Jim Rose METUCHEN — Stress is a fact of life. Whether related to work, school, money, traffic or relationships, it can wreak havoc on people’s lives and health.
But while some stress may be unavoidable, how one handles it is key to creating a peaceful life, according to Jim Rose, an expert in the art of meditation.
“That’s basically what meditation is — it’s shifting your attention from the stressful things in your life,” he said. “… And the idea is for a period of time every day you just take the time to put yourself someplace really peaceful,” he said.
Those who think that’s easier said than done can receive some free firsthand instruction from Rose himself when he offers two workshops at Edison libraries this month.
At 7 p.m. June 4, Rose will present “Meditation: Improving Our Practice, Experiencing the Love Within” at the Edison Branch Library. At 7 p.m. June 10, he will present “Meditation: The Art of Stress Reduction” at the Edison Main Library.
Rose, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in educational psychology from Rutgers University, said the June 10 workshop is the more basic of the two, giving attendees a beginner’s framework for starting out in meditation.
“[The June 4 workshop] is a little deeper dive into the practice of meditation,” he said. “This will be a little bit more on the ‘how.’ ”
At both sessions, Rose will give attendees a chance to practice meditation, and will answer questions and share the knowledge he has gleaned from 35 years of meditation practice.
It all started during his time as an executive at Johnson & Johnson. Rose — recognized by Human Resources Executive magazine as one of the top executives in his field nationwide — and others were tasked with implementing an employee wellness program.
“One of things we offered … we basically created a place where people could go and sit for 20 minutes and just de-stress,” he said. “That was my very first taste of meditation.”
From there, the now-retired Rose began experimenting with various types of meditation, eventually choosing third-eye meditation for his practice. It involves focusing one’s attention on the third eye, or seat of the soul, located on one’s forehead just above the area between the eyebrows.
“When you put your attention there, it’s connecting you to your own center of peace,” Rose said. “After a while of doing this, you actually see a light.”
Focusing one’s attention on something is a useful tool in learning to meditate, according to Rose. The ultimate goal of meditation is to still the mind, he said.
“But boy, stilling the mind is a bear,” he added.
For this reason, he suggests that people employ a mantra in their practice.
“A mantra is nothing more than a higher thought,” he said. “You think about something beautiful, something peaceful, something loving. It’s recharging your battery with love.”
Rose even suggests that people inwardly repeat their mantra throughout the day when faced with stressful situations.
“Do your mantra and watch how peaceful you remain,” he said.
One example of a mantra Rose suggests is “I am love; I am peace.” Or for those who are spiritual or religious, he offers “God is love; God is peace.”
“I don’t try to be religious or spiritual; I just try to give people a way of connecting with this,” he said.
And if one looks at the research on meditation’s benefits, connecting with it is a worthwhile endeavor for everyone, Rose said. Benefits include improved physical and emotional health; a more focused and productive work life; and better management of stress, anger and conflict, according to Rose.
But the perks of quieting the mind go beyond that, perhaps to even changing the world, he added. Rose said meditation is a way of experiencing the love within, and that experience becomes the catalyst for putting love, compassion and forgiveness out into the world.
“It helps in every aspect of our lives — and it’s free,” he said.
The thousands of workshops Rose has given around the world are free, too. After studying and practicing for decades, he wants to share what he’s found with others. Doing so is in line with Science of Spirituality, the organization to which he and his wife, Susan, belong.
“One of the things we believe is that we should be doing things to help society,” he said, adding that the organization just opened a meditation center in Perth Amboy.
Along with practicing meditation, Rose and his wife follow the tenets of the organization that prescribe a nonviolent lifestyle and a vegetarian diet, he said. Susan is set to provide vegetarian talks and cooking classes at the center.
The Edison Branch Library is at 777 Grove Ave., Edison. The Edison Main Library is at 340 Plainfield Ave., Edison. For information, call 732-548-3045 or 732-287-2298.
For more information on the Science of Spirituality, visit www.sos.org.