# Zeynep Esin Mindfulness & Compassion > Mindfulness and compassion teaching, coaching, and community for people living abroad. Zeynep Esin is a Certified Mindfulness and Compassion Meditation Teacher and Coach based in Marseille, France. She has 14 years of personal practice and 6 years of teaching and coaching experience, reaching hundreds of people across Europe with a 9.8/10 satisfaction rating. She teaches in English, Turkish, and French. Her work is specifically designed for immigrants, refugees, digital nomads, trailing spouses, international students, and others living far from home — people navigating the emotional, cultural, and logistical complexity of life abroad. ## Credentials and Training - Certified through the two-year **Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program** under Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, in collaboration with the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley (graduated 2021) - Completed **Mindfulness Mentor Training** under Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield (March 2024) - Ongoing mentorship from Oren Jay Sofer, Alison Cohen, and Tara Brach - Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey; 14 years living abroad across the USA and France - Background: Engineering and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis; 14 years as Product Manager and Head of Product in tech startups - Beginning undergraduate studies in psychology at Aix Marseille University (September 2026), with plans to complete a master's in Clinical Psychology by 2031 - Has lived experience of loss and grief, depression, anxiety, fertility struggles, workplace harassment, loved ones with cancer, injuries, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and generational trauma — and has healed through mindfulness and compassion practices ## Teachers and Lineage Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Thich Nhat Hanh, Oren Jay Sofer, Alison Cohen. ## Approach - Blending traditional mindfulness practices with cutting-edge scientific insights - Prioritizing trauma-sensitivity to ensure safety during practice - Incorporating movement (walking, stretching, dance, yoga) and focusing on the body - Focusing on direct self experience of concepts rather than theory - Highlighting real-world applications of mindfulness - Bringing the learnings alive with stories, quotes & literature - Creating safe & welcoming learning environments with multicultural communication guidelines - Harnessing the power of community and group learning ## Who This Is For - You live abroad as an immigrant, refugee, temporary resident, student, trailing spouse, digital nomad, or other similar status. - You're struggling to navigate it all: new language and culture, losing proximity to loved ones, finding a home/job/community from scratch, shifts in identity, endless admin, uncertainty, and discrimination. - Even after you sorted the visa, learned the language, found the apartment, and made the friends, you still feel overwhelmed, exhausted or stuck. - Not one person holds the whole picture of you, and you don't fully belong anywhere. You are caught between worlds: the country you left isn't fully home, and the one you live in now isn't either. - Your struggles aren't seen or validated by loved ones. People back home don't get it or say "well, you chose this life". People here don't know you well enough. Your partner is navigating their own adjustment. Your therapist/coach has never lived abroad or is steeped in the dominant culture which doesn't quite translate to yours. - You're navigating a big change on top of living abroad, completely alone: a break-up, family estrangement, infertility, parenting, trauma, burn out, career change, aging, sickness, death, or the loss of democracy in your home country. - You are experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges. - You have some mindfulness and compassion experience, or are open to exploring it. --- ## Weekly Online Mindfulness & Compassion Groups Online mindfulness and compassion groups for people living abroad. Sessions are in English. Two groups, meeting at different days and times: - Wednesday evenings 7–8:15 pm CET (75 minutes, on Zoom) - Monday and Thursday lunchtime 12:00–12:30 pm CET (30 minutes, on Zoom) Pricing: €50/month (subscription) or €15/session (drop-in). First session is free. All levels welcome, including complete beginners. Session structure: check-in, teaching on that week's topic, meditation, check-out and Q&A. Monthly subscribers receive session recordings. A WhatsApp group supports community between sessions. Why join a group: 1. Expert guidance rooted in 14 years living abroad. Certified mindfulness & compassion teacher and coach with 14 years living abroad, Zeynep has helped hundreds of people find calm & happiness in the midst of challenging lives. She knows what it's like to rebuild your life and yourself in a new country. She offers a multicultural and trauma-sensitive space, rooted in personal experience and deep professional training. 