During the silent meditations the facilitator stays silent so as not to interfere with each person's process. During these times the facilitator will carry out the obligations of keeping awareness of the door, mindful of who is coming and going to ensure anyone in the space is there to meditate so as not to disturb those practicing. The facilitator will softly ring the bell at thirty or sixty minute intervals depending on the schedule of the day to help meditators keep track of time and to help notice if they have drifted off track with their meditation sit. During the silent meditation times we welcome those joining us to come in quietly and leave quietly as they need to do.
During your time at Reflections Meditation we ask that you turn off the sound on your phones and leave your shoes in the entryway, there are shoe racks to use under the window. We also have baskets that may be used for personal items under the plant case, you can easily see the baskets from the meditation cushions, it helps to keep the space clear and less cluttered feeling for other meditators to use the baskets. Feel free to use a blanket or wrap from the shelves under the donation station, mats are also available if lying down meditation is your need for the day and you may help yourself to a cup of hot tea located at the back of the hall.
The act of giving and receiving from the heart is a very important tradition that we here at Reflections Meditation find to be an illuminating part of meditation practice.
We keep the utilities paid for by donations made with the generosity of those who find this space to be of benefit to their life and meditation practice.
We understand there will be times when things are harder and times when it is easier to help with a donation. When it feels appropriate to your life situation and practice, we ask that you help and leave a donation.
Thank you, may your day be filled with ease and light!
Reflections Meditation is here to offer an alternative to your chaotic day, whether you are an experienced meditator or just starting on a journey of self discovery, we welcome you to join us!
As life gets stressful we need opportunities to let the stress go and find our center. Some people meditate as a way to bring calm to their minds and bodies and some meditate to learn what is at the foundation of their thoughts, commonly known as mindfulness meditation.
At Reflections Meditation we understand there are different needs and we hold sacred this intention of offering a place where people of different meditation backgrounds will feel welcome to come and continue their personal journey of what meditation is for them.
We have learned over the years that meditation practice has many ways in which it can be carried out, on your own, in nature and in a group setting with other meditators are the most common ways of carrying out your meditation journey.
There is an undeniable energy difference when you join a group of people meditating than when you meditate on your own. Both are important practices, however, finding a group of meditators to join is not easy and this is why we are here. We recommend you make it a regular part of your schedule to come join the group, how that fits into your schedule is up to you but it helps you to be accountable to your meditation practice if you commit to some kind of schedule. It's so easy to be at home, try to meditate and then something needs your attention and pulls you away from your practice. Which is why we find it very helpful to have a place to go away from home and responsibilities, a time carved out specifically to meditate and be supported in this endeavor by others also using the meditation space.
I have been meditating for fifteen years, I learned under the Theravada Buddhist tradition of Vipassana meditation. Vipassana means to see things as they are and is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. I had studied the Buddha's teachings during those fifteen years as well, and have integrated the teachings and mindfulness meditation into my life.
I facilitated mindfulness meditation groups for five years at two different men's prisons teaching to inmates, it was a rich and fulfilling experience. Since then, I have held it in my heart to continue to find ways to hold space and guidance for communities who wish for meditation support. I also helped facilitate mindfulness groups within the Buddhist sangha that I practiced with regularly.
I credit my years of mindfulness practice as the cornerstone to keep me strong and compassionate as I navigated some very difficult life situations. Vipassana meditation has been an important practice that guided me to living life with a balance of humility, curiosity and compassion for all beings who just wish to be happy.
As I remember how it was my meditation practice that gave me the tools to move through my personal trauma of my husband's illness and death. I realize there is more of a need than ever for people to learn the art of meditation as a way to heal our collective trauma from the recent pandemic and the many abrupt changes it brought to our lives and communities.
