Vipassana Meditation, Discipline & Inner Work with Andrew Abaria

In this episode of Life On Earth, Nathalie reconnects with Andrew Abaria—actor, musician, and longtime yoga practitioner—for a conversation on meditation, discipline, and inner work.

Together, they explore the depth of Vipassana meditation, the evolution of a yoga practice over time, and the shift from external performance to internal awareness.

Andrew shares his experience attending multiple Vipassana retreats and offers insight into the structure, intensity, and transformative potential of this practice.

This conversation is an invitation to slow down, observe, and cultivate equanimity—both on and off the mat.

Key Topics

• The evolution of a yoga practice over time
• From vinyasa flow to slower, more intentional movement
• The structure and discipline of Vipassana meditation retreats
• What to expect during a 10-day silent retreat
• Awareness of body sensations as a meditation practice
• Equanimity: learning to observe without reacting
• The connection between yoga and meditation
• Training the mind to respond rather than react in daily life
• Creativity, authenticity, and returning to the arts

Andrew's Quotes

“You fill your time with postures when you’re young. As you get older, you fill your postures with time.” 

“Vipassana is about observing sensations in the body and learning not to react.” 

“It’s not just meditation—it’s training for how you respond to life.” 

“You begin to notice cravings and aversions—and stop feeding them.” 

 

Highlights

• Andrew’s journey from musician to actor, and back to inner practice
• The distinction between modern meditation trends and traditional practices
• How physical practices like yoga and Lagree can support mental focus
• The role of discipline in both creative work and spiritual practice

Links

Andrew Abaria andrewabaria.com instagram.com/andrewabaria andrewabaria.com/music

Vipassana Meditation dhamma.org

Dhamma Vaddhana (Southern California) vaddhana.dhamma.org

 

If you enjoyed this conversation, please rate, review, and subscribe to Life on Earth Podcast. Share this episode with a friend and your yoga community.

This episode is brought to you by Shanti Yoga Training School - offering both online and hybrid yoga certification programs.

Let’s keep spreading light and consciousness on our beloved planet Earth!

Stay Connected 

@NathalieCroix

@ShantiYogaTrainingSchool

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Peace,

Nathalie Croix & Life On Earth Podcast Team