Emerald Coast Meditation Society

09/09/2025

JP Mills of Serendipity Tones generating sounds from a handpan in the Zen garden of the Destin Library this morning. The resonant tones of the handpan created a sense of spacious and stillness. JP’s performance opened hearts, quieted minded and awakened us to the vibration of the moment.

ECMS meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 - 10:30 am. All are welcome to this free and nonsectarian event.

For more information on JP Mills, visit his page at Serendipity Tones.

09/09/2025

A heartfelt thank you to JP Mills of Serendipity Tones for today’s handpan meditation in the Zen garden at the Destin Library. After walking meditation led by master gardener Velda Dougherty, JP’s performance surrounded us with healing and spiritual energy, opening us more fully to the present moment.

For more information about JP and his work, visit his page at Serendipity Tones.

09/05/2025

09/05/2025

Welcome to Handpan Meditation in the Zen Garden of the Destin Library on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 9:00 - 10:30 AM.

Come vibe with JP MIlls of Serendipity Tones—a space where music gets magical and vibes run deep. JP is a handpan player who blends mindfulness meditation with musical rhythm to guide us into presence, peace, and uplifting frequencies.

The Emerald Coast Meditation Society (ECMS) meets monthly in the Zen garden for sitting and walking meditation, followed by a guest presentation and group sharing.

ECMS is nonsectarian, free and open to all.
See you in the garden!
For further information about this event, please contact Dianne Kinsey: tikster12@yahoo.com or 401-286-7193

09/03/2025

Gentle Reminder—Monthly Virtual Meeting of ECMS on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30 - 8:00 PM CST.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87018683894

We are honored to welcome special guest Mary Jo Capra, part of the “power couple” whose husband Norm spoke last July on Aging as a Spritual Practice. Mary Jo will be speaking on Yoga for Healthy Aging.

Mary Jo comes to us with over 20 years of yoga practice and teaching with a special focus on holistic health. She will share her insights as a spiritually oriented and practioner of mindfulness.

As always, we begin with a 30 minute silent meditation followed by guest speaker and time for group sharing and discussion.

All are welcome to this free and non-sectarian event. A special welcome to beginners.

For further information about ECMS, please contact: Dianne Kinsey at: Tikster12@yahoo.com

08/26/2025

ECMS is delighted to welcome Mary Jo Capra as our guest speaker at our next Zoom gathering on Thursday, September 4th, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM CST. Mary Jo will speak on Yoga for Healthy Aging. Our Zoom Link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87018683894

Our evening begins with a 30 minute silent meditation followed by Mary Jo’s talk and group sharing. We end with a five meditation. ECMS is non-sectarian, free and welcomes all meditators and practioners of mindfulness , as well as the curious of all ages.

Bio:
Mary Jo Capra has been practicing yoga over twenty years and has come to love practices that honor the body’s strengths and weaknesses allowing her to maintain a good quality of life as she ages. Mary Jo holds the title 500-hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher. She also holds a Certificate in Yoga for Healthy Aging from Baxter Bell, M.D. and Melina Meza.

She teaches classes in Yoga for Healthy Aging and Meditation at Gulf Coast State College during the Education Encore Program. She is a member of the Gulf Coast Community of Mindfulness which practices meditation and mindfulness in the Plum Village tradition of the Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Alongside her dedication to teaching, she is committed to lifelong learning and personal growth, regularly attending workshops and retreats to deepen her understanding of holistic wellness. Her gentle approach and encouraging presence create a welcoming atmosphere in every class, inspiring students to embrace yoga as a practice of self-care and resilience throughout all stages of life.
Some of her favorite activities are birding and creating native environments for her feathered friends. She shares her life with her husband, Norm.

Photo of Mary Jo at her daughter’s wedding:

08/12/2025

Today’s morning Zen Garden meditation surrounded by the lush green of summer, vibrant blossoms and birdsong. We began with a silent sitting meditation followed by mindful walking though the garden, led by master gardener, Velda Dougherty.

Our guest speaker, Brenda Arnold, began with gentle Qi Gong movements to center body and mind. She then shared teaching of jhanas, offering an introduction into their meaning and a glimpse into her own spiritual journey as a yogi and mindfulness practitioner.

It was a morning of beauty, presence, quiet joy and heartfelt sharing.

ECMS is nonsectarian, free and welcomes all. We meet in the library’s Zen Garden on the second Tuesday of each month.

For more info about ECMS, please contact Dianne Kinsey at: Tikster12@yahoo.com

08/09/2025

Join us in the peaceful Zen garden on Tuesday, August 12 for early sitting and walking meditation. ECMS meets from 9:00 - 10:30 AM on the second Tuesday of each month at the Destin Library.

Come with a water bottle, cushion or yoga mat, insect spray (optional) and an open heart to learn about the Jhanas from our ECMS member, Brenda Arnold.

All meditators and practitioners of mindfulness are welcome. Whether you are new to practice, advanced or simply curious to learn more, please join us.

Short bio from our speaker, Brenda Arnold.

“I am a natural born seeker. The daily formal meditation practices starting in 2020 have led me to the dharma, once again.

I seek experiences that assist my spiritual growth and find 4 noble Truths and the eightfold path as a guide.

I started practicing Yoga in my early 20s, also became a nurse then and retired in 2019.

Right now I practice Tai Chi once a week and play Picklball almost every day, hence my interest in Jhanas.

Currently the teacher I follow on YouTube says, “Be Your Own Guru.”

I respect the Dharma as a lifestyle, and am looking forward to the discord on August 12th in the Zen Garden. “

ECMS is non-sectarian and free to the public. For more information about ECMS, please contact Dianne Kinsey at: Tikster12@yahoo.com or 401-286-7193

08/06/2025

JOIN US for the August ECMS Zoom Gathering!
Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 6:30–8:00 PM CST
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87018683894

We’re excited to welcome longtime member Rebecca Wiederkehr as our guest speaker. She’ll explore “The Power of Thoughts and Their Influence on Our Feelings and Behavior,” drawing from her experience as a teacher, Licensed Social Worker and pioneer in Energy Psychology.

The evening begins with a 30 minute silent meditation, followed by Rebecca’s talk and group sharing led by Fred Forseman.

All are welcome—beginners and experienced meditators alike, as well as the curious. ECMS is free and non-sectarian.

For more info, contact Dianne Kinsey at: 401-286-7193 or Tikster12@yahoo.com