The Non-Obvious Choice to Bring Mindfulness into the Restaurant World by Meditation Teacher Training student Yuka Saijo

I wanted to share an experience that has felt like an important turning point in my meditation journey — one that helped me see how my existing work could become a meaningful way to serve others.

For the past several years, I’ve worked in alcohol sales and built close relationships within the restaurant industry. Recently, through my meditation practice, I began reflecting more deeply on Right Action - and questioning how my work could better align with my values. What became clear is that I genuinely love the people in this industry, and I wanted to find a way to support their well-being using the relationships I had already cultivated.

That clarity led to an unexpected and exciting moment.

I had a meeting at Massara on Park, a Michelin-guide Italian restaurant — not for sales, but to offer meditation. I shared the idea with the manager, who spoke with the chef and leadership team. They were immediately enthusiastic, and I was invited to guide a 10-minute meditation session for 25–30 members of the staff.

The session took place in a dining room near the kitchen. Knowing there would be background noise, I planned the meditation intentionally: beginning with mindfulness of breathing, moving into mindfulness of sound, and then returning to the breath. Rather than trying to block out the sounds of the kitchen, we welcomed them into the practice. What could have been a distraction became a point of connection and presence.

As I guided the meditation, I felt a deep sense of alignment. This was not about leaving my current career behind, but about transforming it — bringing mindfulness directly into a world I know well, and offering something supportive to people who often work under intense pressure.

This experience helped me trust that I’m being guided toward work that feels both meaningful and authentic. It showed me that mindfulness doesn’t need to exist apart from our daily lives or professions. It can meet us exactly where we are — and, sometimes, open new doors we didn’t know were there.

I’m grateful for the practice and teachings that made this moment possible, and I’m excited to continue exploring how mindfulness can be shared in unexpected places.