22 Meet the Author

Hello! I’m Justin Smith, an Environmental Policy and Decision-Making major with a focus in Environmental and Social Justice and a minor in Philosophy at Ohio State. This chapter was adapted from a paper I wrote while taking Religion and Environmental Values in America at the beginning of my third-year in fall of 2021. The topic of meditation and connection became incredibly important to me this year as I worked to find new ways to take care of my mental health, stand up for my values, and learn about other people in the face of global crises. By connecting different perspectives on the idea of the self and comparing them to my own experiences, reflection and meditation provide meaning, purpose, and understanding of community. I hope this chapter gives you a chance to explore connections across religious ideologies, and start to apply new perspectives to your own life.