Kelvin conversing with college students in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Millennials & Gen Z’s — You Can Be Yourself Again...
Research shows that Millennials and Gen Z’s value “life balance” more than previous generations. This is a terrific change, and speaks to their level of self-awareness. Yet too many of them are increasingly anxious. While I have taught thousands of clients from age 4 to 94 over the past 40 years, in the past 5 years I have been increasingly teaching more young adults 16 to 34 to meditate.
“It turns out Millennials do feel more pressure. 67 percent of them said they felt “extreme” pressure to succeed, compared to 40 percent of GenXers and 23 percent of Boomers. There was a marked difference in the open-ended responses of Millennials, too - an overall mood of anxiety and self-reproach. The majority felt the same way I did: They hadn’t done enough yet, and time was running out.”
Why are Millennials & gen z’s increasingly anxious?
Here are several reasons supported by current research:
Social Media: pressure for Likes & Followers falsely equating with personal and social value (University of Pittsburgh research indicates the more time spent on social media the more likely to be depressed).
Pressure to Succeed: pressure to be rich and successful before 30 (in one study 67% felt extreme pressure to succeed), as well as excelling at university or working full-time.
Poor Sleep Quality: unrestful sleep and insomnia increase anxiety and upset emotional balance (according to the American Psychological Association 52% say their stress is so worrying it keeps them up at night).
Brain Chemistry: research indicates that the brain chemistry between the ages of 18 and 25 is especially sensitive because of the still developing brain during those formative years. This can cause young adults to be particularly vulnerable to stress and anxiety. “...Brain scans show clearly that the brain is not fully finished developing until about age 25.” (NPR interview with Dr. Sandra Aamodt, neuroscientist and co-author of the book Welcome to Your Child's Brain)
Coping Mechanisms: periods of high stress and anxiety tend to coincide with alcohol and recreational chemical use. “Studies have shown that people with alcohol dependence are 3.7 times more likely to also have major depressive disorders.” (Alcohol and Mental Health, innerbody.com)
“52% of Millennials say their stress is so worrying, it’s kept them up at night, according to the American Psychological Association, which has been measuring stress levels since 2007.”
Some parents have even contacted me to teach their Gen Z’s to meditate!
And so they (or their parents) often reach out for help to reduce and overcome their anxieties. As one of my 20-year-old students put it — so they can “feel more like themselves” again.
I have taught hundreds of Millennials & Gen Z’s to meditate. Teaching them to meditate is so important for the future of our world — to free up all the creativity and energy they have. I also have two beautiful children, 29 and 35 years old, who also meditate and remind me — as well as my own memories of course — of what it’s like during those accelerated growth years.
I’m here to help. I look forward to hearing from you.
~ Kelvin Chin
Sam Chin, Meditation Teacher
Kelvin’s daughter, Sam Chin, also teaches “Turning Within” Meditation to millennials and Gen Z worldwide. Click the below button to see her website and to contact her directly. Kelvin and Sam both teach under the nonprofit that Kelvin established.
Here are a few comments
expressed in their own words...
Helped me overcome my fear…
“Kelvin has helped me tremendously! He had so much patience and has a passion for helping those who struggle with this fear. He helped me overcome this fear and I can now see life in a new perspective. Thank You, Kelvin !”
— Genesis, 16 years old, high school student
Samantha, 4 years old, learned to meditate
Samantha (Sam), 29 years old
#1 Thing when it comes to creating our own Happiness…
“Learning to meditate from my dad, Kelvin, when I was 4 years old is one of my first memories as a kid. Since then, this meditation technique has been so vital in maintaining balance for me in so many ways. It aids in my restfulness in sleep, keeps my immune system strong, strengthens my ability to process my emotions and communicate, and my favorite— it gives me comfort with navigating the different uncertainties that life naturally holds by boosting my confidence in understanding myself and who I continually evolve to be. It also helps me to trust and lean into my creativity as an artist. Meditating is a simple tool I’m so thankful for, and I can use it anywhere from public transportation to the comfort of my own bed and I’m able to fit it into my ever changing and busy schedule with ease. Kelvin is always so insightful with any questions I have regarding meditation and reiterates how “knowing myself” is incorporated into so many questions we all have about life. Aside from regular exercise, healthy diet, and personal self care, meditation is the #1 thing I’ve always recommended to people when it comes to creating our own happiness.”
