Why I Love What I Do . . . And Do What I Love
Jill Disser
Certified Meditation Facilitator and Coach
and Your Guide To Living Well
A Note To My Visitors
I have struggled with anxious thoughts throughout my life. From a young age, I was in therapy, but I still didn’t find lasting relief from my worries and fears. Then, in May 2019, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—a life-altering moment. Anxiety and fear became an overwhelming force in my life.
Let me explain how I discovered a way out of being controlled by anxiety. At the encouragement of a nurse navigator, I joined a meditation support group. This experience opened the door to mindfulness, which became a powerful tool in my healing and in managing the intense stress of my treatments.
Learning to train my mind to stay in the present moment and not be trapped in endless catastrophic thoughts helped calm my anxiety, improve my sleep, manage my pain, and bring a sense of balance and hope back into my life.
Inspired by my own transformation, I wanted to share the practices I learned that helped me heal emotionally, mentally, and physically.
This work is from my heart. I know the pain of anxiety, but I also know the way through - to be happier, more relaxed, and more optimistic about the future. Helping others find peace, just like I did, is what I’m meant to do.
If something in my story speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you.
You’re not alone—and when you’re ready, I’m here to listen, support, and guide you.
My Vision
My Vision is to create a world where no one feels alone and no one is ruled by the constant cycle of anxious thoughts, fears, or worries - where they can navigate life’s changes - where healing, peace, and clarity are within reach, even in life’s hardest moments.
My Mission
My Mission is to support others through anxiety, fear, and life’s uncertainties with compassionate, innovative, practical, and effective solutions. By quieting racing thoughts, reconnecting to the present moment, and rediscovering inner calm, they will no longer have to walk their path alone.
TESTIMONIALS
Kind Words From The Hearts Of Others
"This group sets the tone for the whole day"
"I'm so glad I attended. This group is utterly amazing--they just swirl in light and love. I can see why the person who recommended me said it sets the tone for the whole day. Jill’s meditation has been a wonderful experience. With her gentle facilitation, I have grown to depend on a positive start to my day, loosening up nighttime stiffness, and feeling welcome in a loving community. My range of motion has improved, along with my mood. It’s comforting to wake up each morning knowing that a kind and welcoming group is waiting with genuine smiles to greet me."
- Tam
"I look forward to our time together every day."
"I appreciate being in your meditation group. I enjoy your meditations and the group of women we have. I had never tried meditation before, so I was a little leery. I didn’t know what to expect, but it has surpassed my expectations. It has helped me with my mental well-being. I look forward to our time together every day. Thank you so much."
- Martha
"I left with a sense of calm and a path ahead."
"Jill has the voice of Mother Earth and guided me straight into myself and led me to open up to my feelings. I have attended her meditations with so much on my mind and left with a sense of calm and a path ahead. Thank you Jill:)))"
- Heather, Certified Trainer & Licensed Life Coach
"My range of motion has improved, along with my mood."
“Jill's meditation has been a wonderful experience. With her gentle facilitation, I have grown to depend on a positive start to my day, to loosening up nighttime stiffness, and to feeling welcome in a loving community. My range of motion has improved, along with my mood. It’s comforting to wake up each morning knowing that a kind and welcoming group is waiting with genuine smiles to greet me.”
- Jack
Meditation Support Groups - The Benefits
Meditation Support Groups - The Benefits
I’ve been told so many times that #meditation can’t or shouldn’t be done in or with a group. That it is such a personal, private time; meditation and others don’t mix.
Nope! Not true!
There is a deep connection with others in relationship to ourselves. Closing your eyes and being guided within amongst others can actually help you go deeper.
#Support groups in a safe environment, bring individuals together who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. Support groups provide an opportunity for individuals to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about diseases or treatments or stressful situations. These meetings provide a sense of intimacy, #connection and #empathy.
Other benefits are:
Feeling less lonely, #isolated, #judged. Research has shown that having a strong support system has many positive benefits, such as better #well-being, better coping skills, and a #healthier life.
Reducing #stress, #depression, #anxiety. Studies have also shown that social support can reduce depression and anxiety. A strong support system can often help reduce stress.
