Local residents find peace and quiet
Linda Cafiero has been a yoga and tai chi instructor, as well as reiki master, for well over 10 years. Last week she brought her meditation expertise to the Hicksville Public Library. Cafiero hosted a meditation workshop at the library for an intimate group of individuals seeking to gain a few moments of peace and serenity in their hectic and fast-paced world.
The meditation workshop featured a form of meditation known as Vipassana, which in Buddhist tradition, means “an insight meditation that allows you to see things as they really are,” as Cafiero described it. Seated in a circle, with the dim glow of candles at the center, participants were peacefully guided by Linda into a deep meditative state, continually reminded to connect to their life force, their breath, and to be aware of the sensations and emotions throughout their bodies.
The meditation lasted approximately 50 minutes and sparked positive reactions from participants.
Hicksville resident Michele Caputo has been a yoga student of Cafiero’s for 10 years and says her practice has made her feel, “much more relaxed, and overall in better health.” Caputo came to the workshop Wednesday night eager to relieve stress and said that she “found some inner peace during the meditation and realized that while you can’t control situations that arise, you can control how you react to them.”
Cafiero calls meditation, “a practice of coming into your natural state of being. The ability to be in the present moment, breath by breath, moment by moment.” For those looking to escape the business of life through meditation, she offers the following tips:
Let your mind ride the waves of your breath. Always connect to your breath and see what knowledge it bestows upon you about your mind, body, and soul.
Don’t be discouraged by a wandering mind. As humans living in the 21st century, it is only natural for our minds to wander, especially as we try to shut out distractions from the outside world, and from within. Instead of getting discouraged, honor the thoughts that come to you, learn from them, and then again, reconnect with your breath and with the present moment.
So remember, whether you’re stuck in traffic or in an argument, pause and reconnect to your breath, to yourself, and to the bigger picture.
Om Shanti.