— Sam Chin, now 29 years old, model and dancer, meditation teacher
Changed my life in just 3 weeks…
“Turning Within” Meditation changed my life in just three weeks. Had my first ever panic attack and never knew about it. This rapidly developed into anxiety. So I struggled daily with symptoms like chest pain, chest tightness, hyperventilation, headache, muscle twitches, stomach disorder etc. I now have little to no occurrences of these symptoms arising. Meditation has changed my life. Thank you, Kelvin.
— Martin, 27 years old, Grenada (Eastern Caribbean), manager
Immediately felt improvement in my daily life…
“I was so lucky to learn meditation from Kelvin. He is so knowledgeable, passionate, and has so much experience working with people all around the world with different backgrounds. His meditation technique is so simple yet very powerful. I immediately felt the improvement in my daily life and the benefits of it. Another thing that I appreciate about him is that he always makes himself available when you need help with something. I have known Kelvin for 4 years now and even though we have never met in-person, we still keep in touch. I still get to learn from him. I am very glad that our paths crossed.
He is the best!”
— Idil Yaman, 26 years old, admissions counselor, Toronto
My fear of death, panic attacks and anxiety almost completely gone, so I am able to live in harmony and tranquillity…
“I have always been a person who has had a high degree of concern about stressful situations in my life and that had not affected me so much until the 2020 pandemic arrived and with it my first panic attack and my anxiety appeared, it was quite a year mentally chaotic, with many fears and situations that I did not understand, I felt that at any moment my life would slip away or I take it out of my hands. The following months I started to have a little improvement with a slow transition to normal life after the world came to a standstill for a long time due to COVID. After my excessive fear of death began, I entered a spiral of despair, terrifying and very intense suicidal thoughts, accompanied by panic attacks and anxiety. I had not wanted to seek help because I thought that nobody could do much about my situation, until I was able to find the kindest and most spectacular person to help me recover my life and with it the desire to live it; it even taught me to live it in a better way.
“With Kelvin’s meditation, not only has my fear of death, my panic attacks, my anxiety almost completely decreased, to the point of being able to live in harmony and tranquility. I must mention that meditation has helped me to better face situations that have nothing to do with mental problems, but by relating better and wisely with people, facing complex situations in love, family and in different scenarios that they would represent a lot of stress for me before, trying to solve each problem that I have to face in the best possible way, if it is in my hands to be able to intervene and control situations and keeping calm in other circumstances that I cannot control or intervene, finding in the process my peace of mind.
“I wish that anyone who is going through a dark moment in their life could take this meditation with Kelvin, he saved my life, I went from thinking that I was never going to be able to go out again to enjoy a rainy afternoon because even that it triggered strong panic attacks, wanting to get wet in the rain while I can happily walk outside the house.
“I have been meditating for almost two years and I never thought that my life was going to transform so positively, and it causes a lot of intrigue how my life will continue to change for the better in the following years by applying meditation, I know it will be sensational.”
— Andrea Bernal, 27 years old, Bogotá, Colombia
“It is incredible how effective this technique is. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I still have some inner thoughts that somewhat bug me but they are slowly just becoming irrelevant. It’s freakin crazy! — It has given me an ability to pull back the curtain on my fears — that the way I felt wasn’t who I was. It has given me a perspective. Shows you who you are at your best. This is me. My real self. Shows you in a non-religious way who you really are. The anxiety is not who you are. I keep asking myself, ‘How did I run into this guy (Kelvin) who looks at this stuff the way I do?!’ Not over the top. He is down-to-earth, practical. I’m so thankful.”
— Sidney Covey, 21 years old, salesperson
“Right now, I feel the best I’ve felt since the whole thing started. I thought I could never feel that way again...I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me. I know I’m still not where I need to be, but I truly believe I will get there and start enjoying my life in the same way I used to.”
(Received after 2 months of meditation):
“I thought I’d get in touch as it’s been so long since we last spoke. I’ve been doing really well, have had barely any anxiety and have been getting on with my life. I’m excited about Christmas and realize that that wouldn’t be the case if it wasn’t for you. Thank you so much for everything!”
— Phil, 24 years old, England
“When I meditate it brings me back to a peaceful state. We all have things that go on in our daily lives but it’s up to us how we react to those situations. Meditation will allow you, I now see, to deal with things a bit easier instead of maybe getting tense and heated over something small. The major thing though at the end of this what meditation does is that it makes you calm and I love that feeling.”
— Xavier, 24 years old, limo driver
“I was relaxed and calm before and while I was taking my important government civil service exam that I studied for over many months before.
I was so calm, I didn’t get any kind of nervousness during the exam.
