Meditation
"There are times when we stop, we sit still. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper."
~James Carroll
My personal journey into meditation began at the age of 15 while in a drug and alcohol treatment center, dealing with crippling anxiety and psychosomatic stress. (My existential crisis in this life began far too early for my maturity level, and by puberty it became more than I could manage - my soul was desperately seeking something.)
The counselor at the time worked with me using what I would describe in hindsight as guided visualization methods that were a cross between progressive muscle relaxation and yoga nidra. This was my first introduction to how interfacing with the body can address the mind - as well as, if not more effectively than talk psychotherapy. Perhaps also at one level, this was my introduction to “bodywork” that later became a career path.
In my late teens and early 20s, I started venturing into the world of Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, and other movement-based meditative practices. Soon I discovered Vipassana and Transcendental Meditation. I also dabbled in metaphysical approaches.
By the year 2000, my growing level of interest in this field was pointing towards a yoga teacher training and certification which happened in 2007. From there, and for about 4 years, I taught yoga and facilitated a weekly meditation group at Island Soma where we explored a variety of traditions and disciplines. I attended lots of silent retreats that lasted anywhere from 1 to 10 days. Also during this period I found the meditation transmissions of Hugh Milne really expanded and evolved my capacity, awareness, and potential with my practice.
As my own knowledge and experience became more refined, the scholarly and practical teachings of Doug Keller and Reginald Ray were some of the most meaningful and influential. There was a grounding clarity in the essence of the lineages they taught, and their own embodiment of the teachings spoke volumes to me through many lasting impressions.
Around 2010, I took a break from teaching for several reasons, mainly to focus on recovering from a traumatic injury that was taking a toll on me with its lasting effects.
In 2015 I was introduced to a particular type of Stillness practice through a Biodynamic training from the work of Charles Ridley, also taught by Giorgia Milne. It felt like coming home in a way that I couldn't quite put my finger on, yet I knew it was so. I returned transformed from this experience, and people close to me saw the changes right away. It even moved some of them to also do the training.
I've been immersed in the Stillness work ever since, and have found it to be one of the most useful practices for healing physical and psychological trauma, as well as restoring the blueprint of who and what I am. It forms the foundation for my work with clients, and remains at the center of my own personal practice.