A few months ago, I went to a meditation group that meets regularly in the basement of the Howes House in West Tisbury. Upstairs a group of seniors had gotten together for an evening of bridge. Just as we were sitting down, we overheard the following conversation:

“What is that group doing downstairs?”

“I think it’s a meditation group.”

“Oh, I hope they won’t be too noisy.”

Meditation can be described differently by different people, though I dare say that one adjective rarely used is rowdy.

But clearly there are some misconceptions surrounding meditation. Some think it’s about zoning out or going into some altered state; in fact it’s quite the opposite. Meditation is simply about being totally present, aware, and in the moment. By calming down the noise and chatter going on in the mind – and equally important, actually being aware of it – we can gain a greater sense of calm and clarity. Some find this is helpful in reducing stress. But in addition, over time, that clarity can help us make wiser decisions, which can help us lead happier lives.

As for the actual mechanics of meditation, it can be done seated, standing, walking, or even lying down. And it can be just as simple as concentrating on your breath. Start with a few minutes at a time and build from there. The important thing is just to do it and do it consistently.

For many Vineyarders, their introduction to meditation comes through Dr. Elliott Dacher of Chilmark. He began teaching meditation about six years ago at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and somewhere around three hundred people have attended his classes over the years. For those who might be skeptical of meditation, Elliott explains that having classes led by a physician at the hospital gives the program a sense of credibility.

He teaches the essential elements of meditation without any religious focus. In a typical two-hour class, twenty people sit in a wide circle and take turns commenting on their practice, while Elliott provides perspective and direction.

Another popular meditation class is held at the Howes House and is led by Chas DiCapua from the Insight Meditation Society in Barre. Chas comes to the Island and teaches once a month and then the group has additional sittings throughout the month while he is gone. Chas’s class is grounded in the Buddhist tradition and while it’s spiritual, it’s very pragmatic. So while there might be discussion, for instance, about Buddha’s Eightfold Path, there’s also very practical advice on what to do if your nose starts to itch while you’re meditating, or how to keep from nodding off.

The monthly class is three hours long and it includes instruction, discussion, and actual meditation practice. People sit in chairs or on cushions – however they’re most comfortable – and sometimes the class goes outside to practice walking meditation. The class is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced meditators.

Bodhi Path is an international group of Buddhist centers founded by Shamar Rinpoche, a Tibetan monk whose intention was to make Tibetan Buddhism more accessible for westerners. For the past twelve years, Lama Yeshe Drolma has been the resident teacher at the Island’s Bodhi Path meditation center, which began in 1999 in West Tisbury. She teaches in the spring, summer, and fall.

Hundreds of Islanders and summer residents have attended the center, which is open year-round for meditation and workshops with guest teachers. Bodhi
Path is non-sectarian, so people with all systems of belief participate.

“There is no dissatisfaction but in the mind,” Lama Yeshe explains, “so you must understand the mind to achieve peace – peace is achieved through understanding and loving kindness. When we’re a little more kind to the world, the world is a little more kind to us.”

Meditation, along with the investigation of Buddhist philosophies, has become increasingly popular, not only on the Vineyard. It is finding its way into mainstream applications from the field of medicine to the world of business; Oprah Winfrey, for example, sets aside time each day for all of her employees to meditate.

It’s something we can all do, and it can have a profound effect on the quality of our lives. We’re fortunate here to have myriad resources – teachers, classes, meditation facilities – to help us down the path.