Meditation for Daily Living with Jeff Zlotnik of The Meditation Initiative

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Join Kathryn as she talks with Jeff Zlotnik about the benefits of meditation. 

Jeff is the founder and Executive Director of The Meditation Initiative, a not for profit organization that provides free meditation classes for children, adults, and seniors to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and attention, and share tools for anger management while improving overall health and well-being.  Jeff will share his unique approach to meditation, and techniques to create a space for mindful breathing, and perhaps will inspire you to include a practice of meditation in your daily routine.  If you are seeking harmony for your life, you will benefit from learning Jeff’s approach to meditation.

Jeff Zlotnik is the Founder and Executive Director of The Meditation Initiative.  He is purposeful in bringing awareness to the mental health benefits of mindfulness and meditation.   Jeff began his meditation practice in 1996 while receiving his BA in Psychology at the University of Arizona.  He has led meditation to thousands of people, and is passionate about inspiring people to experience the benefits of intentional breathing.   Some of his most passionate areas of focus include working with school-aged children, senior citizens, prisoners, and wounded military service members and veterans.  Jeff approaches meditation simply as a daily practice of mindfulness laying the foundation for a happier and healthier life.

Meditation in a Women's Prison

Meditation this afternoon in women's prison, working within the Psychiatric Security Unit. After meditation they said, "I have never experienced this tranquility in my life", "The voices have slowed down", "I have been using this mediation during the days and it helps", "We are so grateful for your time here with us", "I now know I can make myself feel calm and not be violent".

I am grateful for the presence of The Meditation Initiative!


Peace,
TMI

Meditation vs. Mindfulness in the "Real World"

As I sat with 12 United States Soldiers this morning, we discussed the difference between meditation and mindfulness. One young soldier asked how meditation will help him when he takes his family to Sea World this weekend. He shared that he would often be frustrated by many people he encounters, thus responding negatively towards his children. I added he is not the only one who would experience this situation!

I simply shared that meditation is concentration and mindfulness is awareness. In silent meditation we use the breath as a focus and become mindful of all our thoughts. When he goes to Sea World, his focus will be his children, while his mindfulness will be his awareness of emotions triggered by all the people he encounters. If he stays focused on his children, he can let anyone who frustrates him float on by as we practice doing with our thoughts in silent meditation. If he replaces the breath as his focus with his children and replaces the random thoughts that arise with all the people, he can go through the day with peace of mind. The end result is he is more present with his family and less concerned with others. This is meditation having an impact on us in the real world.

The Mediation Initiative leads meditation every week at The Point Loma Naval Base as part of a residential treatment program for soldiers returning from combat who are diagnosed with PTSD and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). For more information please visit The Meditation Initiative

TMI Monthly Newsletter - April 2011

Click Here for Newsletter : The Meditation Initiative Monthly Newsletter - April 2011

Meditation at Lincoln High School

Wednesdays at TMI

TMI Meditations Today: Wounded Warriors at Point Loma Navy Base, Teachers and Students at Albert Einstein Academy, Wounded Warriors at Navy Medical Center, Students at King-Chavez High School, The Braille Institute, and tonight at the UU Church. All Free and all in one day!

8th Grade Kids - Meditation Letters

Students at Monarch School: Write Letters About Meditation to a Friend

Dear Perla,

Meditation is really helpful, because it will help you relieve stress. When we have done meditation in the class, after I felt happier and like a whole different person because I was more calm. If I could do meditation 24/7 I would, or if I could teach it I would. I would suggest meditation to you because I know that kids our age have a lot of drama, at school, home, or even on the streets. - 8th grade female

Dear Jesse,

It feels great to meditat in class quietly. It has helped me overcome my being mad. It was really fun in the class. We got to eat every week for a couple minutes in there too. I've used meditation when I get frustrated. I've also used it when I want to enjoy my food. I would like to use meditation in my daily life more. It really is useful. - 7th grade boy

Founded in 1988, Monarch School and its committed team of teachers, administrators and volunteers is dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs. Today, more than 160 kids between the ages of 4 and 19 are enrolled at Monarch School.

Meditation at the Japanese Friendship Garden

Japanese Frienship Garden

Silence. What is silence? Silence is sitting and listening. You can hear the noise, yet there is still silence. Silence comes from within. At the Japanese Friendship Garden the noise consists of a serene water fall, the sound of Koi Fish swimming, the trees wrestling in the wind, the snipping of Bonzai Trees being trimmed, and the slow footsteps of people walking thru the winding path into the garden. This is where we meditate, every Saturday at 1pm.

Koi Pond

Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday, we look forward to seeing you next week. A special thanks to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park for allowing us to use this beautiful space.

Zen Garden

Meditation at Southwestern College

Southwestern College Staff Development Day

Thanks to Southwestern College for inviting The Meditation Initiative to be a part of their Staff Development Day! We had about 40 people join the meditation, it was a great experience. I see once again how important it is to bring mindfulness and meditation into the workplace. This was a great group with many beginners and also some who had an already existing meditation practice. As always, most important is to encourage and inspire people to meditate for 5 minutes every day. Thanks to Wayne and the rest of the staff for a wonderful meditation practice.

Peace,
TMI