John E. Welshons does not shy away from difficult topics such as grief and loss. He accepts these complex emotions that are inevitable in his life. Whether it’s grief, anxiety, stress, or depression, Wellsions has helped people overcome it all.
Workaround
Welshons is a spiritual teacher and author. In her book, Welshons teaches readers different coping strategies to help them overcome life’s difficult moments. Ms. Welshons also does this at Van Vleck House & Gardens. Every Wednesday, Wellsions holds a virtual meditation class and regularly hosts the “Awakening from Sadness: Finding Your Way Back to Joy” workshop.
“When it comes to our culture, grief is taboo. People don’t want to talk about it until it’s right in front of them,” Welshons said.
Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed a bill requiring schools to teach about grief. Initiatives like this work towards normalizing grief. “I think this culture gives us very unrealistic expectations about life. The truth is that there are inevitable disappointments, losses and sadness in life,” Welshons said. .
In his two-part grief workshop, Welshons invites those who have experienced grief and loss with him to open up about their feelings. Participants hear each other’s stories and realize they don’t have to deal with these life changes alone.
“One of the problems we have is that when a loved one dies, people tend to react as if the universe has made some kind of mistake or singled them out to suffer. ” he says. “What really creates support is the community and all of us coming together.”
Welshons doesn’t expect participants to fully heal from their loss during the workshop. But his goal is something simple: hope. He said, “One of the things I hear most often is someone say to me, ‘It feels like I’ve really turned the corner and been able to love again.'”
peaceful escape
Welshons uses mindfulness to reduce the stress of daily life in her weekly meditation classes at Van Vleck House. Ms. Welshons began meditating when she was 18 years old. During his teenage years, he suffered from depression and anxiety. Welshons said his parents abused alcohol and his father was violent. “When I was in high school, I was a very depressed and anxious adolescent,” Welshons said. “Someone, somewhere, whispered in my ear, ‘Wait a minute, it might get better.'” It did get better. When Welshons entered university, he began studying Eastern philosophy, where he learned about meditation. When he first tried meditation, Welshons found the act familiar, he said.
Our problems are often caused by the fact that our mind is constantly dancing towards the future or the past. ”
John Welshons.
“I felt like I’d done it before and I knew how to do it,” he said. “I keep doing it because I don’t feel good if I don’t. It calms me down and helps me get clarity.”
Wellshons wants everyone to experience this feeling he’s aiming for with virtual meditation. He describes meditation as “paying attention.”
“We focus on what’s happening in the present. Our problems are often caused by the fact that our minds are always dancing towards the future or the past,” he said. . Participants focus on the act of breathing to calm themselves.
“This is a natural habit that allows you to get in touch with your own inner resources. I’ve seen these practices help many people,” he said. “I think it certainly deserves a more meaningful place in our society.”
Sign up here to attend a mediation class at Van Vleck House (21 Van Vleck St).
