the still hummingbird

Being present has always been a struggle for me. Sure, I have been present for family and friends, volunteering, my career, my community; but not for myself. The more I could take on, the more productive I was, the more worth I thought I had. But I was deeply unhappy. I was tired. I was soul weary. 

 

I had an accident at the beginning of the COVID-19 quarantine. I spent weeks on my couch, too injured to walk. Too injured to do more than sit. My focus shifted from bettering myself to allowing myself to heal. In that healing, Jill Brenek offered to help guide me through meditation. Jill helped me to see meditation not as a challenge that I would fail if I didn’t get right away. In fact, we didn’t set any long term goals. She instinctively knew that what I needed more than anything was stillness and breath. 

 

We couldn’t meet face to face so we began over video. She patiently helped me find my center. Jill gently led me to myself through meditation. There, I found that I could listen to myself. I could take this time to sit and mindfully engage and focus. It was never about a goal or achievement. I wasn’t supposed to master anything. I only had to breath and sit. Jill met me where I was. With grace and lack of judgement, she helped me develop a practice that has become an essential part of my day. 

 

Today, months later, I am present for myself primarily. I have also found that through meditation, I am present in a more meaningful way for those around me. My meditation practice is part of my everyday.

 

I would not have gotten here without my teacher, Jill. Her open heart and direct style, while sharing her own path, made meditation accessible for me. I now know how to listen to the most important voice, my own. 

~Saida "Saydi” S.

South Pasadena, CA

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Jill unlocked the concept of meditation for me. She takes an educated path based on study, her own experiences, and an innate understanding of what meditation can do for you. She has lived it and she understands how to connect the dots for a student. For me, that meant a unique journey to be able to understand why meditation matters, then the structure of meditation as a means to build a foundation for your own emotional, mental, and philosophical center, and then put it in practice.

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I’ve been very impressed with my own progress, which she has calmly helped me discover. There is no pressure. There is no expectation of what it “has” to be for you. It is about the journey. It will continue for me and I am very pleased that it started with Jill’s teaching.

~Jared S.

Austin, TX