Local software engineer offers weekly meditation at Natick’s library

Image credit from the original owner.

NATICK - Morse Institute Library’s Innovation Studio was so quiet on a recent evening that the sounds of the heating system and a ticking clock stood out.

Meditation instructor Vivek Rajan told participants in his workshop to listen to the sounds and bring their mind to the present.

“You’re in harmony with the environment,” he said.

Rajan, a software engineer from Natick who runs a weekly introduction to meditation workshop at the library, led participants through breathing and body relaxation by verbally giving instructions as participants sat in chairs with their eyes closed. The meditation session lasted approximately 20 minutes and ended as Rajan told them to slowly open their eyes when they were ready.

People explore meditation for a variety of reasons, Rajan said. Some are going through a breakup or facing other difficult times. Others may just want to relieve stress.

“They just want some form of peace they can find,” he said.

Reference Librarian Dawn Schontag notices the difference when people emerge from the sessions.

“They just look so much calmer and relaxed and say ‘thank you for having this’.”

The free program grew from an informal group to a formal program because of demand. Many people check out meditation books and CDs, said Schontag.

“Meditation is the delicate art of doing nothing and letting go of all the efforts to relax into your true nature which is love, joy and peace,” according to the Art of Living Foundation. “Meditation is that which gives you deep rest.”

Rajan, who has been meditating for more than a decade and received training from the Art of Living Foundation, teaches a breathing exercise that helps participants get into meditation. He reserves time after meditation for questions and answers.

Meditation, he said, is akin to sleeping except people have a sense of awareness.

Regular participants Lisa Keefe and Fred Giordano praised the program.

“We’re all here to sort of stay in the present rather than deal with future and past tribulations,” said Giordano, of Wayland. “Even though I’m retired, I still feel some anxiety at times and I’m finding this is very helpful.”

Keefe added: “You feel much lighter when you leave and it makes you feel like you can really learn to manage the stress of life.

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