Senior Spectrum's Coastal Community Center is sponsoring a summer program titled "Meditation's Not Just for Monks," beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 31 and continuing on August 14, 2006. The sessions will be led by Bob and Mary Ann Hoy of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Newcastle.
Meditation is an important tool that's being used to reduce stress and lower blood-pressure. It is a way to evoke the relaxation response, strengthen awareness and alleviate depression. It is also an ancient spiritual practice.
"Meditation is spiritual, but not religious," said Bob Hoy. "Spiritual has to do with actual experience, not just beliefs; an awakening to one's true self. Meditation, therefore, is not so much a part of this or that particular religion, but rather of the universal spiritual culture of all humankind. It is an effort to bring awareness to bear on all aspects of life."
Bob Hoy is a Spiritual Director and a retired teacher of 35 years. Mary Ann Hoy is the Associate Rector at St. Andrew's. They have been members of an on-going meditation group for the past 20 years.
I like what Bob Hoy says about meditation being spiritual but not religious. Meditation is about universals; it's about how the mind really works - no matter what the person's belief system happens to be.
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