What happens when we strip away the pristine, idealized image of meditation and bring it into the places where human suffering is most acute? In this episode of The Wisdom of Jacob's Ladder, Jacob sits down with mindfulness teacher and author Oneika Mays to discuss her transformative new book, "Sit With Me".
Oneika shares her deeply moving personal story of navigating life-altering tragedy and how her path led her to teach lovingkindness (metta) inside Rikers Island Correctional Facility.
Together, they explore the intersection of social justice and spiritual practice, disrupting the commercialized "wellness" industry to reveal a gritty, compassionate, and accessible path to healing. This conversation is a powerful reminder that mindfulness is not about escaping our lives, but about having the courage to show up exactly as we are.
About Oneika Mays
After a personal tragedy left her emotionally adrift, Oneika Mays quit her life in retail leadership to serve people at Rikers Island — and found herself. She is the author of Sit With Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne, March 2026) and has spent over a decade bringing wellness practices to people and communities who have felt left out, judged, and alone.
Learn more at https://www.oneikamays.com.
Where to find Jacob -
Website: https://jacoblcooper.com
Instagram: Jacobcooperlcsw
Tiktok: Jacobcooperlcsw
Facebook:Jacobcooperlcsw
Books-
“Life After Breath”
https://amzn.to/3nLQ64R
“The Wisdom of Jacob’s Ladder”
https://amzn.to/3VvckeZ
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