About Ahmed Hallajian

Ahmed Hallajian is a London-born writer and creative producer currently working in the entertainment industry. After graduating from the London School of Economics, Ahmed began a career in auditing at the National Audit Office, but quickly realized the path wasn’t for him. He pivoted into self-development content on YouTube, then into software engineering, landing a job at Amazon. Yet something still felt misaligned. In 2024, he learned Vedic Meditation — a turning point that helped clarify what truly mattered. Today, Ahmed channels his curiosity and creativity into storytelling, while continuing to explore the evolving nature of self, purpose, and personal clarity.

Key Topics Covered

Why Ahmed kept changing careers — and what he was really searching for

The surprising influence of Seinfeld and celebrity on his openness to meditation

How Vedic Meditation helped relieve a low-grade fog he hadn’t even recognized

The difference between coping and clarity, and what changed after learning

Letting go of tech and finding a more aligned, people-focused path

How meditation shifted his phone habits, screen time, and social energy

The challenge of keeping up meditation while traveling with non-meditators

A modern take on spirituality and how Ahmed talks about meditation with friends

Notable Quotes

💬 “There was life before and life after. I’m still adjusting to what my preferences are — what kind of person I am.”

💬 “I always had a sense of what I didn’t want. Meditation gave me clarity about what I do want.”

💬 “It didn’t feel like me changing habits. It just happened — like a signal I could finally hear.”

💬 “Meditation doesn’t make you wise. It just helps you notice what actually matters.”

💬 “I’m not better than anyone, but I’m more in touch with what brings me joy.”

Timestamps

00:03 — Introducing Ahmed Hallajian and his unconventional career journey

03:20 — Growing up with Seinfeld and early influences toward meditation

06:40 — Struggling at work and the turning point that led to learning

10:45 — The experience of learning to meditate and immediate after-effects

14:30 — From anxious stagnation to clarity and mental lightness

17:20 — Changing his relationship with tech, screen time, and presence

20:00 — How others noticed the change before he did

24:10 — Leaving Amazon and shifting into a more social, creative career

28:30 — Rethinking introversion and discovering his true work preferences

32:00 — Staying consistent with meditation while traveling

36:15 — How he speaks about meditation with friends and why he doesn’t evangelize

39:00 — Practical vs. spiritual benefits — and what keeps him inspired

Links and Resources

London Meditation Centre — Learn Vedic Meditation

-----

Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae.

Original music by Rich Jacques.
https://www.richjacques.com

Graphics by Elle and Elle.
http://www.elleelle.com

Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired?