According to Harvard University news: “In recent decades, public interest in mindfulness meditation has soared.”
Folks walking by the Willingdon Beach area recently on late Sunday mornings may be surprised at what they see.
Since May, longtime meditator Lisa Shatzky has been hosting a free, non-registered, silent meditation group twice monthly, and so far between 30 and 60 people have shown up each time.
“Having a group get together once in a while to meditate together and hold space with others, there is an energy to that,” said Shatzky. “I meditate daily, but meditating with others, there is a community feel to it.”
Shatzky studied under renowned Buddhist monk, scholar and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced: tick-nat-han) at Plum Village retreat in the south of France. The monk, who was born in Vietnam but forced to flee during the Vietnam War, founded the Engaged Buddhist Movement. He said when he was alive that, “meditation is not to escape from society, but to come back to ourselves and see what is going on.”
Shatzky starts the practice with a guided visualization then moves into silence.
“What I particularly like [about Thich Nhat Hanh’s approach] is the integration of meditation with everyday life,” she said.
Shatzky doesn’t believe meditation has to be solitary or difficult, but a place where one’s mind can focus on the here and now. Some examples, she said, could be washing the dishes, doing the laundry or waiting in a lineup.
“How do we bring presence and awareness to everyday life?” Shatzky added.
Before starting the meditation gathering in Powell River, Shatzky facilitated groups on Bowen Island and in Tofino, sometimes meeting all year round.
She learned another strategy from the Buddhist master.
“If you can remember five moments each day and write them down, at the end of the week you have 35 moments,” said Shatzky. “Meditation changes how we live; it’s about bringing availability to the here and now as opposed to living a life caught in the past or anxious about the future.”
But she also emphasized that the practice is not about doing less or never making a plan; it’s a technique that humans can use to not miss out on daily life.
“Finding a community of people who also meditate is a great way to get started,” said Shatzky. “Start with your breath. As I breathe in, I’m aware of breathing in, as I breathe out, I’m aware of breathing out.”
The meditation group has attracted newbies as well as regular meditators.
“I had people comment last time that they felt it was a good way to carry on with the week ahead,” said Shatzky.
The next meditation sitting is Sunday, July 9, 11 am at Willingdon Beach.