Talking openly and honestly about your feelings. Talking/listening with like-minded people makes a huge impact on you and others.
Improving skills to cope with challenges. You can ask others for help. You can find it easier taking responsibility for your situation and engaging in problem solving together. Helping others and listening, you can gain a sense of empowerment and control.
Guided meditation with groups creates an experience that encourages new insight, healing, and healthy self-examination. Meditation adds a deeply personal and meaningful experience to each person.
Because life takes us in so many directions, so often we don’t make time for ourselves. By finding a meditation group we give ourselves an excuse or reason to develop a consistent practice.
Unlock the Collective Power of Serenity: Debunking the Solo Meditation Myth!
Busting the Myth: You may have heard that meditation is a solitary engagement not to be shared. Well, it's time to break that theory wide open! I am living proof. I actually was one of "those people" who thought that until I was proven very wrong. While going through my cancer treatments, I joined an online meditation group. After the meditation, the facilitator told us to open our eyes. To my amazement, there were others in the meeting. I had gone so deep into the meditation, that I was unaware of the others. The others were a support for me even though I was not consciously aware of them. Meditation is not always a solo journey; it can be shared with others. Imagine the power of a collective tranquility.
Dive Deeper Together: Closing your eyes and drifting into serenity, surrounded by like-minded people, going through similar situations as you. It's in this shared silence that you can go to depths of inner peace.
Circle of Support: In the safe space of support groups, bonds are formed through shared struggles and successes. Here, we share our stories, soothe, and strengthen, bringing to life a different solutions, different problems with empathy, connection, and understanding.
The Ripple Effect of Benefits: It is natural to feel alone . . to feel lonely and judge ourselves. In this group environment, you can feel judgment drift away, replaced by the exciting flow of community and care. Research confirms the effects of belonging – from enhanced well-being to fear and courage against life's anxiety forces.
Speak, Listen, Rebuild: Among the like-minded, when you speak, when you share, you become a catalyst for change – both for you and the others in the group.
Face Challenges Together: Ask for advice, share solutions. You are with empathetic, understanding individuals who have or are navigating similar twists and turns, discovering empowerment and trying to do the best they can along their journey.
A Shared Safe Space: Group-guided meditation is not just an activity; it's a place for insight, healing, and self-analysis. Each meditation becomes a personal journey, unique and meaningful. Sometimes incredibly painful, enlightening, joyful, or all of the above.
Carve Out Time for You: It's time. You have neglected yourself long enough. By stepping into a meditation group, you carve a space in time, a daily practice of self-discovery and consistency.
Join the collective embrace of meditation and transform "me-time" into "we-time," where the power of many strengthens the spirit of one. Join a group meditation journey – a shared path to inner peace and empowerment. Meditation To Live Well groups
You've Got Questions. I've Got Answers.
How can mindfulness help reduce anxiety when I feel it coming on?
When anxiety starts to grow, mindfulness gives you a way to pause and get yourself back on track before it takes over. Even just a few mindful breaths can disrupt the cycle of racing thoughts and calm your nervous system. With practice, you’ll learn to recognize the early signs of anxiety and respond with tools that bring you back to the present moment - so you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. The good news is, your breath is always with you. Taking even one slow, conscious breath may interrupt the spiral. Sometimes this is enough; other times, it isn't. Please reach out to me so I can help you learn proven effective mindfulness techniques that reduce anxiety, worry, and help manage the problems you are having1 .
(1) Contact Us
I’ve tried meditation before, but my mind still races. How is your approach different?
First of all, it's completely normal for your mind to wander, especially when you’re anxious. That's how your minds work. My technique is gentle, guided meditation practice, specifically designed for people who struggle with racing thoughts. My approach is simple: practice, practice, practice. My coaching method is not for temporary relief or generic advice. I don’t offer a bandaid; instead, I try to empower you to become active participants in your own healing. I meet you exactly where you are - even if your mind is racing or chaotic. Instead of trying to stop the wandering mind, I teach you the skills to notice it and gently guide it back using awareness. I help you understand your habit loops (trigger → behavior → reward) so you can break free from habitual thought patterns. My meditations are personalized, flexible, and empowering so you feel supported and in control. I don’t coach you to try to silence the racing mind. That would be futile. I help you build a new relationship with your thoughts so you can respond with clarity instead of being pulled by fear or habit.