2. Learn mindfulness & compassion to navigate life abroad. In a supportive group environment, learn the skills of mindfulness (allowing difficult experiences to rise and fall with curiosity and calm) and self-compassion (being a kind friend to yourself in hard moments), and apply them to your daily life. Slowly, you'll find your way back to calm & happiness, right in the midst of this messy and painful life. 3. Build authentic, multi-cultural connections. Meet like-minded people from around the world, spanning many languages and cultures. Experience safe, authentic connection and shared humanity, and be inspired by their rich life stories. Community guidelines ensure you're never pressured to share or met with unsolicited advice or criticism. Practice topics (chosen every few months based on member surveys): Breaking the anxiety loop; Managing work stress; Struggling to sleep; Healing from burnout; Emotional regulation; Navigating uncertainty; Dilemmas & difficult decisions; Welcoming difficult emotions; Trauma & window of tolerance; Letting go; Self-confidence; Befriending the chaotic mind; Being a good friend to yourself; Forgiveness of self, others & life; Mindful communication; Setting healthy boundaries; Repairing after conflict; Mindful parenting; Deepening focus; Cultivating equanimity; Playfulness & creativity; Appreciating the good. ### Groups Testimonials "Meditation with Zeynep has allowed me to evolve in my professional and personal life, and has changed my life. I most appreciated being able to reconnect with myself. I felt a lot of empathy from Zeynep. I found the summaries of the sessions, the references to books, and the concrete examples very useful." — a group member "I started the meditation sessions during COVID, when I was in the middle of a very bad burnout, and I didn't want to turn my computer on in the mornings. I started pressing the 'on' button to join the morning sessions, and little by little, I started feeling better." — a group member "The session felt so good, and helped me understand why I'm not very happy with my current therapist. She hasn't been as helpful to me in the past few months as you have been in this one single session. It's possible to help someone without telling them what to do. That's what I find so helpful about your style. It was good medicine; I feel much softer now." — Ece "I love Zeynep's calm and friendly voice. She gives examples from every day life, and the chance to speak but without pressure. It's amazing how she can listen and wrap up what we said, linking it to what we are discussing." — Sara "Zeynep's meditation guidance is wonderful. I most value her calm, grace and honest sharing of gentle wisdom." — Grainne "Being an auditor, I'm usually very quick at finding weaknesses but I can't think of anything to improve with Zeynep's sessions. I value the balance between the theory and practice. I appreciate a lot what she says and how she says it. The real life examples, the fact that she doesn't say predictable sentences, and her softness as well!" — Cynthia "The lunchtime sessions give me the possibility to divert from the to-do's of the day and get a break from work stress. Zeynep's style is very positive." — Ralf "Our circle of trust, your amazing lessons that we can put in practice right away, your voice, the way you are! For me they are perfect: the timing, the length, the way you conduct them, the fact that there are topics every week, everything is great! The fact that in the 10-15 minutes of 'lecture' you manage to condense so much information and give us the most important tips in an illustrative way so that we can remember!" — Lavinia "Zeynep's reflections on each topic are short but rich, and make me always look at the topic from a different perspective. She always has thoroughly prepared and presents the topic very nicely — both from a theoretical point of view and personal experience." — Maria "You make everybody feel very comfortable, the subjects are varied, the meditations well chosen, and you lead us through them very beautifully. The sessions bring me a feeling of peace, community, and I have new experiences during meditation." — a group member "I most value how calm and wise you are, giving space to everyone. I love meditating together, connecting and supporting each other, having a routine, and learning new things." — a group member ### Groups FAQ Why join a meditation group with so many free meditation apps and content out there? For two reasons. (1) Science, tradition, and lived insight all tell us that when you go at it alone, your practice waxes and wanes. A practice group will bring true depth and consistency to your practice. (2) You will connect with others living abroad. You will feel less alone as you share with and listen to people who are curious, self-aware, multicultural, and with rich life stories. What happens in a weekly group session? Each session follows a consistent structure: a brief check-in, a short teaching on that week's topic (based on the challenges alive in the group), a guided meditation, and a check out for reflections and questions. Sessions run 75 minutes on Wednesday evenings (longer meditation and sharing), and 30 minutes at Monday/Thursday lunchtime (quick work break). You are never required to share, or turn on your camera. Do I need meditation experience to join? No. All levels are welcome, including complete beginners. In fact, learning in a group is one of the most supportive ways to begin a mindfulness practice. You have a teacher guiding every step, and a community practicing alongside you. If you have experience with mindfulness and compassion, that's great too: you'll be able to ask your specific questions to a teacher, and be inspired by the practice of others. Is this a support group or a therapy group? Neither. It is a mindfulness