Daily Inspiration: Meet Jeff Kober

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Kober.

Hi Jeff, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m someone who used to struggle with social anxiety and the feeling of not fitting in. As an actor, this made life quite uncomfortable, and for years I sought a solution in inner work and forms of meditation, traveling to India, taking workshops, reading self-help books. In 2002, I learned Vedic Meditation, and my life began to change–feelings about myself, about my place in the world. Anxiety lessened, and I began to feel happiness for no apparent reason. I started to know myself as something other than my thoughts and feelings. These days I see the world as a series of opportunities to be present and to enjoy, rather than a constant challenge. It also bears saying that I’ve been sober from drugs and alcohol for many years, but it wasn’t until I learned this practice that I became able to find true happiness. 

I studied with my teacher and assisted him in his teachings long enough that it was clear that I ought to become a teacher. Though initially resistant, I have found it to be one of the great gifts of my life. I am able to pass on what was given to me and help others find their way through their own difficulties. Over the years, I have taught many people how to practice this simple mental technique–Vedic Meditation–and how to see life more through the eyes of hope and possibility than the eyes of habit and problem. We have twice weekly group meditations, free and open to the public; and once a month I teach the practice itself in a four day course, some in person, some via Zoom.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve had the great gift of not needing to be supported solely by my teaching. I’m an actor as well, and a tintype photographer. Both teaching meditation and taking photographs has kept me thriving and alive. When any one arena of business is slow, there is always work to be done in another. Moving between the different outlets keeps my work in each of them fresh and allows me to stay interested and excited about what each day might bring.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My specialty is my ability to teach this meditation to anyone, whether they think they can meditate or not, whether they distrust the practice or not. I learned the practice myself only after much skepticism on my part; and I became a teacher only reluctantly. I had tried so many things myself, without success, I thought this would be just one more disappointment. So I can really relate to someone who’s coming from a similar mindset. As well, I’ve done every kind of work, from farming to taxi driving, factory work to selling corn dogs in a carnival. As an actor, I’ve learned to step into a new job and a team of strangers and immediately pull my own weight. All of this gives me my own unique approach which allows me to be at once independent while still able to work (and play) well with others. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to find what you love, what truly brings you alive, and do that. The desire and passion we feel for a thing is life’s way of telling us this is where we belong, this is what we are meant to be doing, in one form or another. We are not meant to sell our time and our passion to the highest bidder; rather, we are meant to use our time and our passion fully in our own work. This is what will feed us, personally as well as professionally, and this is where we will be able to offer the most of ourselves to the world.

Pricing:

• Group meditations and talks are free and open to the public.
• The four day course to learn Vedic Meditation is $1000, though lower fees are available to those who are in need of financial assistance.
• To find out more about Vedic meditation, and to hear an introductory talk, sign-up is available here: https://jeff-kober.com/meditation/#join-free-intro-talk

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: jeff-kober.com
• Instagram: jeffkobermeditation