A Brain Injury Forces A New Purpose with Journalist & Zen Practitioner Lee Carlson

Send us Fan MailHe woke up from a coma and discovered the hardest part was not the hospital, it was the identity reset. I’m joined by author and speaker Lee Carlson, who shares what happened after a traumatic brain injury changed his memory, his personality, and the way he understood purpose. We talk honestly about the fear and anxiety that can follow a life-altering event, and how recovery becomes more than rehab when you have to rebuild your inner life from the ground up. Lee takes us into the practices that helped him heal: mindfulness meditation rooted in Zen Buddhism, the importance of finding a real meditation teacher, and why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works when you’re trying to steady your mind. We get practical about posture, breathing, and even where you place your gaze, plus how movement like walking meditation and running can deepen body awareness. If you’re searching for tools for anxiety relief, self-care, and resilience, you’ll leave with simple ideas you can start using right away. We also go deeper into spirituality and transformation, including the language we use for God, the experience of presence that feels bigger than words, and the lesson both of us keep coming back to: letting go. Lee shares how community and sangha build courage, why progress is not linear, and how his books Passage To Nirvana and A Single Excellent Night translate hard-earned wisdom into a path forward. If this conversation helps you, subscribe to the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories of healing and purpose.To connect with or purchase Lee's books, visit his website at leecarlson.lifeSupport the showTo download a free chapter of host Sylvia Worsham's bestselling book, In Faith, I Thrive: Finding Joy Through God's Masterplan, purchase any of her products, or book a call with her, visit her website at www.sylviaworsham.com