I have personally benefited from the wonderful meditation training at Aware Meditation. My doctor recommended I meditate to relieve unrelenting stress, anxiety, and anger ... and it worked (almost immediately). Trainer is always available for support and follow up questions, and regular free group meditations help keep me on track. I contributed to the eBook and also attended the Rise Up comedy event supporting mental health awareness. The work this non-profit does should not be underestimated. To be able to bring these life-changing tools to underrepresented groups who need it most can quite literally transform the planet. Organization is currently on a skeleton budget and needs donations to not only sustain but to take it to the next level. The meditation techniques taught have proven ability to quiet an addict's busy mind and bring peace and productivity into the lives of the long suffering. Contributions will allow more lives to be reached and impacted. As a practitioner and member of the Aware Meditation family for many years now, I can honestly say no amount of money can be placed on the life-enriching, soul-level peace that has entered my heart. The founder herself has physical restrictions and the non profit is 100% for underrepresented groups - women, BIPoC or with disabilities. Please support!
I have greatly enjoyed my experiences at your events. Compassionate self awareness through comedy is a joyful kind of brilliance. I look forward to more.
Absolutely incredible support and tools!
Aware Meditation is a true gem in the world of wellness. As a nonprofit, their dedication to helping people manage stress is both inspiring and impactful. They offer quick, effective techniques that are easy to access and make a real difference—no matter where you are in the world. Their global outreach and genuine care for people's mental wellbeing is something we need more of. Thank you, Aware Meditation, for the support you provide!
Had a blast on the last Rise Up Comedy I watch online from Canada. I highly recommend attending Rise Up Comedy in person or virtually and their host Paula Jane Newman does an amazing job with arraigning amazing comedians and a lot of laugh's and fun and good entertainment.
Thumbs up and highly recommend Rise Up Comedy with a big thumbs up!
Sincerely, Chris Pomay, host of Live With CDP Sports & Entertainment Talk Show and founder of CDP Media Productions
I met with Paula, and she was absolutely amazing to work with! Her energy, passion, and the incredible work she does is truly inspiring.
What an original, delightful and much needed organization! Paula beautifully marries her years of meditation and comedy to assist and enlighten those who are willing to jump in. I adore Paula and her huge heart! Recently, I had the great luck to attend one of her online comedy events and had a fantastic time!!
Paula is great using comedy as a tool to help people connect with their own life, identity, and change the perspective of seeing challenges with humor.
Paula taught a meditation course at my workplace and she was really great to work with. She responds timely, took great care with each student, and brings some levity to learning to meditation. If you want to learn to meditate, I highly recommend Aware Meditation!
Such a great time at the aware meditation event! I walked away feeling uplifted and positive about ways to reduce my stress. I will definitely be attending again!
I’m honored to be a board member to such an incredibly charitable, innovative organization. Beyond the work that Aware Meditation does to educate individuals on self care, they’ve taken their altruistic work a step further. Led by visionary Paula Newman, Aware Meditation not only teaches individuals the process of meditation, but also provides a safe, supportive environment to explore self discoveries made as a result of journeying through the quiet mind, encouraging its students to find the humor behind these personal revelations, and provides them a venue to express their newfound selves through stand up. The end result is a full on production of an evening of stand up confessions full of honesty and humor for friends and family to enjoy. And the gift in return provides individuals newfound personal freedom and self acceptance.
I learned meditation from Paula over 6 years ago and I cannot stress how incredibly life changing this practice has been. I did not think it was possible to meditate for someone like me. I have problems with focusing and settling my thoughts, but with this meditation practice I can focus, be present and get much needed rest for these gears that are always spinning! Right before covid hit in 2020, I upgraded my meditation practice with Paula. It was perfect timing and helped deal tremendously with the uncertainty of the global pandemic we would be facing. My children also learned to meditate and were able to participate in the comedy fun raiser a few years ago! When I met my fiancé in 2018, I encouraged him to learn and we’ve been meditating together ever since I have reffered many of my closest friends to Aware Meditation because I know how beneficial this practice has been for me.
Paula goes above and beyond to give so much, so deeply from her heart, to help others heal, live, laugh, and enjoy life!! She is truly amazing and she does incredible work through this nonprofit!!
I have been working with this organization since 2009 and I appreciate the work they have been doing with the community.
As a stand up comedian myself, the world is constantly asking us to tell our deepest secrets and embarrassing stories. This is usually great for the audience, but often times takes a toll on the comic. Aware Meditation is not your typical meditation program. It blends together mental health practices, like mediation, with opportunities to share your story and be heard, through stand up comedy. I personally love that there is something out there that is helping stand ups healthily turn their experiences into material. Because at the end of the day, you should be able to enjoy your own story too.
