Integrative Mind-Body Support:
Meditation and Compassion in Los Angeles
Cultivating Resilience Through Meditation and Compassion
Written by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl. — Licensed California Acupuncturist and Founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture. Practicing since 2014.
Beyond the needle, lasting wellness often requires the active cultivation of the mind. Integrative Mind-Body Support is an adjunctive service for existing patients that combines meditation instruction with compassion-based practices drawn from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The approach is grounded in what His Holiness calls "secular ethics": universal human values like compassion, kindness, and mental discipline that require no religious framework to practice or benefit from (Dalai Lama, 2011).
"The mind is like a parachute. It works best when it is open."
— His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Personalized GuidanceWhat Is Integrative Mind-Body Support?
These sessions offer personalized guidance in meditation and compassion cultivation. Whether someone is completely new to meditation or looking to deepen an existing practice, sessions provide instruction, refinement, and practical strategies for daily life.
The approach draws from the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasizes systematic training of the mind through analytical meditation, focused attention, and cultivation of beneficial mental states. Central to this tradition is the understanding that genuine happiness arises from the quality of the mind itself.
This is not therapy, though it can be therapeutic. The focus is on building skills and cultivating positive mental habits rather than processing past experiences.
Core Elements
Analytical meditation techniques
Focused attention training
Compassion cultivation practices
Practical daily life strategies
What Happens in a Session?
For those new to meditation
Basic instruction in posture, breath, and settling the mind; guided practice; discussion of common obstacles; and simple practices for home.
For those with existing practice
Refinement of technique, introduction to analytical meditation and compassion practices, troubleshooting challenges, and guidance on integration into daily routines.
Extended sessions
Allow additional time for deeper conversation and strategizing around specific challenges such as stress, sleep difficulties, or managing difficult emotions.
Sessions are conversational and experiential. No special preparation is required; just wear comfortable clothing.
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
— His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Compassion as the Path to Well-Being
Research confirms what contemplative traditions have taught for centuries: training the mind in compassion reduces stress, improves emotional regulation, and increases life satisfaction (Neff & Germer, 2013; Fredrickson et al., 2008).
Many people struggle with harsh self-criticism, a pattern that maintains chronic stress. Compassion training offers an alternative: learning to meet one's own difficulties with kindness rather than judgment (Neff, 2011).
"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."
— His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Who Is This For?
This service is available to existing patients of Golden Mean Acupuncture.
Sessions may be particularly helpful for those:
Curious about meditation but unsure how to begin
Struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional reactivity
Dealing with chronic pain and interested in how the mind influences the experience of pain
Seeking calm amidst LA's high-pressure creative, entertainment, or tech industries
Wanting accessible, practical instruction rooted in contemplative tradition
Personalized Assessment
Nutritional guidance begins with comprehensive assessment of unique constitution, current health challenges, and goals. Sustainable change happens incrementally rather than overhauling everything overnight.
Session Options and Pricing
Standard Session
30 minutes
$65
Focused instruction and guided practice.
Extended Session
50 minutes
$110
Additional time for deeper conversation and integration strategies.
Group Sessions available upon inquiry for couples, families, or small groups.
Financial Assistance: Fees cover the time and sustainability of offering this service. Financial assistance is available for existing patients experiencing hardship; no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions."
— His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Location
Golden Mean Acupuncture is located near Dodger Stadium in Angelino Heights, serving Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and East Hollywood.
About Your Practitioner
Integrative Mind-Body Support sessions are offered exclusively by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl., founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture.
Shaun has been a licensed California acupuncturist since 2014 and a dedicated meditation practitioner since 2010, studying in the Gelug tradition following the guidelines of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He has completed master's courses through the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) and traveled extensively through India to study with His Holiness and many of the world's foremost Buddhist teachers. He characterizes his study of Chinese medicine as the vehicle that "gave me tools to explore the relationship between how we experience the world and the way we feel."
Ready to Begin?
For existing patients interested in exploring mind-body support, this can be discussed during any acupuncture visit.
This service supports overall well-being and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. Those experiencing significant psychological distress should consult a licensed mental health professional.
Page last updated: February 2026