238: Thrive with George Peterson
Transcript coming soon…
238: Thrive with George Peterson
Episode 238: Show Notes
In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light sits down with George Peterson, a Vedic meditation teacher, author, and recovery advocate, to explore his inspiring journey from addiction to teaching meditation and finding purpose. George opens up about his personal struggles with drugs and alcohol, and how years of addiction nearly destroyed his life. He shares powerful stories of hitting rock bottom, including his arrest for multiple felony charges, and how he used meditation to transform his life completely.
Listeners will hear about the pivotal moments that led George to discover Vedic meditation, how it helped him overcome his addiction, and why it eventually became his calling. He explains his unique Medi technique, which makes meditation more accessible to those who struggle with busy minds and stress, helping them unlock a deeper sense of calm and clarity.
Light and George also dive into his transition from working at Trader Joe’s to becoming a full-time meditation teacher, a leap of faith that many will find relatable. They discuss how following your inner guidance, even when it seems uncertain, can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
Whether you’re interested in meditation, recovery, or simply looking for inspiration to follow your passion, this episode is packed with valuable insights. George’s story will leave listeners feeling motivated to overcome their own challenges and explore the power of meditation to create lasting change.
Key Points From This Episode:
Discovering the Power of Meditation: George explains how meditation became a pivotal part of his recovery.
Hitting Rock Bottom: George discusses his lowest points before finding sobriety.
Life at Trader Joe’s: George reflects on his time working at Trader Joe’s while battling addiction.
The MEDI Technique Explained: George introduces his Medi technique for effortless meditation.
Following Inner Guidance: George emphasizes the importance of trusting your inner voice.
From Addiction to Purpose: George shares how meditation helped him find his life’s mission.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome: George talks about battling self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
Overcoming Codependency: An argument with his wife led George to confront emotional triggers.
Becoming a Meditation Teacher: George discusses how he transitioned to teaching meditation full-time.
The Challenge of Leaving a Stable Job: George shares how he left Trader Joe’s to pursue his passion.
Building a New Life Through Sobriety: George explains how honesty and accountability transformed his life.
The Impact of Meditation on Everyday Life: George describes how meditation brought him peace during difficult times.
Quotes:
"For me, the way I explain it now is that picking up drugs and alcohol the first time was the closest thing to a spiritual awakening that actually wasn’t one for me. It made my life feel like it went from black and white to color." — George S. Peterson
“I had tried it my way and it didn’t work, and I knew I was probably going to die if I kept using." — George S. Peterson
"Meditation helped me get to more of a place of what I now call self-referral happiness, where I had this internal state of happiness that was independent of external circumstances." — George S. Peterson
"I teach people a more effortless approach through sitting comfortably and taking an effortless approach using the mantra in order to go beyond and experience more calm and more quiet." — George S. Peterson
"You can’t stop your thoughts, but you can learn to transcend them, go beyond them, and experience a more settled mind." — George S. Peterson
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
George’s Book: Thrive: How to Use Meditation to Overcome the Things That are Holding You Back