Discover the Transformational Benefits of Mind Mapping—And Why You Need to Try It

Mind Mapping is a customized system that helps to organize and strengthen one’s mind and life. [Photo courtesy of Janalyn Rose]

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience a mind mapping session and let me tell you, my mind was blown. Working in the wellness industry, I’ve experienced a wide variety of things from chakra balancing to sound baths, but mind mapping was completely brand-new (and exciting) to me.

Mind mapping is a visual tool that helps organize and map out one’s thoughts in order to help remove distractions, stress, and worry, while creating solutions and tangible goals. In other words, it’s like letting Marie Kondo inside your head—or performing Feng Shui on the mind. It makes perfect sense—we clean our homes and work spaces, but when it comes to our minds, which are filled with infinite thoughts and memories, we don’t practice any form of housekeeping (and we could all use it from time to time!)

I stumbled onto Mind Mapping when I met wellness expert and healer Anthony Espanet at a recent event at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona, California where he and astrologer Marsha Pacificar were performing a sound bath. After connecting at the event, he invited me to come experience a mind mapping session for myself in order to truly witness its transformational benefits—and I’m really glad that I did.

Spa Profile: Glen Ivy Hot Springs

According to Espanet, mind mapping benefits include solutions for any area of life, efficiency in manifesting needs and desires, removing mental and emotional blocks, better-quality relationships, human connection, and practicing self-care as an art form.

“Organization of the mind provides us the space to see our true beauty within, connect with our emotions, deepen our relationships, feel lighter and motivated—all to accomplish our highest potential of both happiness and greatness,” he says. “Mind Mapping has been a culmination of self-growth practice since 2012 using principles of Zen, chakras, astrology, and life to help me better organize my own personal life and create better solutions.”

My mind mapping session with wellness expert and healer Anthony Espanet.

Some background info on Espanet: in addition to working as a private wellness advisor, he is also a Crystal Tones Sound Bowl practitioner, is reiki Certified, and he spent four years in a monastery where he formally practiced Zen monastic life. More about him and Pacificar here.

When asked how he got into mind mapping, Espanet shared, “Around 2012 or 2013, I picked up a book on the chakras and another book called Awakening the Buddha Within. Simultaneously, I took a three-month yoga program to learn deeper. After, I spent the next four years practicing Chan Meditation formally at several monasteries around the country, all the way to Taiwan. As I practiced, I kept coming up with solutions to help others live better and thrive. Since then I helped one person at a time and have performed more than 500 sessions now, as I’ve stopped counting.”

Espanet outlines the general steps for mind mapping:

• Step 1. Ask the right questions

• Step 2. Listen

• Step 3. Organize thoughts

• Step 4. Provide clarity

• Step 5. Create a map of solutions

• Step 6. Enjoy the results

• Step 7. Maintain

Upon arriving for my mind mapping session, Espanet greeted me with a notebook and pen in hand. We sat down in the garden and it was time for the mind organization to begin! Throughout his years of practicing mind mapping for clients, Espanet has created a list of customized questions that he asks during the session, which range from the people that inspire one most in life to how confident they feel about themself. As he went down the list, I answered “yes” or “no” and then we discussed each one in greater depth, including why I gave specific responses.

We also discussed my personal and professional goals, what I am doing to achieve them, and what obstacles I feel are in the way. Even though I walk around every day with my goals in my mind, there’s something about putting them to paper that makes them feel even more real and attainable. What’s more, Espanet proposed ideas and solutions to the various concerns and issues I shared with him, and throughout the session numerous light bulbs went off for both of us—turning the experience into a creative brainstorm!

A closer look at what mind mapping looks like on paper—it will vary according to the individual.

Espanet took detailed notes through the session, which he later emailed to me so that I could refer to them anytime and be reminded of the various points we discussed, along with the proposed solutions and ideas. My session lasted about an hour, although Espanet said that some sessions can last as long as two hours, depending on the needs of the client.

Our session concluded with a simple breathing exercise accompanied by a relaxing sound meditation. Afterwards, I felt much lighter and clearer. Unlike a therapy session, which focuses on mostly negative things and consists of one person doing all the talking, this was an interactive experience where Espanet gave ideas and helped me target specific solutions to improve my life, while at the same time offering encouragement and support. He did plenty of listening, I did plenty of talking, and I left feeling even more confident and ready to take on the world.

Curious as to whether mind mapping is something that you could benefit from? Espanet said, “Anyone struggling with self-doubt, confusion, lack of direction or purpose, to CEOs and people in a deep practice who are looking for more support, and anyone that feels self-care and wellness are the foundation to the best-quality life experience. It’s also for anyone that sees life as an opportunity to design every moment in the most beautiful and nourishing form.”

Mind mapping can be performed as frequently as once a week or once a month—it all depends on the individual client’s needs. Espanet also offers phone sessions for clients who live far away or don’t have the time for an in-person session. He is based in Rancho Cucamonga, California but does travel to clients as well.

Today’s session concluded with a simple breathing exercise accompanied by a relaxing sound meditation.

“My ultimate goal is to make solutions of self care and wellness mainstream for everyone to live better quality lives,” says Espanet. “We all need deeper, slower breath and organic fresh-pressed green juice. My work and connections are about teaming up with those with the same desire. Mind mapping is a life-long practice, where when ready those whom I work with become their own life designers and ultimately help everyone around them by being their brightest self.”

To schedule a mind mapping session with Espanet, you can text him at 310-463-7742. Text or email now and receive a private free live meditation call with Espanet. For more information, head to the website and follow him on Instagram: @anthonyespanet

[Photos by Kamala Kirk]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk