About Sandy Orkin and the Meditation Tree
The Meditation Tree’s approach to teaching of Mindfulness Meditation, although rooted both in Buddhist and Taoist teachings, also incorporates both the neuroscientific research and the psychological findings that support the overall effectiveness of a Mindfulness Meditation Practice. Since the late 70’s, Western culture has adopted a more relative and contemporary term, “Mindfulness” to describe the Ancient Eastern Practice of Vipassana Meditation. Regardless of how it is labeled, the practice is secular in nature and the mental, physical and spiritual effects are not in conflict with one’s religious beliefs. In the past 10-20 years, as we have learned more about the human brain, Neuro-Scientific findings now supports evidence that a daily practice of Mindfulness not only creates healthier brain functioning, but can change physical and emotional conditions reflected in ones’ negative reactions to our thoughts.
As a meditation practitioner for more than 50 years, Sandy Orkin started “The Meditation Tree” to altruistically help others free themselves of needless self-imposed suffering, (i.e., stress and anxiety, worry, depression, self-doubt, etc.) and to introduce and to teach others the practice of Mindfulness Meditation and to show them how they may apply it to their current lifestyle. No one who chooses to better themselves will be denied their right to do so at the Meditation Tree because of financial restraints. Sandy started meditating in the 70’s with the practice of Transcendental Meditation and then, in the 80’s, Sandy expanded his interest in Eastern Philosophy by studying Sum Faht Meditation taught by Leong Tan from Malaysia who spent a great part of his life studying the spiritual and martial arts as practiced in Asia. Leong’s teachings reflected certain aspects Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
For the past several years, Sandy has studied with Kay Calvin and Tom Bolduc, students of Leong since the 70’s. Through further studies, he has learned various meditation techniques including Tonglen and other healing/energy practices. Sandy also has attended 10 day silent Vipassana Meditation retreats in Northern California based on the teachings of S.N. Goenka.
Sandy was also certified as a Meditation teacher at the Meditation Learning Center in Mesa, Arizona, Via his involvement as a Hospice Volunteer the past few years, he has taught in-service meditation classes and currently volunteers to co-lead Grief Support groups in Los Angeles where he can aptly apply his learned (listening) meditation skills. Sandy teaches individuals privately or within group settings exclusively at this time via ZOOM.
Aside from the inevitability of death (and taxes), is the inevitable condition of “constant change” and it is through the process of Meditation/Mindfulness that we can learn to change both our learned conscious and sub-conscious thought and behavioral patterns. These habits of thoughts and actions often prevent us from discovering our true selves and from experiencing the full beauty of this thing we call “Life”. It is neither "change" nor “the situation” that creates challenges. It's our RESISTANCE to change and the thoughts we think (which can contribute to depression, anxiety, stress, worry and self-doubt, etc) that pose a threat to our well-being.