Over the last 4 years I have volunteered as a photographer, videographer and social media support for this amazing nonprofit. I learned the meditation technique over18 years ago and my life improved significantly. It helped me with my academic studies, physical fatigue and stress. The comedy healing programs are so much fun! Laughing with professional performers and the comedy class graduates is amazing. The founder Paula is a visionary combining mental health and comedy for healing. A little ahead of their time but word of mouth is catching up and I was able to be part of the inaugural organization that brought this to the world.
This has been a joy to volunteer and support this nonprofit. I came on board to help support this start up during COVID-19 and have enjoyed in their Comedy for healing program. Now producing shows that are family friendly and even on Zoom. There were professional comedians and students trying comedy for the first time ! Very inspirational
Paula in particular and Aware Meditation made it possible for me to learn Meditation which has been fundamentally life changing and revolutionary for me. Ever since I have learned four years ago it has been an uphill trajectory. Even the low spots aren't quite as low as they used to be. I feel like a different person, though more myself than I ever have. I could literally go on and on, but a heartfelt thank you is where I leave it. Thank you so much for what you do.
This young nonprofit has grown over the last few years and I fully support the founder and all of its initiatives to reduce stress. I had learned the Aware Meditation gold standard practice years ago and it changed my life. I thought meditation was about calming the mind or joining a cult. This proved the opposite. I have thoughts all the time. As soon as I understood it was a letting go technique and that thoughts are part of meditation I let go and have had amazing meditations. I get such a deep feeling of warmth and comfort every time I do THIS meditation. I’ve tried so many types and all have left me in my head. Simply attempting to get something in the material world and goal setting. This meditation has taught me to be ENOUGH. That inside I feel whole.
The outreach programs to bring joy with comedy and mental health awareness are genius.
Highly recommend it.
I think Rise Up Comedy is truly one of the more magical not for profits because not only do they raise money and awareness but they bring the gift of laughter. Life can be very tough at times especially when we feel excluded (usually by our own doing because of our inner voice). But rise shows us how the connective energy between our shared experiences is the secret sauce to life.
We have collaborated with Aware Meditation over the last 3 years and are thrilled with the nonprofit. Comedy and Mental Health and Physical Health healing all in one performance. They have now begun to bring individuals from underrepresented groups through their beginners comedy healing course and we are blown away by the honesty and authenticity of the comedy sets. Only 4 sessions and people are overcoming some of their biggest fears, OCD challenges, anxiety and depression. We hope you will check out our collaborations and be inspired yourself.
Aware Meditation is a wonderful not for profit organisation, teaching Meditation to many people around the world. Paula is changing people's lives through Meditation and through her great work as a successful Comedian. I've had the pleasure of knowing Paula for many years as both a friend and colleague. I highly recommend supporting Aware Meditation with their Fundraising projects to bring Meditation into as many people's lives as possible. Paula your doing great work.
Great place. Great teacher. Change my life.
The process, the path and the way i was taught meditation at the center guide me to the next level I was looking for. I highly recommend the process and training.
Hal R.
AwareMeditation 09/26/2023
Thank you Hal. We hope to be in Arizona and support your network in the future.
I participated in many of Aware Meditation's events either their livestreaming in 2020, when I was looking for stress management and have enjoyed their YouTube channel Cosmic Chats and Rise Up Comedy in person event in Los Angeles. The organisation is open to all forms of stress reduction as long as it doesn't involve mind altering substances. I have found much calm simply by listening to the founder's voice and enjoy their POV of laughter as a form of healing. I was amazed at the level of talent of meditators. Recently I learned the meditation practice taught in person and it is very different to Mindfulness or Vipansana as they are concentration practices. This is a letting go one. I always thought it was about managing your stress and clearing your mind but this makes meditation so easy. This is something that should be brought to those who do not have financial means and who are not yet exposed to a letting go meditation.
AwareMeditation 09/26/2023
Thank you for sharing your story. We hope it will make a difference for others.
so I learned this particular form of meditation from paula as part of an international meditation outreach program in Australia. I have tried a few different meditation practices over the years, but this one I learnt from paula has been the best one, I have found alot more calm in my life, noticed big improvements in my sleep, alot less muscle tension and my anxiety levels have dropped significantly.
It would be good to see this meditation made available to more people, and I think alot of people need this now more than ever, as we live in a very stimulating and stressful age, with out much healthy ways of relaxing and letting go.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you Thomas. We hope to visit Australia again and reach more people with our programs.
