Winter this year has given me ample reflection time to observe how learning and practicing mindfulness, meditation, and the principles of MBSR have brought me closer to my journey for peace inside and out. I want to share some of what I found out about myself. I am more patient. My reactivity has significantly diminished.Continue reading “Peace of Mind-fulness”
Author Archives: Jane Meryll
Freedom
What, you ask, does mindfulness have to do with freedom? My answer: everything. When we practice mindfulness meditation, we are learning tools for freedom from reactivity, anxiety, and an over-stimulated nervous system. We access our calmness from the stillness in the present moment and release from the loop of lizard brain. We learn to sitContinue reading “Freedom”
Prayer for Mindfulness
My foray into 2026 began with loss; three dear friends since October. I’ve felt the need for less activity, less noise and kindness. For me that led to more time on the cushion. I realized that the world-wide hunger for more inner stillness is a response to the aggressive impolite things the 21st century hasContinue reading “Prayer for Mindfulness”
Meditate:Medicate
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”
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”