I was pretty sure that I would definitely get anxious during the exam but it didn’t happen at all. I think this is all because of the meditation technique I have been doing for the last couple of months, all credit goes to Kelvin, he taught me how meditation can keep me calm during this period, I want to thank Kelvin from the bottom of my heart.”
— Aashik, 31 years old, Bangladesh, government bank officer
“I feel awesome. For several years I have tried to meditate, and this is the only technique that has worked for me. I am extremely thankful.”
(Received 5 weeks later):
“Good evening, Kel! I wanted to update you on how I’m doing and give you a more articulated review of your class.
So the meditation is going great, my anxiety surrounding everything in my life has lessened even my existential dread and fear has improved significantly and I feel more at peace with myself and what the future holds.
Concerning the fear of death specifically, the meditation has helped and I am facing it with less fear and more bravery than I ever had before and the feeling is nothing short of liberating.
In combination of the meditation and conquering fear, this has helped me in other ways as well. I am doing better in my college work, my confidence, my job, my relationships, everything. I feel like a new person.
The meditation is effortless and feels natural I have never had so much success in a technique. Thank you for all of your guidance and teachings!”
— Kevin Taulbee, 20 years old, college student
“Kelvin’s meditation has helped me become at peace with myself. After dealing with some tragic events I was trying to find new ways to relieve my anxiety, I came across Kelvin’s website and contacted him immediately. From the beginning he was so helpful and extremely supportive and his meditation is so simple yet helpful. I feel much more relaxed and happier now and I couldn’t thank Kelvin enough.”
— Kiani, 21 years old, university student
“Thanks to Kelvin’s teachings and help — a heavy weight was removed, and thanks also to his payment method, that for me as a High School student not having a job I didn’t have to wait to pay it all at once, I had the option to pay it as slowly as I could until I had a job. Am very lucky I found this website. Thanks again Kelvin!!”
— Mario, 17 years old, high school student
“Kel, I wanted to take a second to tell you how grateful I am for your guidance. These moments of meditation have truly brought me back to LIFE! I dealt with severe anxiety and fear for the last 7 years of my life. It would get worse and worse to the point where it was manifesting into my life physically constant headaches, low low energy to where all I wanted to do was crumble into a little ball there was a period of time where just being awake was a struggle. Keeping my body upright was almost impossible. I lost my Vision not literally but Im speaking in a sense of where I seen myself in the future and my business went down. I ended up homeless for a couple months sleeping in my car. I knew it was not a issue a doctor could fix. I Knew it was me. I starting fighting my way back in search of answers, and came across your page online. And after all the struggles I feel hope again, I feel clearer. Not 100% but I feel on track, I can see specs of my future again, not the full picture but before I couldn’t even see that. Most of all I feel like I’m learning how to be alive all over again. Thanks to you, Im learning how to slow down my life and be present, to enjoy every moment of it, and it feels UNBELIEVABLE! Thanks again Kel excited for the journey ahead.”
— Miguel Chavez, 27 years old, salesperson
“Three years ago I had a major change in my life which included getting married, accepting a new position in my company and moving to a new country (Kuwait). That’s when I first started getting panic attacks. After a few weeks, the symptoms deteriorated but never went away. In the last three years, my anxiety has had it’s ups and downs, and two weeks ago I started having panic attacks so intense that I could not sleep. That’s when I found Kel by googling, desperately looking for some help! I decided to drop him an email and was pleasantly surprised to get a response within a few hours. We scheduled our first session the very next day, and today I feel much, much better! Kel’s meditation technique is helping me get a grip of my life again. Of course, I am not there yet, but with Kel’s help and guidance, things look brighter!”
[About 1-1/2 years after I received the above email, I got this 2nd email from Jovan:]
“I met Kelvin about 2 years ago when I was working in Kuwait. I was having severe panic attacks, and had great difficulty sleeping. So, in the middle of the night, I found Kelvin’s website on the Internet, and reached out to him. We talked about my death anxiety, and I took his private meditation class. I’ve been meditating every day twice a day since then.
After about two weeks of meditating, I finally had a good night’s sleep. It was the first time in a long while I had slept so well. But then I went back to not sleeping so well again. I kept in touch with Kelvin, we meditated together on videoconference, and he told me that is often what can happen — that we can go back and forth for a while, but to stick with the meditation because things are changing inside gradually.
Sure enough, after some time (I’m not sure exactly how long), my sleeping became more and more regular and my sleep difficulties eventually disappeared. My anxieties about death also reduced gradually and then disappeared, for me after about 6 months.
It has been about a year and a half now since I have had any anxieties.”
— Jovan, 30 years old, Kuwait, IT manager
How meditation has eliminated my anxiety...
