Over the past few weeks, social distancing mandates have confined us more and more to our homes. Luckily, there is a millennia-old discipline that has refined sitting still to an art form.
“[Meditation] is certainly identified with a lot of different spiritual practices,” Zen priest Kelly Weaverling said. “Whether it’s spiritual or not, I couldn’t say, but it definitely does raise your spirits.”
Weaverling is leader of the Pathless Way Zen Community, which was among the first local organizations to cancel meetings in order to avoid becoming a vector for the coronavirus. Since then, Weaverling has moved his Zen practice online, meeting on Zoom each Sunday morning. Each session begins at 9 a.m., with an orientation for any newcomer who wishes to learn the basics of meditation. Attendees can stay for part or for all of the meeting, which includes chanting of Buddhist sutras and a discussion. The traditional sharing of tea and fruit is the only part of the meeting that can’t be accomplished by video chat.
As a meditative aid, Weaverling makes use of Insight Timer, a widely used app with a variety of timekeeping functions.
According to a report by the national Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation has been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, fatigue, and general mood and sleep disturbances. Some evidence also suggests that meditation may be helpful in alleviating a variety of health issues, ranging from hypertension to irritable bowel syndrome.
“It certainly looks like you’re just sitting there, staring at the wall,” Weaverling said. “But there are a variety of different ways you can meditate… My interest in Buddhism didn’t start with any spiritual activity. I just heard that meditation was good for you, both physically and mentally and, the more I got into it, the more I found value in it.”
