19 Comments
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Amir's avatar

Very well written, nothing complicated, just straightforward. Thanks for sharing this piece to the world

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you, Amir—that means a lot. I’ve found that sometimes the simplest practices are the ones that stay with us the longest. Grateful it resonated. More coming soon.

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Healing Out Loud's avatar

This is so good!! I’ve always wanted to meditate but I’m entirely too AuDHD to get my brain to stop wandering. Although I’ve learned recently that you don’t have to stop your brain from wandering to meditate 🤯

But 3 breaths— yes— it makes such a difference. I’m rewiring my nervous system after a lifetime of trauma and an incredibly abusive marriage. You’ve reframed how I think about meditation. Thank you!

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m really moved by your journey—and honored that this reframing resonated. Three breaths can be such a powerful shift. Wishing you continued strength and gentleness as you keep showing up for your nervous system and healing.

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Healing Out Loud's avatar

Thank you so much. I’ve been out for a year and I’ve really felt a shift in me lately— I can lean into calm, peace, joy. I couldn’t do that before. I’m coming back into myself after dissociating as a survival method.

I’m looking forward to reading more, and sharing what I’ve learned with my readers, who are mostly other women who have similar experiences to mine. When you’re in the middle of trauma and trying to heal and reset, everything is so overwhelming. Bite sized, actionable steps are feel so much more manageable, and they really do make a difference. This is what we need! 🩷

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

That’s so wonderful to hear. The way you’re reclaiming calm and presence—after everything—is incredibly powerful. And I love that you’re passing it forward to your readers. You’re right: when things feel overwhelming, the smaller the steps, the more possible healing feels. I’m grateful this work meets you there. We need more voices like yours in this space. Please keep sharing.

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Healing Out Loud's avatar

I appreciate your kindness and encouragement more than I can express 🩷

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Naked Read's avatar

your first post but you did great start.. thanks.

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you so much, Ruman. I’m glad it landed. More to come, and I’d love to hear what resonates as this unfolds.

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Tamy Faierman M.D.'s avatar

Love this piece, Eli. How wonderful you got to Plum Village. Hope to be going next year. It's been on my radar for years now. Love these micro-practices, and being a microsurgeon, you know these resonate well with me LOL Keep them coming

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you, Tamy—really appreciate your kind words. Plum Village was such a meaningful experience for me, and I hope it works out for you to visit soon. And I love that the micro angle resonates on multiple levels! Grateful to be connected here.

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Tamy Faierman M.D.'s avatar

Thanks, Eli, likewise .

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William White's avatar

The idea is very good. I embrace it with both hands. I recommend everyone get acquainted with it.

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you so much, William. I’m glad the idea resonates. If you know anyone who could use a moment of calm or clarity in their day, feel free to pass it along!

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William White's avatar

Yes, I will.

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Abigayle Monis's avatar

This sounds great! I have been dealing with mystery health issues my whole life and eventually I had to resort to neural rewiring because nothing else was working. Your words remind me a lot of some of the ideas involved in nervous system work. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Bragging to a monk it’s also so ironic, I love it.

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you, Abigayle. Truly. What you shared struck a chord—this work is rooted in that same spirit: rewiring, not by escaping daily life, but by meeting it differently. Moment by moment.

I’m glad it resonated. And yes—bragging to a monk… still one of my top five mindfulness misfires. 😅

More to come soon. If a future note stirs something, I’d love to hear.

And if someone in your world could use a breath of light, feel free to pass it on—we’re building this one moment at a time.

Grateful you're here.

—Eli

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Abigayle Monis's avatar

I will definitely be passing your Substack along to people in my life. I wish you success and can’t wait to hear more from you!

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

That truly means a lot, Abigayle—thank you. More to come soon!

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