Friday, October 21, 2022

MEDITATION


Meditation is an ancient and powerful practical tool for calming the mind, embracing the present moment and gaining valuable insights into the nature of the mind itself.

Meditation also offers general health and mental/emotional benefits, including:

  • lower blood pressure

  • reduced stress

  • better sleep

  • improved emotional regulation

  • increased focus

  • enhanced mood

  • reduced aggression

  • greater adaptability

  • healthier aging process

  • a greater sense of empathy and connection with others

After attending his first 10 day Vipassana silent meditation retreat in 2010, Tim knew that he had found a valuable missing ingredient in his life. The retreat was at times very challenging, but the results were undeniably positive. He felt lighter, wiser, more present and peaceful, more grateful and more equipped to navigate the ups and downs of life than he ever had before.



Over the next 10 years, Tim returned for 4 more 10 day retreats, and each time deepening his understanding of the practice and the philosophy behind it. As a result, Tim ended his relationship with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, and began meditating daily as an ongoing practice of “mental hygiene”.


Later in 2019, he gravitated to Sam Harris’ book and the meditation app “Waking Up”, and has been practicing and studying open awareness mindfulness meditation daily ever since.


During that same year, Tim was a primary caregiver for his father at the end of his journey with Mylodysplastic Syndrome (a type of blood cancer). When his father was suffering from a persistent cough that prevented him from sleeping, Tim guided him through various meditation techniques that helped him relax and foster a sense of peace and gratitude.



Inspired by this experiences with his father, Tim completed the Contemplative End of Life Care Program at the ITM (Institute of Traditional Medicine) in August, 2022. 


He has since sought out opportunities to apply his knowledge of meditation to the needs of hospice clients, their caregivers and hospice staff in the hopes of giving them additional tools for alleviating suffering though difficult times.