The Power of Meditation

Jan 21

Meditation is the art of stabilizing the mind to create awareness and a calmness that helps to heal the body, mind and spirit.

I am an exploding ball of energy, or as my father would fondly say, “you are my thoroughbred.” He raised horses and his thoroughbreds were high stepping, agitated, overly nervous and always the first out of the gate and the first back to the barn.

For me, learning to control my thoughts, which are like a boomerang on steroids, has always been a struggle. My thoughts leave my brain and then return within a split second and before I know it I am going down another rabbit hole. I am aware how important it is to calm my thoughts because only then can I feel solace and contentment.

Meditation entered my life back in the 1970s while living in Cambridge, Ma., surrounded by the counter-culture movement that sought out eastern philosophies to “take us higher.” Buddhism teaches us that our minds create our reality. The power of karma, the study of yoga, the solace of meditation and the exploration of Buddhism as a way of life became a life-long study for me and my husband.

Meditation is a form of mindfulness that has helped me embrace my growing old, and at 74 I am old, although in my mind and body, I feel decades younger. Perhaps my meditation practice allows me to feel so much younger than my age because there is a deep and profound healing in taking this quiet and resolute time for myself to do what some call “mindful living.”

Much of human suffering begins in the mind so it makes sense that in order to quiet the mind and find peace, we need to create non-judgmental awareness. I believe mediation opens our minds and allows us to get out of our own way so that we can open up our hearts for others. Quite simply, it allows us to transcend our own driven ego and look beyond our own selves to the selves—the needs—of others.

I do not find it easy even after all these years to still my mind. As I have become older, so much more seems to live in my brain. Therefore, this practice is even more important now than when I was younger.

Also, at my age breathing is more critical than ever and meditation is all about breath. It also prepares us to embrace the inevitability of our death. It helps us to cultivate wisdom, compassion and strive for enlightenment so when death comes we can greet her with our arms open and our minds ready to embrace the next chapter of our soul’s development.

Melinda Moulton

In May of 2022, Melinda Moulton joined her husband Rick Moulton as Executive Producer of the documentary film company they both founded in 1972. Rick Moulton Productions. She was involved in environmental and socially conscious redevelopment since 1983. Melinda provided the leadership to produce a 40-year incremental redevelopment project for the Burlington Vermont Waterfront, and spearheaded 250,000 square feet and thirty million dollars of built environment on Burlington’s Waterfront. Melinda Chaired the Boards of the Burlington Parking & Transportation Council, Burlington Business Association, Vermont Retail Association, and The Intervale Center. She served on the Boards of the YMCA, Lund Family Center, Chittenden East School District, Opportunities Credit Union, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, The Orton Family Foundation, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Main Street Alliance, Vermont Health Care for All, College Steps, The Folklife Center, Audubon Vermont, and the Vermont Arts Council. She was a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. .
She presently serves on the Boards of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England's Action Fund, ACLU-Vermont, and the Williston Restorative Justice Center's Executive Council. Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Melinda to the Vermont Pathways From Poverty and The Vermont Commission on Women. Melinda served on the Advisory Councils of the Vermont Green Building Network, University of Vermont’s 2020 “Leading By Design” Sustainability Task Force, the Childhood Hunger Council of Chittenden County, and Patient Choices Vermont. She participated on the development and ultimate steering committee for the Burlington Legacy Project. She serves as a Trustee of the Community Sailing Center.
Melinda was honored by the Burlington Business Association with the Nathan Harris Award in recognition of her contribution to the economic vitality of downtown Burlington. She was also honored with the Vermont Business for Social Responsibilities Terry Ehrich Award. Melinda hosts her TV Interview Show "Moments with Melinda" on Channel 17, CCTV which is syndicated across the State of Vermont. Episodes can be seen on her web site www.melindamoulton.com.

The Power of Meditation

Who would have believed it?

Me, My Dad and MLK