in the naad
Taylor Stein
From early childhood, I had always felt a void, a longing for something greater than my reality. By the age of 25, I had already donned multiple professional hats, these experiences were pivotal in preparing me for the second act of my life.
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In the nineties, I emerged as a prominent nightclub owner and restaurateur in New York City. My work ethic and business acumen led to financial success and a lavish lifestyle. However, despite my external achievements, I felt an internal emptiness, a profound loneliness that persisted even in relationships. I was always on the brink of greatness but could never quite grasp it. I knew deep down that what I yearned for existed, but it remained intangible and elusive.
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As a celebrated party girl in a superficial society, I became the curator of a lifelong spiral. In 2008, after a humiliating fall from grace, I moved to Los Angeles. Angry, hurt, and living in a state of fight or flight, with elevated cortisol levels and a tendency toward depression, I made a pivotal decision to adopt a little boy. I believed that two lost souls could find solace in each other. Having always felt like an abandoned child, the desire to adopt was deeply rooted in me.
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However, just weeks before my son’s due date, the FBI informed me that I had been the victim of an international fraud. My son was a black-market baby, and my life was turned upside down once again. I found myself working undercover with the FBI to dismantle a human trafficking ring connected to my son’s adoption. The sting operation was successful, and I was hailed as a hero.
life continues...
But justice and happiness were fleeting. On my son Ren’s first birthday, he was diagnosed with SMA, a terminal illness with no cure at the time. I was plunged into the darkest depths of my already troubled mind. Paralyzed and unable to face life, death was not an option—I had a four-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son who needed me.
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As a seeker, I had always been fascinated by the inner workings of the mind. Yet, I spent much of my life in limbo, relying on antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines only to find that the pain and emptiness always returned. It wasn’t until Ren’s diagnosis that I realized I needed to heal myself to help him. This marked the true beginning of my transformation, though it would take time to fully recognize it.
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My son’s life has been marked by extraordinary triumphs, as has mine. It is a story of universal wisdom passed from ailing warrior son to mother. Today, as a dedicated Kundalini Yoga (teacher) and meditation practitioner, I possess a profound sense of self and a deep connectedness to all things. I am grateful for every stumbling block on my path, viewing each one as an opportunity for growth.
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The gift of transformation has profoundly impacted my life, altering its course and purpose. Like many who have experienced mystical and heart-centered transformations, I feel compelled to share these gifts with the world, especially with those who need them most.
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In closing, mantra, breathwork, yoga, and meditation are processes that reconnect you with your true self—a place many have yet to discover. I hope to be a gateway for anyone who feels called to their spiritual path but doesn’t know how to get there of which tools to use along the way. It would be my honor to help guide you.