About me
Welcome! My name is Mathijs Verwulgen, and in 2026 I founded Eastern Wisdom with a clear mission: to introduce as many people as possible to the ancient wisdom of Eastern philosophies such as Hinduism, Buddhism and jainism.
These traditions are often mistakenly seen as religions, when in reality they are philosophies of life rich in practical knowledge and techniques. They provide us with tools to live happier, more meaningful lives. Although the world around us is changing rapidly, our need as human beings remains the same: a life that gives us inner balance, gives fulfillment and in which we feel connected to ourselves and what is really important to us.
At Eastern Wisdom, my goal is to share these valuable lessons and insights in an accessible way, without having to spend hours meditating in a monastery or studying sacred texts for years. I believe that everyone, regardless of background or experience, can benefit from this practical and timeless wisdom.
The lotus symbolizes the Buddhist idea "from the muddy waters arises a white lotus." In many Buddhist traditions, the lotus grows in muddy water, which represents the challenges and impurities of earthly life. Yet, the flower blooms pure and untouched, reminding us of its ability to achieve inner peace and enlightenment, despite the obstacles of everyday life.
My Story:
From an early age, I was deeply attracted to the East. The warm colors, the smell of incense, singing bowls and mysterious Indian figurines appealed to my imagination. Everything felt magical, as if it carried a hidden wisdom within it. When I had to write an essay about a famous person in elementary school, I chose the Dalai Lama of all people – a choice that surprised my mother, since I was raised Christian. How did I come up with that idea? No idea, but it felt like I already had a connection. A few months later, a Buddha statue came into my bedroom. Since then, the statue has always stayed with me. It is on my altar today, and every time I look at it, I experience a deep peace.
But my real journey didn't start until years later.
During my youth I went through a difficult period. It made me feel not good enough. When I finally changed schools, I was determined to show what I was worth. I competed with myself and decided that I would be successful. "I'm going to be a multimillionaire," I thought, "and the world will see what I'm worth." My quest for success took me to books such as Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, seminars such as the Millionaire Mind Intensive, and the world of money and ambition. However, I slowly but surely drifted away from my pure essence.
During my higher studies, I started my first business. After my studies, I sold that company and traveled mainly through Asia. When I returned, I started a new company with two partners, and my ego grew along nicely. I saw myself as the great successful businessman!
But then came the blow...
After months of crossing my limits, I completely collapsed. It started with an acute throat swelling for which I had to be operated on immediately. Shortly afterwards an operation followed to remove my tonsils. The same month, my pancreas also stopped working, and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an irreversible disease. My body stopped, and I was also completely grounded mentally.
I left my business, lost my income and had to go back to live with my parents. My relationship ended a few months later. I felt completely broken mentally, physically and emotionally. My image of the successful businessman was shattered and I didn't know who I was at all. There seemed to be no end to this dark period.
But as my Zen master said years later: "Through the cracks, the light shines."
At a low point, lying in my old bedroom, my mind became darker and darker, I could no longer handle the negative thought patterns. I just sat down on the floor and focused on the here and now. It was the only thing I could do..... The peace gradually returned and one thing leads to another...
Through an Aikido teacher I came into contact with Zazen, a Japanese meditation technique and a few weeks later I was in a Buddhist Zen monastery. Life is wonderful, isn't it?
The East found me again.
From that moment on, I immersed myself in meditation techniques, Eastern philosophies such as Advaita Vedanta, Mahayana Buddhism and the Bhagavad Gita.
In 2024, during a deep meditation and a long search for my mission, everything became clear: I want to share this ancient knowledge in a simple, applicable way.
As the Buddha said 2500 years ago: "Ignorance is the root cause of all suffering."
With Eastern Wisdom I bring these ancient wisdoms to people who, like me, are looking for inner peace, balance and a deeper meaning in their lives. My mission is clear: to make the world a little brighter by making these timeless wisdoms accessible.