Written by Celeste Young | 2026 Hollyhock Presenter
When we practice mindfulness, it helps us to recognize how inevitable change is. The practice of steadying our attention to meet experience as it’s unfolding, moment by moment, illuminates the ever-changing nature of life and the mystery of consciousness. One thought disappears into the next, the breath arises and passes away, sounds we’re hearing come and go, the sensation we found so unpleasant one moment is gone the next, and so on.
Within the larger mystery of the unfolding of a human life, change is also happening all the time. We are so often going through big and small changes—whether we’re ending a relationship or beginning a new career, grappling with loss, or curious about exploring a facet of ourselves we don’t know yet and struggling to stay in touch with that. Sometimes we know that something in our lives needs to shift, and we may not know what it is, or we’re going through an inner change.
We may have had a profound experience and we’re wondering how to integrate that into our life. It’s natural that change can bring up uncertainty, fear, doubt, excitement, and confusion. One of the biggest questions I hear most often from students with a dedicated meditation practice is, “How do I integrate what I’ve learned on the cushion into the life I’m actually living?” This life balance and change and transition work is one of the most practical answers I have found to that question.
For over 10 years now, I’ve been studying and training with Phillip Moffitt in the nature of change and adult stages of development, as well as how we can find balance within our often chaotic lives, through grounding in our deepest values. What I’ve found is that life balance work helps me to be intentional and mindful in recognizing my own choices and changes that are being called for or are already happening within the unique unfolding of my life. So often what we’re looking for is really about how we can relate more skillfully to the uncertainty of this life as it is, and find more meaning in living wholeheartedly. After years of working with clients one-to-one and supporting groups in this work, I’ve found it to be one of the most effective and meaningful ways to bring mindfulness into our lives in extremely practical and pragmatic ways, whatever stage of life we’re in, and whatever our personal challenges and opportunities may be.
If you’re interested in learning more, I invite you to join me for a very unique and special retreat where we’ll be exploring this together in a supportive community and helping you to get clear on how to consciously meet your life changes and move towards greater well-being.
Join us at Hollyhock this Spring for Celeste Young’s Program “Opening to Inner & Outer Change: A Life Balance Retreat” Program Dates: May 24 – 27, 2026 Click here to Register!
