Are we addicted to busyness? A conversation with a meditation expert.

The Art of Stillness in a World That Won’t Sit Still

Diana Mirs never planned on becoming a meditation teacher. In fact, she spent years in motion — traveling across continents, chasing new experiences, and immersing herself in different cultures. Yet somewhere between the vibrant streets of India, the quiet mountains of remote retreats, and the buzzing energy of city life, she discovered something surprising: the deepest journeys don’t require a passport. They require a shift in consciousness.

In this episode of Spiritual Conversations, hosted by Philipp Kobald and produced by HolisticCircle, Diana unpacks the power of stillness, the myths surrounding meditation, and why the modern world desperately needs a reset. It’s a conversation that moves beyond the usual wellness jargon and into the raw, transformative nature of true presence.

Not Just Another Meditation Teacher

Diana’s path to teaching meditation wasn’t a straight road. It was more like a winding, occasionally chaotic adventure filled with unexpected detours. “I didn’t wake up one day and think, ‘I want to teach people how to breathe,’” she says with a laugh. Her journey was sparked by personal necessity — stress, burnout, and an unshakable feeling that life was happening too fast. Meditation wasn’t a trendy wellness hack for her; it was a survival tool.

What sets Diana apart is her refreshingly down-to-earth approach. She doesn’t promise instant enlightenment or pretend that meditation is a magical fix for life’s problems. “It’s not about escaping reality; it’s about learning how to be fully alive within it,” she explains.

Meditation: More Than Just Sitting Cross-Legged

If you think meditation is about sitting in silence and fighting off intrusive thoughts, Diana wants you to reconsider. “Meditation is not about having a blank mind — it’s about learning to witness your thoughts without letting them control you,” she clarifies.

She breaks down common misconceptions that keep people from giving it a real shot. You don’t need to be a monk. You don’t need hours of free time. And no, you don’t have to chant in Sanskrit (unless you want to). Diana emphasizes that meditation is adaptable — it can be woven into daily life, whether that means mindful breathing on your morning commute or taking a moment to pause before reacting to stress.

Why the Modern World Needs a Timeout

We live in an age of constant distraction. Phones buzz, notifications demand attention, and productivity is glorified as the ultimate measure of success. Diana sees this as a crisis — one that meditation can help solve. “We’re overstimulated but deeply disconnected,” she observes. “People are more exhausted than ever, not just physically but mentally and emotionally.”

She shares insights from neuroscience that back up her claims. Meditation, she explains, isn’t just a feel-good practice; it rewires the brain, reducing stress and increasing focus. “The irony is that slowing down actually helps us function better,” she says.

Philipp Kobald, ever the thoughtful host, pushes deeper, asking Diana about the moments that transformed her understanding of mindfulness. Her travels, she says, shaped her practice in ways she never expected.

Lessons from a Life on the Move

Diana’s travels have shaped her understanding of mindfulness in profound ways. In some cultures, slowness is a way of life. She recounts how spending time with communities that prioritize presence over productivity helped shift her perspective. “In the West, we rush through everything — even relaxation,” she points out. “Elsewhere, people know how to just be.”

She shares stories of unexpected teachers — a fisherman in Thailand who understood patience better than any guru, an elderly woman in Morocco who showed her the grace of daily rituals, a child in Nepal who found joy in a single moment of play. These experiences reinforced a truth she now teaches: mindfulness isn’t reserved for retreat centers or yoga studios. It’s in the way we drink our coffee, the way we listen, the way we breathe.

Philipp nods in agreement, reflecting on how our cultural obsession with busyness often masks a deeper longing for meaning. It’s a moment that lingers — one of many in this rich, unfiltered conversation.

The One Thing You Can Do Today

Diana knows that grand lifestyle overhauls rarely stick. Instead, she suggests starting with just one small shift: conscious breathing. “If you can take three deep breaths with full awareness every day, you’re already on the path,” she says. It’s deceptively simple, but incredibly powerful.

And for those who claim they don’t have time? “You have time to scroll. You have time to check emails. You have time for three breaths,” she counters.

Watch the Full Conversation

There’s something about hearing Diana speak that makes these concepts click in a way no article can fully capture. Her wisdom, humor, and deeply personal insights make this conversation one worth experiencing in full. Spiritual Conversations, produced by HolisticCircle and hosted by Philipp Kobald, offers a rare space for discussions that go beyond the surface and into what really matters. Watch the full episode on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel and explore a journey that might just change the way you see stillness.

Hashtags: #HolisticCircle #PhilippKobald #SpiritualConversations #MindfulnessMatters #MeditationTeacher #InnerPeace #SelfDiscovery #ConsciousLiving #SpiritualGrowth #FindYourCalm

Contact Information:
Website: HolisticCircle.org
Copyright 2025 HolisticCircle.org
Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticCircle
By Philipp Kobald, 2025