Do I need any previous experience with meditation to join your programs?
Not at all. Whether you're new to meditation or returning, everything is taught in a simple, step-by-step manner. You’ll be supported. Even if you have meditated a lot, you know that the mind still wanders, anxiety still shows up, and sometimes, you still feel stuck. You'll find that my sessions go deeper. Every meditation is a unique journey, originally written by me - no generic recordings. No two sessions are alike, because you’re never in the same place twice. All that’s required is an open mind and a willingness to show up for yourself.
How long does it usually take to feel the benefits of mindfulness practice?
Many people notice small shifts, like feeling more grounded or sleeping a bit better, within just a few sessions. You may notice some benefits right away, but with regular, consistent practice, those benefits deepen - and become more lasting and meaningful over time. We have the ability to rewire the path of our brain by learning to accept the present moment instead of getting lost in thought. Mindfulness isn’t about getting rid of stress or thoughts - it’s about changing our relationship with them. The good news is: you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present—and keep coming back. Mindfulness is an ongoing, lifelong journey.
Can meditation really help with sleep and pain management?
Yes, it's fantastic! Meditation helps relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Mindful meditation-based pain relief also supports pain management by reducing the stress response and helping you respond to discomfort with greater calm and awareness—something I experienced personally during my healing journey. This has been proven in experimental and clinical settings as per NIH.
How do I get started, and what can I expect in a session?
Getting started is easy—just reach out through my website or contact form. In each session, I’ll guide you through simple mindfulness and meditation practices tailored to your needs. We’ll focus on calming anxious thoughts, building emotional resilience, and supporting you through whatever life change you’re facing. You’ll leave each session feeling more centered, supported, and empowered.
Is there a difference between mindfulness and meditation?
Mindfulness is a state of awareness carried throughout daily life and is valuable, not just when meditating, but also in every moment of everyday life.
Meditation is a daily practice to train the mind and develop mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of awareness that can be used during meditation.
Meditation is the exercise to develop mindfulness or awareness. Mindfulness requires an increased sense of awareness and staying present in the moment. Practicing meditation to develop mindfulness is good for your body, mind, and heart and brings a sense of calm, inner peace, and gratitude.
What is happening in our mind when getting caught up in anxiety?
Our mind tries to reduce uncertainty by going on autopilot and uses habitual patterns of thought to reduce it. In the past, these habitual patterns developed because they give us the sense of being able to control the uncertainty. The uncertainty can't be reduced but these habitual behaviors feel better than the uncertainty. Once we stop the thinking, the uncertainty comes back and we repeat the behavior. This creates loops of thoughts that constantly repeat. By using mindfulness to become aware of being on autopilot and caught in these loops, we can learn to change this behavior and stop the uncomfortable feelings caused by the uncertainty from growing.
Has mindfulness been proven to reduce anxiety?
Yes! Many recent studies have shown that physical changes occur in the brain of people who regularly practice meditation. One such study "shows that mindfulness can significantly improve mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression."1 Studies have shown that areas of the brain related to habitual behaviors caused by anxiety are greatly reduced in people who are advanced meditators, and suggest that "emotions like fear and stress tend to shrink in people who meditate regularly. "2 These changes can be seen even in people who are just starting to meditate. The more people practice meditation, the greater these changes are. Using meditation to train the mind has been proven by these studies to effectively reduce anxiety.
(1) Science Behind Mindfulness: Neurological and Psychological Mechanisms
(2) Unlocking the Power of Meditation: How It Transforms Your Brain
Living Your Life Without Anxiety
Disclaimer
I understand that by using this website, I will be receiving coaching services from Meditation To Live Well LLC, which are not intended to substitute for professional mental health care or medical care, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any mental health or medical conditions. I also understand that Meditation To Live Well LLC is not acting as a mental health counselor or a medical professional.