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Giving Pause For Thought

JAY CONNER/staff

A bell, Buddha and candle on the table for the "Zen Loving Kindness Meditation" in the beginning of the session held at Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa located at 11400 Morris Bridge Road.

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By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

Updated: 01/28/2008 09:22 pm

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TEMPLE TERRACE - The men and women sit silently, their chairs forming a circle. Around them, the room is still. A woman leans back, eyes closed. A man sits up straight, taking deep, controlled breaths.

A bell rings.

It's a typical meeting for the Zen Loving Kindness Meditation group. The group gathers from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa.

"Meditation makes me feel calm," said participant Grant Wilson. "I come here so I can just sit."

Zen Loving Kindness is an ancient form of guided meditation. It is part of the Zen Buddhist spiritual practice and widely known because of the book "Loving Kindness Mediation: Learning To Love Through Insight Meditation." The book, written by Sharon Salzberg and published in 1996, offers step-by-step instructions.

Participants silently meditate for five to seven minutes on each of four phrases: "May I be filled with loving kindness," "May I be well," "May I be peaceful and at ease," "May I be happy."

As the meditation on each phrase is finished, a leader rings a bell and guides the group into the next. The second time through, the "I" becomes "you." Participants sit for one hour. Then, the leader invites all to share their thoughts.

The Rev. Sara Zimmerman leads the group. She started the group four months ago and has seen positive results. Five to 15 people attend each week.

"It's about bringing kindness to yourself and others," she said. "It helps you to see the interrelatedness of everything."

Zimmerman became a Unitarian Universalist and practicing Zen Buddhist after going through a difficult divorce in the mid-1990s. She studied for three years with Zen instructor Robert Aitken. Then, Zimmerman retired from her job as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and enrolled in seminary at the University of California, Berkeley. She came to work at the church in September.

"Zen totally changed me," Zimmerman said. "It helps you to see the world with more compassion and understanding."

Church member Pat Benedict agreed. "I always wanted to try meditation, but I could never seem to find time on my own," she said. "This group gives a date and time to put on the calendar, so I know I'll do it. It really makes a difference in my life. It helps me focus."

There are no requirements to participate in the group. Those who are not members of the church and people of other faiths also are welcome. Though a Buddha is present during the meetings, Zimmerman stresses it is not there to worship.

"Anyone is welcome," she said. "There's no limit on how many people can attend, and there's no charge."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Zen Loving Kindness Meditation

WHEN: From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays

WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, 11400 Morris Bridge Road

INFORMATION: Call (813) 988-8188.

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell @tampatrib.com.

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