Meditation Outreach Program - 8 New Trained Volunteers

THE MEDITATION INITIATIVE NAMES MEDITATION LEADERS FOR KEY ON-GOING OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The Meditation Initiative has named eight trained, experienced meditation leaders to conduct its meditation outreach programs at key organizations throughout the San Diego area.

According to TMI Executive Director Jeff Zlotnik, the new outreach meditation leaders and the organizations they will serve include:

• Luis Martel, KPBS Public Broadcasting for San Diego
• Mia Carlstrom, College Avenue Seniors Center
• David Viafora, Monarch School and King Chavez High School
• Sunshine Palmejar, La Jolla Recovery Sober Living Home
• Gail Braverman, The Braille Institute of San Diego
• Donna Pinto, Kids For Peace
• Joyce DiCicco and Joy Smith, Navy Medical Center San Diego



In making the announcement, Zlotnik said these organizations are typical of the diverse range of groups The Meditation Initiative serves. “We conduct free meditation sessions each week for children, adults and seniors to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and share tools for anger management, while improving overall health and wellbeing,” he said. “This includes everything from Catholic Charities to Jewish Family Services, wounded warriors at the U.S. Navy Medical Center, and SDSU, UCSD, San Diego City College and more.” “These new meditation leaders,” he added, “will help us to serve these vital community groups more consistently and more effectively than ever before.”

The Meditation Initiative is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization serving clients that include K-12 Public Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Prisons, Diabetes Patients, HIV Patients, Veterans Groups, Sober Living Homes and Group Homes for Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. Please visit our website www.meditationinitiative.org for more information.

The Meditation Initiative

Wounded Warrior Meditation - A Soft Belly

As I sat in meditation yesterday, I could not help but think about what these young men have gone through to protect our country. The rest of their lives will be forever changed based on their experiences. It was the end of an 8-week meditation program for some and the start of 8-weeks for others. One soldier shared that for the first 3-4 weeks he did not enjoy the meditation. He went on to say that once he let go of not liking it, he started to try the meditation and has been amazed at how much it has helped. He shared how many tours of duty he has been on and the intesity of his mission. Now in a big brother type of way, he was telling these other young soldiers to feel their "belly soften". It was clear he did not want to seem that he had lost his toughness and he had not. He had simply gained back some peace of mind and learned a tool that will help him integrate back into civilian life. I am honored to lead meditation and serve the young men and women that serve this country.

Please click here to make a donation and support this program!

Peace,
TMI

The Meditation Initiative

San Diego TCOYD Conference & Health Fair October 30, 2010

The Meditation Initiative will be leading meditation in the afternoon. Please share this event with friends and family you know who may be interested.


San Diego TCOYD Conference & Health Fair October 30, 2010

The Meditation Initiative - Newsletter #1

The Meditation Initiative - Newsletter #1

Meditation and Dealing with Death

After meditation yesterday I was approached by an 88 year old man. He said he was married for 66 years and his wife passed away a few months ago. He said his meditation practice has helped him deal with the loss of his wife.

These stories motivate TMI to continue our effort to provide meditation for free to the San Diego Community.

Meditation Lowers Blood Pressure - Story from Zev

The following is a letter received from Mr. Zev Marcovitz, a man in his sixties who attended a stress reduction workshop, led by The Meditation Initiative at Jewish Family Services in San Diego.

Hi Jeff,
I’d like to share with you an event that I experienced lately. About 2 weeks ago I went to donate blood at the Oceanside Blood Bank. One of the things that they check prior to donating blood is blood pressure, well, to my great disappointment and disbelief, not only that my blood pressure was very high, it actually exceeded the limit allowed to be able to donate blood. The nurse suggested that I sit in the lobby for 10-15 minutes, and than she would recheck my blood pressure to see if there was an improvement. While sitting in the lobby, trying to relax, I exercised some of the techniques you introduced in your workshop “Stress Reduction” at Jewish Family Services in San Diego. After about 15 minutes I was called back in to recheck my blood pressure. Well, I was surprised and delighted to find out that my blood pressure was significantly lower this time, (the nurse thought that the equipment malfunctioned), and I was allowed to proceed with donating blood. I continue to practice meditation almost on a daily basis, and I feel more relaxed and not stressed out as before. So thank you Jeff for the great workshop. Hopefully you’ll have the opportunity to continue leading meditation so other people will benefit as well.

Thanks,
Zev Marcovitz

New Video - The Meditation Initiative