I had an extraordinarily beautiful experience this morning, I hosted the first ever Mansion Meditation Group for residents who wished to learn how to meditate and incorporate this into their daily lives.

Of the dozen  residents I invited, five or six raised their hands immediately, which surprised me. We left the Activity Room and went to the Dining Room, which was quiet and private it. I can also use the Great Room.

We sat in a small circle around a dining room table, within easy earshot and reach of one another.

There is a trove of evidence showing that meditation can be very healthy for the elderly, it decreases blood pressure, helps the heart,  and supports mental health. The extreme elderly are under great pressure and stress, even if much of their traditional life has been taken from them.

Six residents signed up, including Sylvie and Madeline and Wayne (I didn’t ask the others for permission to use their names). I conducted a five minute guided meditation, using my Iphone as a timer.

I suggested to the residents that they first breathe in and out several times, then scan their body, then leave judgement and anxiety behind in so far as they could. I reminded them there is no failure in meditation, it is not a test, there is no messing up.

They can just follow their minds, and when they feel too distracted, just pay attention to their breathing again.

Our minds our minds, all we are trying to do, I said, is find a sweet and calm place inside of ourselves, lives are not simple. None of them had ever meditated in their lives, and only one, Sylvie, had even heard of it.

They took to it instantly, they closed and opened their eyes as suggested, breathed deeply, and then sat in quiet.  There was a marked calming about them, almost a white light I could see.

I could also see them settle into this peaceful and calming exercise. They were shocked by it, several said they had no idea what to expect, they all said they enjoyed it very much, they all asked me to come back regularly, they all wanted to sign up for my Meditation Group.

I feel I am approaching a level of trust with the residents, I don’t think they would have tried this if I was just a man walking through with a dog. We have been through a lot together. Red joined in, he is a viscerally spiritual creature, and lay down right next to us, and didn’t move.

This was meaningful for me beyond description, their lives are very difficult and full of stress and worry, even though they have voluntarily given up on so much responsibility. If there was ever a way to do good in a small and free way, this was it. Doing this felt as good as anything I can remember doing at the Mansion. I also love reading to them, I have some great stories for next week.

I meditated with them today, and thus felt a closeness that was  deeply spiritual. I appreciate taking what I have learned from my daily meditating and sharing it.

I am eager to return to the next Meditation Class, next Thursday and I also offered this to the staff and the aides. I doubt they will take the time to do it, but I hope they do. The people who need it the most seem the most reluctant to do it.

It has helped me more than I can say.