Mayra Clay, 51, a meditation teacher based in London, describes herself as a 'modern-day monk' and meditates daily. She wants to 'open people's minds' to contemporary monastic life, which does not involve 'sitting in a cave for hours'.
Childhood challenges
Born and raised in Mexico in a Catholic household, Mayra is the third of four children. Despite having material comforts, she felt lonely due to tension between her parents. Their divorce when she was 10 was one of her 'happiest' moments, as it reduced chaos in her life.
These early experiences led to feelings of 'insecurity and a lack of self-worth', which affected her relationship with her now-husband Marc. However, a meditation course transformed her life, guiding her toward inner peace.
Meeting her husband and discovering meditation
While studying at university, Mayra visited her sister in Milan and met Marc, a designer. After graduating, they moved to Milan. Mayra began questioning her faith, realizing 'God is inside me, not outside'.
Her relationship with Marc was strained due to her insecurities. Her mother insisted she try a meditation course in Mexico. Reluctantly, Mayra attended The Bright Path Ishayas course and felt 'something had switched inside me'. The techniques based on love, compassion, gratitude, and appreciation helped her relax and feel emotions freely.
Becoming meditation teachers
After seeing the positive change, Marc also enrolled. The couple moved to London in 2009 and, after their first son's birth, decided to help others find peace. They completed the Bright Path Mastery course in Spain, becoming qualified meditation teachers.
Mayra now meditates several times daily, totaling many hours. She emphasizes that modern monastic life is about being present and interacting with reality, not isolation.
Writing a children's book
Working at a nursery school inspired Mayra to write a children's book, The Boy and The Pink Light, illustrated by her friend Line Anderson. It uses the ancient 'pink light' technique to help children understand feelings. The story follows a joyful boy who meets a radiant pink light that helps him navigate sadness.
Mayra hopes the book helps children and parents alike. It also helped heal her relationship with her father, and she now enjoys an 'amazing relationship' with her parents.
Transformed life
Mayra feels meditation has made her 'more grounded' and able to see life differently. She says, 'It has helped me become more grounded and see life with different eyes... I am the best version of myself rather than repeating old chaotic family patterns.'
She is grateful for the book's warm reception and hopes others discover meditation's benefits. 'I never thought meditation would change my life this much,' she said. 'If this book even changed one life, that's all that matters.'
