WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — On a usual day during a usual time, it can be hard to calm your mind and take a moment to just breath.
Add in a global pandemic and that calm can be even harder to find.
With that in mind, it is no surprise that more people are turning to meditation to find solace. From 11 a.m.-noon Sunday, consider joining a Learn to Meditate class hosted by the Shambhala Meditation Center of White River via Zoom. While the course being taught by Donna Williams is free, the nonprofit organization is also asking attendees to consider making a donation. People can sign up for the program by emailing whiteriver@shambhala.info. For more information, visit https://whiteriver.shambhala.org.
Sunday’s class, titled “Working with intense emotions during the pandemic, or ‘Get me out of here!’ ” is the third virtual program Wright is teaching related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You really need to learn to work with your mind. That is so fundamental,” Williams said. “It allows you to have the bandwidth to deal with whatever emotional, economic … dilemma that you face. You have that mental resourcefulness even if you have to lay on the bed one day, look up at the ceiling and say, ‘Get me out of here!’ There’s space for that.”
Williams is a resident of the Karmê Chöling: Shambhala Meditation Center in Barnet, Vt., and lived in Bradford, Vt., for more than 30 years. She has been practicing meditation for more than 40 years and teaching for more than 30.
“A lot of people come to meditation thinking, ‘There’s a way to do it and I’m doing it wrong.’ We try to emphasize gentleness,” Williams said.
Meditation focuses on how to be present during that particular moment.
“That’s the importance of meditation. Now I’m present. I feel my body. I’m feeling my senses,” Williams said. “A lot of people have this misconception that meditation is controlling our minds and that’s 100% wrong.”
By practicing meditation, people can learn how to let thoughts exist side by side and not letting panic overtake them.
“It’s not like you push it away, but there’s space for it,” Williams said.
Although we can’t gather in person in the age of social distancing, plenty of organizations are finding ways to hold events online. Here are some coming up in the next few days worth checking out:
■Stream the film EARTH & the De-Materialization of Our Economy from now through Saturday and then join a community discussion hosted by White River Indie Films at 7:30 p.m. Saturday via Zoom. The film costs $12 to stream. Visit wrif.org for more information and to sign up for the discussion.
■The Royalton Memorial Library is hosting a storytelling night titled “Facing Your Fears” at 7 p.m. Friday. Email ataylor.young2020@gmail.com for details and instructions on how to participate or listen.
■Upper Valley Music Center faculty members will be performing a concert on YouTube Live from 5-6 p.m. Saturday. Visit uvmusic.org for more information.
■The Claremont Senior Center is hosting a Takeout Turkey Dinner “with all the fixings” from 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday. It costs $10 for adults and $6 for children age 10 and under. Call 603-543-5798 to reserve your meal.
■Still North Books and Literary North are joining to host a poetry open mic night from 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday in honor of National Poetry Month. Poets reading include Laura Jean Binkley, Vievee Francis, Kristin Maffei, Rena J. Mosteirin and April Ossmann. Sign up to listen or read at literarynorth.org.
Editor’s note: Please submit Upper Valley-based virtual events via the Valley Calendar at calendar.vnews.com or email calendar@vnews.com. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
