Why Meditation and Religion Are Perfect Partners with Alberto Chagolla & Fernando Santillan
If you were to Google images of meditation right now, what would you see? Chances are you’ll see many people of color; for much of the world, the face of meditation is brown.
During my recent 10-day Vipassana retreat, I met Alberto Chagolla and Fernando Santillan and bonded over meditation. We also bonded over our shared experience as people of color and sons of religious families—I, a Southern Baptist-raised African-American, and they, Mexican-Americans from Catholic families.
Lots of people in our communities in the U.S. don’t often get to hear about an experience like Vipassana from the perspective of one of their own. So today’s show is an opportunity for other meditators of color, as well as the three of us, to unpack more of how this journey has shaped our lives.
In this episode of the Words of Love podcast, you’ll learn how Vipassana and meditation have impacted Alberto and Fernando and how they approach the subject of this spiritual practice with their religious families. You’ll also be surprised at how meditation shows up in subtle ways throughout the Bible!
5:36 - Alberto and Fernando introduce themselves and talk about their meditation journeys as members of Catholic families
16:47 - How Vipassana and meditation practice has impacted their life experience thus far
26:35 - Making meditation a continuous practice instead of a dogmatic ritual and the co-existence of prayer and meditation
35:19 - How Alberto’s interest in meditation has impacted conversations with his family
45:58 - How Vipassana has made Fernando a better Christian and furthered his understanding of some parts of the Bible
57:44 - Is there anything to the stereotype of West Coasters being more into spiritual practices like meditation?
1:03:03 - Advice if you see yourself in Alberto’s or Fernando’s story and want to go on your own meditation journey
Connect with Alberto Chagolla
A Mexican-American, Alberto C. was born into a immigrant family and raised in the city of Santa Cruz CA.
Connect with Fernando Santillan
Fernando Santillan is a Mexican-born father of two boys and local government administrator in California. He is passionate about improving the quality of life for as many people as possible through local government services and programs. In his free time, he enjoys running Spartan Races, playing, coaching and watching soccer, golf, hiking, and generally spending time with his kids.
Mentioned in Why Meditation and Religion Are Perfect Partners with Alberto Chagolla & Fernando Santillan
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
“The Power of Vipassana Meditation: Sitting In Silence for 10 Days”
“How My 10-Day Meditation Retreat Affected My Sobriety”
“Why Now Is the Greatest Time of All to Decide and Share Our Simple Gifts”