I found Paula Newman and Aware Meditation Inc through Thom Knoles' contact people because I was frantically searching for a Vedic Meditation teacher in the Sacramento area to teach me how to meditate. I knew I needed to change my life, immediately because my llife as I knew it was not working and I was increasingly unhappy. I tried exercise, yoga, tapping, zen, buddhist, tibetan meditation, but none were able to reach my deeply stored, dangerous levels of stress and childhood trauma. Paula, sensing my distress somehow, amenably and selflessly made herself available locally and for that I am forever grateful. I really enjoyed my gorgeous initiation ceremony and learning the Vedic Meditation technique. Now, I am happily a Vedic Meditator. This ancient wisdom practice has removed and upended major blockages in my consciousness and subsequently all through my present life and probably my past and future life, rippling eternally, forward and backward...lol. Jai Guru Deva.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for sharing your experiences about your struggles and victories with meditation. We look forward to learning more as you continue.
I was lucky enough to get to perform at one of their benefit shows and it was such a warm and welcoming environment! Using comedy to help diminish the stigma of mental health is something that I think is so important. Seriously such a fun time, highly recommend it!
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
It was a delight to have you as part of the Rise Up Comedy Mental Health Awareness Program.
Aware Meditation is amazing! Found out about them through a comedy show. Had a blast.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
It was a delight to meet you via the Rise Up Comedy Program.
I co-produced an incredible fundraiser for Aware Meditation with Paula Newman, and it was a wonderful experience of growth and raising awareness for everyone involved! We were able to get donations from the community- from both businesses, attendees, friends and beyond to bring laughter and positivity into the world. It was a wonderful benefit and I personally received so many compliments about it. People told me how they felt so great and can’t wait to come back!
Asking for donations can be difficult and raising money with consciousness takes time and intention. Aware meditation needs help raising money to make an impact. One of Paula’s missions to help reduce stress in underrepresented groups lifts us all in the world as we work together for humanity. Raising our consciousness is an incredible mission, and It takes more than one or two people to lift the village. Financial help is important. I’m a big fan of Aware Meditation and hope this will help someone and even many pay it forward!
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for making this such a beautiful experience for all involved. It would not have become the successful event without you.
Aware meditation which was founded by Paula Newman provides a much needed service to underrepresented and marginalised groups within the community. Paula offers subsidised training in Vedic meditation which is a simple to learn but highly effective meditation practice that has a massive impact on reducing stress which is a major cause of disease.
The method she teaches is easy to learn and therefore highly effective when taught. I feel so fortunate to have learned this style of meditation 3 years ago and it has changed my life for the better in almost every way I can think of.
Paula's personal undertaking to become not only a teacher of this style of meditation but her philanthropic approach to how she teaches is such a wonderful thing and I know that there are thousands of people that have benefited from her teaching. The effect of this meditation when instructed and practiced correctly has so many benefits - from reducing the impact of stress and making one generally highly resilient/resistant to sickness and disease, easing symptoms of depression and other mental illness, improving confidence, being able to deal with issues surrounding drug and alcohol dependency and being able to cope more interactively with all stressful situations.
The improvements in life caused by learning this practice often have the effect of flowing onto many of those that surround the student, so improvements can be seen from both a community level as well as an individual one which is another reason why her work is so important particularly to these groups that might otherwise have difficulty undertaking this training.
I offered my services to Paula a couple of years ago when I felt I'd like to make a contribution to the community and to help her help other people that were disadvantaged or otherwise unable to afford the tuition costs of this practice. I helped Paula with a short film for her outreach program (making films is within my sphere of professional expertise).
The film describes the many health and wellbeing benefits of the practice and featured some testimonials from some of the many people who's lives Paula's work has directly impacted.
It's difficult to overstate the significance of the work Paula is doing in taking some of our most needy and offering them a tool to transform their lives and those around them. Paula does amazing work around the clock with her comedy fundraisers, her youtube channel for aware meditation which features regular guests from the wellbeing community and her students, victims of abuse who have turned their lives around, people that have suffered physical trauma and brain injury. The list is endless, as is Paula's willingness to help those in need.
I know Paula undertakes this work with a skeleton crew and shares the work she undertakes with those that have capacity to help. Paula desperately needs to secure funding to be able to continue this good work and I fully endorse her as a wonderful meditation teacher and forthright member of the community.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank your for this extensive and comprehensive review. We greatly appreciate your support and are fortunate to have you as part of our supportive team.
