ABOUT ME
Meditation and Finding Peace Within
My name is Nick Anicich and I am a meditation teacher, husband, and father living in Sacramento, California.
I think to help you understand the impact meditation has had on my life, I should tell you who I am when I'm not meditating regularly-- I can be sarcastic (bordering on rude), I can be overly critical, I can be impatient, I can be competitive, I can feel afraid to communicate my feelings, and in general, I would say I can become frustrated at myself for not being better, doing better, or accomplishing more.
But when I am meditating?
I'm courageous enough to communicate how I feel. I'm confident enough to listen to others without needing to validate myself. I'm more patient, loving, and kind. And I think in general, I'm less focused on myself and more focused on how I can show love to the people around me.
When I found meditation, it transformed me. From the first day until today, I've been amazed at its power to open my heart to the world, to give me energy, and to help me connect to that quiet, loving place within that guides so much of what we think, feel, and do.
I want to help you transform too.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) WHAT STYLE OF MEDITATION DO YOU TEACH?
Most often, I teach the five deep breath method of meditation, which is a version of guided meditation that works great for both beginning and experienced practitioners. I also teach with mindfulness, countdown method, and gratitude meditations.
2) HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING MEDITATION?
I've been teaching meditation since 2013, and I plan on doing it forever.
3) HOW DID YOU LEARN TO SHUT OFF YOUR MIND?
I didn't! Instead, I learned how to better return to an intention when my mind is going crazy. So instead of spiraling out of control, I can press pause, reconnect to my "why", and focus on things that matter-- like how I can love others and how I can let them love me.
4) DID YOU ALWAYS THINK YOU WOULD TEACH MEDITATION?
No way! I thought I was going to be a professional baseball player until I was like 20, and after that I thought I'd be a high school English teacher. But when I found meditation, I knew I had to share it!
5) HOW DID YOU START MEDITATING?
I took a yoga class in 2008 to help me recover from a baseball injury, and at the end of the class, we did a guided meditation that blew my mind. I felt so calm and refreshed afterwards-- I couldn't believe I just finished a workout. After that, I didn't meditate again until 2013, when I enrolled at St. Mary's College. That's where I established my daily meditation practice and started diving deeper into the science and practice of meditation and mindfulness.
6) HOW LONG DO YOU MEDITATE FOR?
I have two toddlers so it's not as much as I used to! Since it's tough to have a normal routine, I meditate for 15-20 minutes in the car when I park at my office in the morning, and I meditate in bed in order to fall asleep. That one can last anywhere between 15 seconds and 15 minutes.
7) ANY ADVICE FOR NEW MEDITATORS?
Yes! Let go of perfection. You will never be perfect, and you never have to be. Just try to stay focused on your intention, and don't worry if you are falling asleep or if your mind starts to wander. That happens to everybody. The real practice is finding and treasuring those moments of calm and overwhelming peace that come with meditation. And if you want help starting your practice, email me! You are not alone.