On September 30, the president of CIS University, María Díaz de la Cebosa, introduced the famous actress, model and granddaughter of Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway, Mariel Hemingway. This conference officially kicked off the 2024/2025 academic year.
Mariel began her presentation by inviting the audience to participate in a mindfulness exercise, asking them to close their eyes, visualize an inner light and practice conscious breathing. This technique, used to deal with the anxiety of modern life, served as an opening to a dialogue about emotional and mental well-being, with a special emphasis on the young students present.
The well-known actress, who comes from a family marked by tragedy due to mental health struggles, spoke openly about the challenges she and her loved ones faced. “My grandfather, Ernest, took his own life at the age of 61, and together with my sister Margaux, there are seven cases of suicide in my family. It’s what we call the Hemingway curse at home,” she recalled.
A message of hope for young people
During the conference, she shared her own story and that of her family, stressing the importance of demystifying and lending visibility to mental health while avoiding social stigmas. To this end, she showed attendees an honest and personal view of her battles and triumphs, with numerous ups and downs, until she ultimately reached a state of mental tranquility.
Mariel Hemingway stressed the importance of openly talking about emotional health, offering hope and understanding by creating safe spaces where people can share their experiences without fear. -My story is not new. I’m not that special. It’s the story that repeats itself day in and day out with all those who struggle silently with their anxiety.”
A turning point: her meeting with the Dalai Lama
A pivotal moment in the actress’ life was her meeting with the Dalai Lama, which she described as a transformative experience. “He is a person who listens to you with all five senses. He makes you feel that there is nothing more important than you. He just told me, ‘You’re fine.’ I had lived my whole life in fear of carrying the Hemingway curse, and those words saved me.”
From that point on, she began to explore more nature-related methods of wellness, focusing on what she calls “the Seven Doctors,” which are available to everyone: sun, air, food, exercise, earth, water and rest.
However, Hemingway clarified that her recommendations are not a substitute for professional medical treatment. “I’m not saying that a person with bipolar disorder should not take their medication,” she explained, ”what I want to point out is that the way you live affects your brain.
In concluding her speech, the actress urged the audience to remember the simple but powerful words of the Tibetan leader that changed her life: “You are all ok,” a hopeful message that even in times of difficulty, serenity and peace of mind is within reach for all of us.