Finding Stillness in the Pharmacy by Meditation Teacher Training graduate Jessenia Alvarez

As I stood in the pharmacy, waiting to get medication for my daughter who has pneumonia, I found myself surrounded by shelves of prescriptions and a line of people, each with their own stories and struggles. In that moment, the teachings of Vipassana came to mind—reminding me to pause, to be present, and to extend compassion beyond myself.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, silently wishing not only for my daughter’s swift recovery but also for the well-being of everyone around me. “May all beings be free from suffering,” I repeated silently, allowing those words to wash over me and everyone waiting for their turn.

In that stillness, I recalled a moment during my meditation training when I felt the collective weight of the world’s suffering. It was then I understood that compassion isn’t just a concept but a practice—a practice of stepping outside of our own pain to embrace the shared humanity around us. This simple act of stopping, of extending compassion, brought a profound sense of connection and peace. It was a reminder that in our busy lives, a moment of mindfulness can be a rallying call to our inner warrior—a call to extend compassion not only to ourselves but to all beings.