How can we use our body to reconnect with the present moment?

John Martin gently guides us into the practice of returning to the body as a doorway to presence. He shares how disconnection from the body often means disconnection from our hearts, leading to mind-wandering or emotional reactivity. He reminds us of the Buddha’s wisdom—that the body is a precious opportunity for awakening—and emphasizes the importance of repeatedly coming back with kindness, not judgment.

John shares a powerful insight into his personal journey with chronic physical pain. Rather than resisting, he learned to meet pain with care and curiosity, discovering layers of tension, fear, and anger— ultimately achieving peace through non-reactivity.

His technique of holding 10-20% of attention on the breath during activities like watching ballet shows how even partial presence can deepen joy.

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John Martin teaches Vipassana (Insight), Metta (Loving Kindness) and LGBTQIA+ meditation retreats. He leads an ongoing weekly Monday evening meditation group in San Francisco. He serves as Co-chair of the Guiding Teachers Council for Spirit Rock. His practice has been supported by twelve years as a hospice volunteer, including five years at Shanti Project during the AIDS crisis and seven years with the Zen Hospice project.
Find his upcoming events at: https://calendar.spiritrock.org/event-speaker/john-martin/