and compassion learning group, led by a certified expert teacher. That said, members find that it is therapeutic: the practice and the sense of community offer genuine emotional support. Many members work with a therapist simultaneously and find the two complementary. What language are sessions in? Sessions are in English. Zeynep also speaks Turkish and French. If you'd like to connect in either of those languages, you're welcome to reach out for private sessions. What if I miss a session? Monthly subscribers receive recordings of all sessions, so you won't lose your place if life gets in the way. Drop-in participants can simply join the next available session. How is this different from a meditation app? A meditation app gives you recordings. A group gives you an expert teacher who responds to what's present for you, a community of people who understand your specific context of living abroad, and the accountability that comes from showing up with others. Book a free trial session (groups): https://zeynepesin.com/offerings/weekly-mindfulness-groups --- ## Mindfulness & Compassion Coaching (Private, 1:1) One-on-one sessions online via Zoom, 60 minutes. Available in English, Turkish, and French. Free 30-minute discovery session available. Pricing: - Single Session: €100. Includes guided meditation recordings, resources (books, videos, articles) to use at home. - 6-Session Journey: €90/session (€540 total). Payment plans available. Includes guided meditation recordings and resources, email check-ins between sessions, worksheets. - 12-Session Journey: €80/session (€960 total). Payment plans available. Includes guided meditation recordings and resources, email check-ins between sessions, worksheets, a reflection from Zeynep at session 6, and free access to weekly mindfulness & compassion groups for the full duration. For people living abroad facing burnout, grief, relationship changes, career change, relocation, identity shifts, anxiety, depression. Why coaching with Zeynep: 1. Expert guidance rooted in 14 years living abroad. Certified mindfulness and compassion teacher and coach with 14 years living abroad, Zeynep has helped hundreds of people find calm and happiness in the midst of challenging lives. She knows what it's like to rebuild your life and yourself in a new country. She offers a multicultural and trauma-sensitive space, rooted in personal experience and deep professional training. In sessions, we slow down. Through guided meditation, embodied inquiry, and gentle conversation, you begin to feel more grounded, meet your experience with tenderness and openness, and tap into your own inner wisdom. She doesn't tell you what to do; she helps you find your way. 2. Bring your real life into the room. Whatever you hesitate to share in a group setting, you can confidentially share here. We use the real stories, people and circumstances of your life to build your mindfulness and self-compassion skills. We tailor the practice to your pace and unique challenges. 3. Apply what you learn in your daily life. In each session, we build your mindfulness and self-compassion skills together, and work out how to apply them to what you're actually going through. You walk away from sessions with concrete next steps, meditation recordings, conversation scripts, handouts or other resources. Over time, and with practice, you go from conceptual understanding to skills that have become second nature — applying them in hard moments whether Zeynep is there or not. How often and for how long: Real change takes time. It takes a few sessions to settle in, build trust, and begin bringing what we explore into daily life. Most clients find that a real shift happens around session 6, and that the change sticks — becomes who you are and how you move through life — around session 12. Single sessions are welcome for those who prefer to try coaching before committing to a longer journey. Sessions can be weekly, every other week, or whatever rhythm fits your life. What happens in a session: These sessions explore your chosen topic like therapy, but we spend a big chunk of the session meditating (mindfulness + self-compassion). The focus is on somatic awareness, and connecting to your inner wisdom rather than just talking. If traditional talk therapy wasn't helpful — sometimes talking increases suffering — this approach might be worth a try. If you're currently in therapy, these sessions are wonderfully complementary. Each session unfolds in response to what's present in your life. We might: - Begin with a short grounding meditation - Check in: How are you arriving today? What would you like to explore? - Explore what's arising through meditation, inquiry and conversation - Use mindfulness & compassion, somatic awareness, movement, or parts work (Internal Family Systems — a framework that helps you explore and befriend your different inner parts) as supportive - Discuss home practice: How might you apply what we discussed? How might you keep practicing? - Check out: What was supportive or challenging? What are you taking away from our time together? - End with silence, or a short practice ### Coaching Testimonials "Your greatest strength is your ability to ask questions that help people see situations differently than they did before. You often provoke me to wonder about a situation instead of judging it, and the prompts you offer are really helpful. You don't tell people what to do or think — you make it