Nancy Garnhart, facilitator and St. John’s parishioner
When my daughter Lydia and I owned a yoga studio, people would often feel compelled to tell us that they “couldn’t meditate.” They’d explain that they couldn’t clear their minds—it just wasn’t possible, they’d say. Sometimes I would simply nod. Other times I’d try to explain that meditation isn’t about clearing your mind at all. In fact, it’s the mind’s job to think, and we actually need it to keep doing that. What meditation is about is learning how to gently quiet the mind—or at least turn it down to a dull roar. We do this by giving the mind something simple to focus on, a set of tools that brings us back into the present moment.
Why the present moment? Because it’s the only thing that’s real. The past is already done and can’t be changed. The future hasn’t happened yet. Right here, right now—this is the only place life is actually unfolding. When I pour my energy into trying to fix the past or worrying about an imagined future, it’s usually wasted, and it tends to lead to stress, unhappiness, and a diminished ability to feel gratitude, joy, and love for what’s right in front of me.
Curious? We invite you to try a sample from a recent session! This audio-only example will guide you through the initial steps of preparing your senses, and then allow for two minutes of uninterrupted meditation.
Meditation can’t take away the difficult or painful parts of life. But having a few simple tools for staying present with what is can keep us from getting stuck in loops of fear, self-blame, guilt, or anxious spiraling about what comes next. It helps me feel grateful that I can buy food instead of getting frustrated while waiting in a slow line at the grocery store. It helps me put my energy into caring for the planet and noticing the beauty around me, rather than constantly freaking out about what kind of world my grandchildren will inherit.
So I invite you—whether you think you can meditate or not—to join me on Fridays at 10AM. You’re welcome to drop in anytime. No experience is required, and you don’t need to have attended before. Each session begins with a simple two-minute guided meditation, followed by some discussion, and we close with a longer guided meditation (no more than 12 minutes).
"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today." -Matthew 6:34