Tag Archives: Lynn J Kelly

Is It Harder to Practice Alone?

Attended a three-day retreat last weekend and enjoyed the meditation practices with some 80 people attending. Collective energy, collective mindfulness is a palpable reality.

Below Lynn J Kelly elaborates on what a retreat might do for each of us depending upon where we are on the path.

How ’bout you? Are retreats helpful for your practice?

Pain Management & Mindfulness

A couple of years ago, I became deaf in one ear. It was bizarre and lasted for six weeks before improvement began. With the help of modern medicine and mindfulness I fully regained my hearing.

The procedure that led to improvement involved shots into my ear which required me not to twitch or move in any way as the needle was inserted. I did not look forward to the weekly shots, but I knew I needed to endure them in order to have any hope of my hearing returning to normal.

I share this, fortunately temporary, condition because mindfulness helped me enter the doctor’s office and accept the procedure that was coming. Through breath awareness and recalling the Five Remembrances, I was able to still my body and accept the medical procedure.

Below is a link to Lynn J Kelly’s blog where she shares what she has learned about pain management and mindfulness. I think you’ll find it interesting.

Walking Meditation ala Thich Nhat Hanh

Lynn J Kelly shares her appreciation for mindful walking and the guidance offered by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in her blog post linked below. I have also found this practice especially helpful in times of high stress or overwhelming feelings. Moving slowly can be especially calming when your body needs to “walk off” whatever pain is being experienced in the moment.

May we walk mindfully for ourselves and for those who are not able to walk at this time.