possible for them to consider new ways of thinking." — a coaching client "Since starting this mindfulness journey with you, I feel more connected to myself, more accepting, and more at peace." — a coaching client ### Coaching FAQ Do I need previous meditation experience? No. As long as you are open to trying and learning, no previous experience is necessary. In fact, these sessions are a great, guided way to start your mindfulness and compassion practice. How is mindfulness and compassion coaching different from therapy? Most forms of therapy work primarily through talking. Mindfulness and compassion coaching sessions focus on building your mindfulness and compassion skills. We slow down, tune into the present moment. I guide you on applying mindfulness and compassion to the unique challenges and content of your life, and shifting how you relate to your experiences (your thoughts, emotions, body sensations). I help connect you to your own inner wisdom. Through these sessions and continued practice outside of sessions, you begin to see a real, concrete shift in your actions and feelings in your day to day life. Mindfulness and compassion coaching can be particularly supportive if your therapist is not trained in mindfulness and compassion practices, or if traditional talk therapy wasn't helpful (sometimes talking increases suffering rather than reducing it). Mindfulness and compassion coaching and therapy are highly complementary; many clients do both simultaneously. How is mindfulness and compassion coaching different from life coaching? Life coaching tends to focus on goal-setting, accountability, and forward momentum. Mindfulness and compassion coaching works differently: we slow down, turn toward what's actually present, and use the challenges and content of your life to build your mindfulness and compassion skills. The emphasis is on how you relate to your experience (your thoughts, emotions, body sensations), rather than on external goals and action plans. That said, sessions do produce clarity and next steps. The two approaches are not opposites; mindfulness coaching simply goes deeper and focuses on specific skill-building for mindfulness and compassion. How is this different from a mindfulness app? Apps offer guided meditations. Coaching offers a relationship. In sessions, we apply mindfulness and compassion directly to the specific stories, relationships, and challenges of your life, not to generic scenarios. You have an expert coach who has lived the multicultural experience herself and understands your context without needing it explained. You walk away from sessions with concrete next steps, meditation recordings, conversation scripts, handouts or other resources. What should I bring to sessions? Feel free to bring a notebook — many people find it helpful to jot down insights or things they want to remember. You may find it supportive to be in a calm environment where you have privacy. What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)? Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic framework developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It works with the idea that we all have different inner parts, such as an inner critic or a younger burdened self. This isn't a new idea: mindfulness and Buddhist tradition point to the same concept, and my teachers speak to it directly. What IFS does is take it further, offering a structured way to become aware of these parts and approach them with curiosity and compassion. This helps you stop being the part, and rest as the bigger self, the larger awareness that holds it. In our sessions, Zeynep may gently invite you to notice and turn toward your inner parts. Book a free discovery session (coaching): https://zeynepesin.com/offerings/mindfulness-coaching --- ## Mindfulness & Compassion at Work Workshops, programs, ongoing sessions, and retreats for organizations. Delivered online or in person. Who this is for: 1. Your team is overwhelmed, scattered, and close to burnout. Work is chaotic, demanding, constantly shifting. Your team is overwhelmed or burnt out, or unable to find focus and show impact. Mindfulness, when applied in the workplace, is a powerful tool to accept constant change, deepen focus, cultivate emotional resilience, and achieve better outcomes in a more sustainable way. Mindfulness helps us get things done and feel balanced. 2. Your team is struggling with disconnection and communication in a multicultural landscape. In multicultural, remote, or hybrid teams, communication breaks down easily. This is often exacerbated by diverse communication styles and cultural nuances. Conflict is brewing, and people stop enjoying working together. Mindfulness helps build team cohesion and collaboration, creating the foundation for a supportive team culture. Mindful communication supports teams to accept that conflict is natural and human, speak with care, listen deeply, and build trust and psychological safety. 