worlds—growing up in Zhejiang, China, and later moving to Los Angeles—I've always been caught between cultures, cities, and careers. My professional life often took me back and forth between the U.S. and Hangzhou, and for a long time, I struggled to find a sense of stability amidst the constant travel and work demands. Sleepless nights and overwhelming anxiety became the norm, as I felt pulled in every direction, unable to find a moment of stillness.
At one point, it felt like I was just moving through life on autopilot, juggling work, family, and an unrelenting schedule. That’s when I realized that something had to change. I needed a way to cope, to ground myself in the middle of all this chaos. I started to explore the practices I had heard about growing up—meditation, mindfulness, and aromatherapy—practices that, for centuries, had helped others find balance.
The Power of Stillness
At first, meditation didn’t come easily to me. I couldn’t sit still, and my mind would race the moment I tried. But slowly, through trial and error, I began to create rituals that helped me connect with the present moment. Lighting incense before meditation became a way to signal to my mind that it was time to relax and focus. The soothing aroma and watching the slow burn of incense helped calm my thoughts.
Through this journey of self-discovery, I came across something that became a personal anchor for me—the gawu box, a small piece of Buddhist jewelry traditionally worn by Tibetan Buddhists. I was immediately drawn to its significance and symbolism. The gawu box, often used to hold relics, mantras, or small Buddha statues, resonated with me as a way to carry a piece of spiritual protection and mindfulness wherever I went. It reminded me of how Western believers wear cross necklaces or how Buddha statues are enshrined in Chinese homes, offering daily reminders of faith and grounding.
Wearing the gawu box felt like more than just putting on a necklace; it was a way to stay connected to something deeper, even during the busiest days. Whenever I touched it, it would pull me back to the present moment, reminding me to breathe, reflect, and create stillness within myself. It wasn’t just about wearing something beautiful—it was about the personal meaning it carried.
How Buddhist Jewelry Became Part of My Practice
As I delved deeper into meditation, I began to realize that certain objects, like the gawu box or a Buddha necklace, could serve as powerful tools in my practice. When my mind would wander, the feel of the necklace against my skin was a subtle reminder to focus, to return to my breath. The connection between these objects and the spiritual energy they carried fascinated me. They weren’t just accessories—they were extensions of my practice, helping me stay grounded and centered.
Over time, these simple pieces of Buddhist jewelry became part of my daily life, not just during meditation but as I navigated the hustle and bustle of everyday tasks. They offered a sense of protection, much like how the gawu box is believed to protect its wearer. For me, it was a way to carry a piece of mindfulness wherever I went, and I found comfort in knowing that, no matter how chaotic things got, I had this reminder of stillness with me.
Bringing Balance into the Modern World
The more I embraced these spiritual tools, the more I wanted to share them with others who, like me, struggled with the pressures of urban life. I never set out to create a brand to sell products. What I wanted was to offer people a way to connect with themselves—just as I had learned to do through these practices. I hoped that through these small rituals and objects, others could find the same sense of peace and balance that I had found.
For me, it wasn’t just about creating a business; it was about creating a space where people could explore these traditions and incorporate them into their lives, no matter where they came from or what their personal challenges were. The Buddha necklace and gawu box, for example, offer more than aesthetic value. They serve as reminders to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves.
Why Buddhist Jewelry Matters to Me
In many ways, my personal journey with mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhist jewelry is still unfolding. I continue to learn and grow, and these practices have become the foundation of how I live my life. Wearing a gawu box or Buddha necklace is now second nature to me, and it’s become an essential part of how I navigate the stress and demands of daily life. These objects have become symbols of the peace I’ve found and reminders of the balance I strive to maintain every day.
For anyone on a similar journey—whether you’re looking to start meditating or just trying to find some calm in the middle of the chaos—my advice is simple: start small. Light some incense, hold a meaningful object close, and take just a few minutes each day to breathe and reflect. You’d be surprised at how powerful these small actions can be.
Finding inner peace isn’t something that happens overnight, and it’s not always easy, but it’s worth the effort. For me, the journey started with sleepless nights and endless anxiety, but it led me to something much deeper—a sense of calm that I now carry with me every day. And it’s a peace that anyone can find, with the right tools and practices to guide them.