Meditation (Living Life As It Is)
Week of July 9, 2022
A life well lived is full of surprises. Challenges never cease and we can meet them with a hardiness of spirit based on love and wise action. Using breath exercises, stories and mindfulness practices derived from wisdom traditions we will explore the strength and wisdom within us. Each day Phyllis and Elana will offer a meditation and contemplation to cultivate attitudes such as gratitude, acceptance, compassion and kindness that lighten the heart and mind so we can face what arises with joy and resilience
One of the original teachers of the renowned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program, Elana Rosenbaum has been a leader in the mindfulness field for over forty years integrating it into the practice of psychotherapy and healthcare. She has authored three books and is sought after internationally as a mindfulness coach and consultant, speaker, and workshop leader. An expert in adapting the MBSR program to a variety of diverse environments and populations, Elana creates inspirational lectures and programs that she enjoys sharing all over the world. Her authority and wisdom, forged through her surviving cancer and a stem cell transplant, and her many years teaching and helping others be well, brings an authenticity and depth to her work. She is associated with the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, the University of Massachusetts Healthcare Center for Mindfulness and Harvard’s Center for Mindfulness and Compassion. She is currently bringing mindfulness to wise aging. Her motto is, “Yes, to life and all that’s in it.”
Phyllis Pilgrim worked at Rancho la Puerta for 40 years from 1981- 2021. She taught Iyengar Yoga, stretch, labyrinth, Chi Gong and Crystal Bowls. She loved hiking and helped evolve the hiking program with Ranch and fitness staff, and created the original Pilgrim Trail. She introduced Meditation in 1987 as well as adding more Body- Mind disciplines to the Fitness Schedule. These were the Start of the Specialty week programs of various fitness and Body-Mind Disciplines with guest Instructors to teach their SpecIalty for one week.
Phyllis was Fitness Director from 1983 – 2001 and Specialty Week Coordinator until 2011
This week Phyllis returns for one week sharing the Meditation Specialty Week with Elana Rosenbaum, a long time colleague and friend in the Ranch’s Inner journey and Specialty Week Meditation progams.
Phyllis has studied Meditation with the Dalai Lama, Swami Veda Bharati, Mindfulness with Jon Kabat Zinn, and The many Wisdom traditions with Huston Smith. She has visited and trekked in countries worldwide to experience their lifestyles and wisdom traditions.