3. You need programs that are practical, inclusive, and backed by research. You've sat through too many abstract wellness sessions that didn't land. Mindfulness is practical, inclusive and backed by research. Your teams can start applying it right away, no matter their role and background, and with consistent practice, find that they can be both effective and happy at work. Common session topics: Managing Work Stress & Cultivating Resilience: Identifying common stressors at work and noticing how they impact the body and mind; learning to pause and respond mindfully rather than react impulsively; emotional regulation and expanding the window of tolerance; grounding practices (breath, body awareness, imagery, and connection); taking short mindful breaks to reset stress levels; cultivating self-compassion in high-pressure moments. Self-Care & Burnout Prevention: Understanding the difference between good stress and bad stress; recognizing early signs of burnout before they escalate; practicing mindful energy management — balancing effort and rest; building internal and external resources for self-nourishment; setting healthy boundaries at work; practicing mindful detachment — letting go of over-identification with your role. Resolving Conflict & Building Healthy Work Relationships: Cultivating empathy and perspective-taking; mindful communication of observations, feelings, needs, requests; cultivating compassion for self and others; cultivating equanimity; managing strong emotions during conflict without shutting down; repairing relationships and rebuilding trust after conflict. Deepening Focus & Attention in an Overloaded Workplace: Practicing single-tasking and building concentration; attention training and increased productivity; reducing and managing digital distractions; finding and prioritizing what truly matters; managing cognitive overload in information-heavy environments; finding flow — creating states of deep work and creativity. Finding Meaning & Joy at Work: Cultivating gratitude — noticing and appreciating positive moments to balance out the negativity bias; "taking in the good" — the neuroscience of cultivating positive traits out of positive states; celebrating small wins and focusing on progress over perfection; work-life integration; finding purpose at work; rediscovering playfulness and creativity; cultivating workplace happiness. Formats: - Weekly sessions: mindfulness sessions at a frequency and duration of your choice (30 or 60 min); groups of 8–15 for optimal learning, or larger groups; flexibility to commit to a number of sessions or drop in. - Workshops and daylongs: introduce mindfulness and spike interest, or cover a specific topic; duration from one hour to a full day. - Retreats. - 1:1 sessions: private coaching for leaders, focusing on their personal development and unique challenges; meeting weekly, every other week, or monthly. Past clients include: European Court of Auditors (ECA) Wellbeing Week (June 2024). ### At Work Testimonials "I really appreciated Zeynep's kind and calm personality, and the harmony that created in our group. I am grateful for these years together. Meditation was something completely new, and a great surprise." — Raffaela "Zeynep gives a solid background (from experts & science) in small pills. We practice in clear structure. She is open to questions and interaction without forcing anybody." — Jesus "I am more positive and I control my emotions better." — Jesus "Zeynep has true calm, solid advice. The meditation sessions force me to stop and relax. Plus they provide hints to act afterwards." — Jesus "Thanks to you, I see a big impact — I am very different than before! I really appreciated your voice, tone, rhythm, your in depth knowledge, and high level documentation. Zeynep's style is very supportive, an excellent communication style. My deepest thanks for your work and dedication." — André "I love EVERYTHING about our sessions. Perfect duration, great teacher, amazing lessons! I love that we learn things, not only meditate. Best meditation teacher ever. THANK YOU!!!!" — Lavinia "Thanks to these sessions I am much more positive towards my work and life. I will continue practicing with you because I really like your style — we don't only meditate, we learn something new each time!" — Lavinia "I most appreciated Zeynep's kindness, compassion, talent of listening, support, and calm voice. Zeynep was always there to listen, very open, supportive and engaging. We were very lucky to have her with us! All staff that participated in the sessions appreciated her work very much!" — a group member Contact for corporate work: https://zeynepesin.com/contact-me --- ## Free Resources (zeynepesin.com/resources) - Guidelines for Mindful and Multicultural Dialogue - Scientific Research on Mindfulness & Compassion - The Origins of Mindfulness - The Foundational Attitudes of Mindfulness - Tips for Building Your Home Practice - Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Process - NVC Needs Inventory - NVC Feelings Inventory - List of Body Sensations - Stress, Brain, and Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness ## Mindfulness & Compassion: Key Facts Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of what is present — thoughts, emotions, body sensations — with kindness and without judgement. Compassion practices extend this awareness to include care for oneself and others. Hundreds of scientific studies show mindfulness and compassion: - Decreases symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain - Improves sleep, focus, and memory - Slows cellular aging - Reduces use of abusive substances ## Contact and Links Website: https://zeynepesin.com Email: hi@zeynepesin.com Instagram: @zeyesin Newsletter: Tiny Purple Flowers (Substack) — free mindfulness and compassion teachings, scientific findings, personal reflections, and announcements Guided meditations: Insight Timer (search Zeynep Esin)