Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anne Sussman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Anne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I was working for an interior designer and it was not a healthy environment. At the same time many stressors in my personal life were coming to a head. I ws looking desperately for some relief from childhood abuse memories that were constantly flooding me and therapy helped with my panic attacks but I was left with pervasive anxiety. I begin to mediate. The more I mediated the quieter my mind chatter became. Often while I sat in practice I heard the small voice beckoning “Quit your job, become a meditation teacher” I heard it for a number of months. In February of 2015 my father, whom I had been estranged from because we had a difficult relationship, he was abusive. passed away. I unexpectedly received a check. I took it as a sign! I finally I heeded the call. I quit my job and went back to school at 56 years old. I knew I wanted to share with others the practice that had changed my life so profoundly.

Anne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started meditating when I turned 50 because my stress had become unmanageable, and nothing else seemed to be working. It’s been almost 15 years since, and I’ve used my practice to entirely transform my life and I’ve inspired thousands to explore the benefits of meditation.

In 2009, I went to a meditation and chanting class near my hometown of Maplewood, NJ, and I loved it so much that it became my sacred hour of the week. I went religiously during my lunch break at a job that was not bringing me joy.

Each week of the class, my teacher would tell us, “It’s great that you’re here; it would be better if you were meditating for just 10 minutes every day.” I heard her (for a year!), but I didn’t do anything about it…until I noticed that Wednesdays were my favorite day of every week. So I started to meditate every day at home, and once I did, the trajectory of my life took off.

I started to sleep through the night; I was far less anxious; and then I started to hear that small voice in my heart that said, “quit your job, because you’re miserable,” louder than I heard the chatter in my mind that said “what are you crazy? You can’t quit your job!” The more I meditated, the clearer it became.

I went back to school* (after 30 years!) to become a certified meditation instructor, learning the trademarked method of SEED – Simple Easy Every Day meditation. I then went on to become a Mindfulness@Work trainer, so I could share the tools that helped change my life profoundly.

That’s why I founded Mindfulness Meeting Place: to lead mindfulness training for individuals and organizations motivated to find a better way of being.

When I teach, I often tell my students, this is not about me at all! I’m not going to make you feel better. You’re going to make you feel better, by doing the work of committing to a practice. I am honored to teach people how, and guide and support them in going deeper each step of the way. I founded “Mindfulness Meeting Place” a virtual studio that meets students wherever they are to take them wherever they are meant to go next with a calm mind, focused attention and greater well-being.
I offer presentations to organizations of all sizes on the topics of stress and mindfulness as its antidote, I teach “Ageless Living” combating the declinist paradigm of aging and how daily practices help to shift it, Meditation 101, and much more. I offer instruction to individuals, small groups, and organizations as well as leading retreats. Since becoming a meditation instructor over 1000 people have learned the simple tools to transform their lives.
I am privileged to be the resident meditation instructor at Campowerment, a custom retreat company that offers women’s and coed corporate retreats.
I wrote “The Bliss Buddy Project-How Sharing Gratitude Increases Joy”, a book about a shared gratitude practice I created. I received my certification in 2015 as a McLean Meditation Institute Meditation & Mindfulness instructor, as well as a second certification as an MMI Mindfulness@Work trainer for businesses. In 2020 I was certified at Bhakti Barn Yoga Studio as a 200 hr Yoga RTT. This summer I will graduate as a Spiritual Companion from an apprenticeship program from the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction. My desire is to be a spiritual midwife to help others birth their own journey to the Divine.

I am not a guru or spiritual healer, just a person like you, who suffered from crippling anxiety and found the tools needed to change my life. I believe my strength as a teacher is my authenticity. I teach from the heart! My mission is to make the world more peaceful, one person at a time by teaching others the skills needed to create a fluency in mindfulness, to empower them to alleviate stress and overwhelm, increase focus and attention and create greater overall wellbeing. I have seen first-hand how mindfulness can change the way you live. Passionate about supporting others in need, 10% of all profits are donated to 3 non profits; The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, which is a local food pantry. In addition I am a sustaining donor of the nonprofit “Buy From a Black Woman” supporting Black women entrepreneurs and “ConBody” a foundation that helps those formerly incarcerated by training them and finding viable work/housing options.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

There a many meditation teachers out there. We can all learn from varied schools of knowledge but the basic principles are the same. I think what leads to success is knowing who you are, the strengths of your style. You will not be for everyone, there is no way to be.I have found that the right people will find me if I am true to myself. I think that success is defined in many ways. When your path is your passion it is easy to feel you are succeeding. I may not be famous or make the most money, yet the reward of changing peoples lives for the better is extremely fulfilling and it keeps me focused on my path even when business gets slow.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I have done many different careers in my life. I began as an estheticienne/make up artist. After 10 years I became an early childhood educator. For 20 years, I taught parents of toddlers parenting skills. I taught parents, teachers and students conflict resolution skills in our public school during that time as well. When my youngest went off to college I began working for the interior designer. it was at that time that I began to meditate.
At each stage of my life, I believe the career I was undertaking suited me. I was a born educator and I love being on the teacher path. When I learned meditation it was the perfect fit. I think that most of my life my vocations found me. At each stage and age what I was doing felt right. However, the shift in my life came once I learned how to meditate. I had the knowingness that I was aligned with my purpose and that I was meant to do this for the rest of my life. At 65 many are thinking about retirement. I will never retire and never stop teaching these skills and techniques. I love my work and am grateful it found me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mindfulnessmeetingplace.com
• Instagram: mindfulness meeting place
• Facebook: Mindfulness Meeting Place

Image Credits

Carley Storm Branding
Human Flower Productions