“A heart attack put me in an ambulance, rushing to the emergency room. As I was being loaded into the vehicle, an EMT told me, “Sir, you’ve had a heart attack.” My first reaction was, “Oh, shit,” but then a profound calm washed over me.
The next thing I remember, I was sitting up in the OR, watching everyone frantically doing their work. And then, nothing—just an overwhelming sense of relief, security, like plunging into water. I felt immersed, supported, yet freely moving. There was no sight, only pure sensation.
It was a Near-Death Experience. But what came after is what truly transformed my life.
By a series of serendipitous events, I had attended a talk by Samantha in San Mateo, CA, several months before my heart attack. Afterward, my cardiologist suggested I begin mindfulness sessions, and I immediately thought of Samantha. That decision marked the beginning of a life-changing journey.
I spent over a year working with Samantha, and it was incredible. I wasn’t the most disciplined student, but she was phenomenal. With her guidance, I found the courage to leave my career and Bay Area home behind. My wife and I were drawn to the Mendocino coast, where we now live. That year was nothing short of transformational.
I started pursuing art professionally, and it has truly taken off.
My life changed in ways I could never have imagined. The courage, strength, and energy I gained from my sessions with Samantha are things I will never forget.
It feels as though I was meant to meet Samantha at that exact time and place in my life.”