Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. From Desiderata, A Survival Guide for Life, a poem by Max Ehrmann We’re making our final descent into the darkest part of winter. The season of twinkling lights, hibernation, stillness. silence, festivities and renewal. Because there is aContinue reading “Meditate:Medicate”
Author Archives: Jane Meryll
Giving Thanks
If you want to have loving feelings, do loving things. If you want to feel happy, compliment people. Anne Lamott, American author, writing teacher I loved Anne Lamott from the moment I read Bird By Bird her book I adore about writing. She’s a survivor, a twelve stepper, and spiritual seeker with a wicked senseContinue reading “Giving Thanks”
Slowing Down
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” – Lily Tomlin, actress As “The Season” creeps up on us, I decided to revisit old newsletters from this time of year. I love the Lily quote I used in 2022. It seems even more mindfully relevant this November. And I don’t know about you but just thinking ofContinue reading “Slowing Down”
If You Don’t Use It You Lose It
Nothing will work unless you do. Maya Angelou, author, poet, performer, activist Let’s face it, it’s a challenge to commit ourselves to practicing meditation every day. But if I told you your life depended on it, would you do it? Right now, tenth month of the year 2025, I think it’s really true. Our livesContinue reading “If You Don’t Use It You Lose It”
Listening With Stillness
You should not have your idea when you listen to someone . . . Then you will understand what they say. Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Buddhist monk, author Zen Mind Beginners Mind When I read this quote, I immediately smiled and took a deep breath. I’ve been practicing for many years and still working on theContinue reading “Listening With Stillness”
Stillness and Silence
It is as important to cultivate your silence power as it is your word power. William James, psychologist, philosopher, writer Autumn is both the start of some things and the ends of others: holidays and harvest for some, the brilliant color of leaves and transition to less light for others. Each new year for manyContinue reading “Stillness and Silence”
Expectations
One of the reasons we think we want to meditate is to be less stressed. But I’m noticing that like so many other things we do in our lives, we make it a must. Then it’s just another should. When we notice the shoulda, woulda, coulda’s, it’s time to take a stillness pause. Look forContinue reading “Expectations”
Colors
A genuinely happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery of a detour. Tara Brach, spiritual teacher, psychologist, author When we look for joy, it’s hard to find. Joy is made up of all the … colors that exist. Joy is when we’re willing to surrender to all our experiences and all our emotions.Continue reading “Colors”
August Riffing
In the jazz world musicians use the word riffing to describe a kind of improvising. The technique is also used by poets, dancers, painters, authors, composers, comedians, politicians, actors, and even trial lawyers, in any context when improvising or riffing serves a desired result. I am sure you can think of situations you’ve been inContinue reading “August Riffing”
Heartfulness, Heartspace, Heartmind
When we speak of mindfulness, it is important to keep in mind that we equally mean heartfulness. Full Catastrphe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn Each of us can learn the art of nourishing happiness and love. How To Love by Thich Nhat Hanh What do we need most right now? For one thing, a little moreContinue reading “Heartfulness, Heartspace, Heartmind”