I have volunteered for Aware Meditation Inc. as I wanted to learn more about non medication based options for anxiety. The founder worked one on one with me and I can attest that she is as her website says, "The Real Deal." She is extremely focused and most definitely needs support with the outreach and administration. The ebook Vedic Meditation Stories blew me away with the varied and in depth experiences having learned the technique. This non profit has all under represented and marginalized people from BIPoC, disabled or female on their board and they truly embody the, "no stress", philosophy with all of their events. The concept of fusing meditation/wellness with comedy as a healing element and to reach out to more people is remarkable. I highly recommend you reach out to them and support all of their programs.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for support and we are thrilled that you have had healing results.
Aware meditation is an organization that I am proud to support and represent. Not only has Meditation had a great impact on my life because of Aware; the founder is amazing to work with- her attention to detail is incredible, and passion for the cause is unmistakable. I feel blessed to have participated in a fund raising gala, put on by aware. I felt recognized as an artist, and that all parties involved benefited in this event. Aware meditation is going to change a lot of lives, but needs all the support and funding they can get; due to the founders chronic pain from an injury- it’s going to take a team!
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you Lou. Delighted the meditation and our programs have made such a positive imprint on your life. We are blessed to have you support us!
This nonprofit was established in January 2020 as the pandemic spread over the globe. The practical self sufficient techniques given to individuals and groups are to help cope with stress. In 2021. It is 100% comprised of minorities either, women, BIPoC or those with disabilities.
YouTube Outreach spanned 14,454 viewers, 5,027 hours of wellness programming including workshops on; COVID-19 survivor, child grief, workplace burnout, Holiday Season Stress, Ayurveda, Brain Injury and Meditation, Can't Meditate, Laughter and Meditation connection, 7 hour wellness Marathon - Yoga, Goal Setting, Pilates, Meditation, addiction recovery and meditation.
In Person Outreach in Boyle Heights Los Angeles - Puente Learning Center with 2,100 communities.
Group Discounted Teachings in San Francisco, Los Angeles - 300 hours of in person instruction. Limits due to COVID-19 protocols. Laughter Fundraising Event collaboration online with Divas in Power for sex trafficking victims-over 8,000 reached via email.
The nonprofit does need support to become more effective with in person teachings and the outreach programs. Administrator assistant, the main volunteer has a reparative stress injury and support for the computer work would en a game changer.
Financial support for the running costs:
$2,400 for the website by Kajabi, $17.99 for Zoom per month, $9.99 YouTube per month and more. Rise Up Comedy element brings laughter and mental health awareness in a single event with laughter and fundraising at the same time.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for your steadfast and consistent dedication to this nonprofit.
I am on the board of directors for Aware Meditation Inc. and would like to write a review for them. I have been meditating for 42 years now and this meditation is the meditation which has changed my life the most. I highly recommend this meditation to anyone who is interested in meditation and spirituality. I voluntered for them for 4 years and it has been a great experience.
I would highly recommend Aware Meditation Inc to anyone looking for a great meditation experience.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for your support and we look forward to many more years of your service.
I first learned Vedic mediation from Aware Meditation 5 years ago and it has had a significant impact on my life. I've since attended other courses and fundraiser events offered by Aware Meditation, including the Rise Up Comedy Show. Not everyone has the financial means to learn Vedic meditation and I believe Aware Meditation's outreach program to bring meditation to underrepresented groups is invaluable, not only to the individuals learning but to society as a whole. We have all been going through a worldwide pandemic and I know that having this mediation practice has helped me deal with the stress of it all, especially being a member of a racially targeted group and being harrased myself. If you are looking for an organization to donate to, consider Aware Meditation so they can help others learn and experience the benefits of Vedic meditation.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for this account about your experiences. We are privileged to have your support.
We have worked with Aware Meditation Inc. for the last 2 years and have found them to have the utmost integrity. The operation is small but mighty and all that get involved have found they have been true to their statements - bringing joy and less stress as a non profit. Simply being around the founder and the work they are doing, we have had numerous reports of people feeling calm and brighter in their day.
Stress is the number one killer and it can be reduced with techniques that Aware Meditation is teaching and supporting this non profit.
They definitely need support. The founder has a physical disability and is not getting paid for the volunteer work. They require administrative support, event support and finding grants to allow them to reach more people. They are also requiring volunteers for outreach. If you are a community that is open to them bringing their teachings please reach out. This is authentic non airy fairy and practical techniques.
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank you for your review of the nonprofit. We look forward to your continued support.
Excellent show. Great performers and complimentary refreshments were served. A great way to spend the afternoon!
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023
Thank your for attending and coming out. We greatly appreciate you.
Comments ( 1 )
AwareMeditation 09/25/2023 Than you for your support of our programs and we look forward to helping more people globally.