Gaby Contreras

Born and raised in Venezuela, while quietly playing the part laid out for her, for years she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Painfully shy and insecure, she studied architecture, married too young, and divorced too fast. In 1996, about to move to the US for a new job, the timing seemed perfect to gift herself the present of a trip to India. Little did she know that this four-week trip, which turned into a six-month experience, would completely change her life. She was struck by the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and attended her first 10-day Goenka meditation retreat. Since then, she's been unwaveringly committed to her practice and continuous learning. She's attended at least one retreat a year and has served in many more. She completed the first MMTCP Mindfulness Teacher Training Certification cohort with Tara Barch and Jack Kornfield in 2019 and the Positive Neuroplasticity teacher trainer with Dr. Rick Hanson in 2022. She has also completed in-depth non-violent communication studies and several courses in Buddhist studies.   In 2020, she co-founded Mindfulnest with a deep-seated intention to share these Awareness—and compassion-based practices with others and help people develop their inner mentors so they can learn to meet their vulnerabilities with kindness, embrace change with a calm mind and an open heart, and live their best lives fully.

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