“When I begin my day with meditation, it creates a solid, calm, clear, foundation for the day ahead. My abilities to think clearly and logically are heightened, my emotional stresses are lessened, and my anxiety is eliminated. When I end my day with meditation, a long hard day is cleared from my mind, and I’m able to look back on the day with a more rational train of thought. I used to suffer from anxiety attacks on almost a daily basis, and rarely do I ever feel them anymore. I truly owe it all to Kelvin and the skill set he has provided me for my lifetime. He has changed my life for the better, and with every meditation I feel stronger, wiser, happier, more wholesome, and aligned with my positive forward journey.”
— Lily O'Dare, 26 years old, photographer
Panic attacks and anxiety...
“I am a physician working in NYC.
“I first had panic attacks and anxiety when I was 18 years old and have been well for many years since I first learned how to live a life free of these uncomfortable physical and psychological sensations.
“I recently had a return of my symptoms and was recommended to learn meditation with Kelvin.
“I first met Kelvin a month ago on 7/31/2018. Though there was a part of me that was skeptical about learning meditation, its effect on my mind and body, and if it would even work, I knew that I had to try something new to help myself live a life free of panic and constant anxiety. Long story short — in exactly the past month, Kelvin has been a crucial part of not only my support system, a wise friend, but also an instrumental asset to my steady recovery.
“Now for the longer version.
“From the very first conversation, Kelvin took the time to really understand my individual situation. One of my initial concerns was that such a technique would be a “one size fits all” approach — and what if this one size doesn’t fit my situation and my needs. Though the technique itself is universal, Kelvin helped personalize my experience with learning meditation — melding his forty plus years of knowledge and experience with meditation to assuage each and every one of my concerns as they came up. I cannot stress this minute but absolutely essential fact — Kelvin literally addressed EVERY concern I had.
“Why is this so essential? Because for people like me, (and I know from personal and professional experience that there are thousands and millions of people who experience very similar situations as I did with my panic and anxiety) having certain concerns that linger in my thoughts without being addressed can build up and create a larger problem long term. Kelvin was keen to recognize this and address them one by one until I was fully comfortable with the meditation.
“What did this accomplish for me? Once I felt fully comfortable with the meditation, I was able to meditate comfortably and easily twice a day everyday. Eventually, the initial warm up period and the technique itself became irrelevant, and I was able to simply lay down and rest — and that in itself was my meditation. My brain, mind and body became psychologically and physiologically acclimated to automatically reproduce the overwhelming positive effects of my meditation that Kelvin helped train them (my brain, mind and body) to do. This occurs when I close my eyes and simply start with my rest period irrespective of whether I do my warm up or technique phases prior to the rest period.
“I cannot thank Kelvin enough for his guidance, wisdom and friendship. He is a genuine human being with the soul of a gallant warrior.
“Believe me, I would not take the take to write this if I didn’t truly mean every word of it.
“I would happily write pages and pages more about my experience at the expense of people reading this losing focus of its purpose — that is to help persuade their subconscious mind that meditation works, but it works because of the teacher and the experience that teacher exposes you to. Kelvin is that teacher and he is a God-send.
“Once again, thank you Kelvin!”
— Allen, DO, 26 years old, physician
Can now dream big...
“I can now dream big only because of your guidance in meditation. I am in debt to you. Thanks once again.
Take care.
“Make some time to visit Bangladesh. I will be overwhelmed if you can make some time to visit my house.”
— Aashik, 31 years old, Bangladesh, finance officer
Insight and peace in my childhood…crucial for me recently in my acting career…
“My father Kelvin taught me to meditate at the age of five and it has been an invaluable tool in my life. Having this tool at such a young age brought me insight and peace early in my life especially through the rapid developmental time we call childhood. There came a time — or age rather — when I rejected much of the sound advice of my parents, and I’ll admit that I did not meditate very much during my teenage years. I would regret this short-sighted decision if I was not already at peace with the decisions I have made in the past. As I’ve moved through life and matured, I’ve found that meditation continues to become more and more valuable to me. Time seems to move more quickly — and quite literally does if one considers one’s own expanding frame of reference — but meditation seems to give me more time to do what I feel needs to be done on a daily basis or more accurately, just the time I need. Meditation has continued to help me filter out the anxiety and stress that comes with everyday life as I’ve gotten older, but its effects have been crucial for me in recent years while developing my acting career. Kelvin’s approach to teaching meditation is so easy and hands-on that I recommend him to all people of all ages.”
— Jesse Abbott Chin, 35 years old, actor