On a recent Saturday morning, twenty Carolina Meadows residents gathered in the Lecture Hall for a Silent Meditation Retreat. Guided by Steve Seiberling, a leader of the Eno River Buddhist Community, the group spent four hours in a variety of activities, including a lunch that was eaten in silence.

The quiet time, an effort to focus on one’s breathing and to calm the ever-active mind, alternated between periods of sitting meditation and walking meditation. Drawing from his extensive study of the Buddha’s writings, Steve helped the participants understand the process of meditating and its benefits for health and well-being.

The retreat, which had been offered last year as well, was sponsored by the Carolina Meadows meditation group that, led by resident Eleanor Heath, meets for an hour each Wednesday morning.

By CM Resident Bill Powers