The Veteran Meditation Retreat

Photo by USAF A1C George Goslin/Use of DOD image doesn't imply endorsement

Saint John's Hospice in Philadelphia has become a stable pillar of aide for many homeless men, including veterans, as the line for a hot meal may indicate. In response to the traumatizing impacts of a nation at war during every generation for more than 100 years, the Life Transition Meditation Center plans a beginning meditation retreat, at no cost to veteran participants. (Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Crystalynn A. Kneen/ Use of US Defense Department images does not imply DoD endorsement)

Photo by Evan Reader

We already have funding support from our sponsor, The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for
American Buddhism. A donation from you of any amount will help the Center sponsor and facilitate this
event next October and perhaps in years to come. You may also call 505.982.4183 to speak personally with our Director and Guiding Teacher, Ralph Steele (U.S. Army Veteran) or email Advisory Board Chair, Debbee Maraglio-Lynn PhD (U.S. Navy Veteran) at dalynn122@gmail.com.

The Veteran Meditation Retreat is a worthwhile and potentially life-changing project that has never been done to this magnitude.

Thank you for your support.

War, by its nature, is traumatizing, and every American generation over the last 100 years has served. The Center’s current, and perhaps most pressing focus, is our military veterans, who represent a mainly silent and underrepresented group in our country that is in crisis. There are unique challenges such as increased risk of suicide, homelessness, and incarceration that American veterans face and for which they need support. Many of these challenges are related to the experiences of long-term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

P&L Statement available upon request

Photo by Rich H Leg

With your support, the Center will cover all expenses ($70,000) for all veteran participants, including travel.

Dowling Charlton applies for health benefits during the Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Stand Down Against Homelessness at the North Charleston Armory. In response to the traumatizing impacts, including homelessness, of a nation at war during every generation for more than 100 years, the Life Transition Meditation Center plans a beginning meditation retreat, at no cost to veteran participants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class George Goslin/ Use of US Defense Department images does not imply DoD endorsement)

The Life Transition Meditation Center is a 30-year-old non-profit organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Our meditation is rooted in evidence-based research in medicine and psychology in combination with the traditional Buddhist practices. The Center teaches and supports meditation as an effective means to calm and heal individuals and our society. Since the 1990’s, our Center has reached out to communities by facilitating men’s groups, intensive youth retreats, and People of Color retreats with an emphasis on creating lasting change. As a result, these individual attendees go on to support our larger community today.

In recognition of these challenges, and the debt we all owe to these men and women, Life Transition Meditation Center plans a beginning meditation retreat from October 13-16, 2023, to support veterans. According to a recent research review, meditation interventions improved PTSD symptoms in all the
studies evaluated (Haider et al., 2021). The meditation retreat will introduce healing tools to individuals living daily with psychological and physical wounds. The venue will be at The Clyde Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, chosen as a location where veterans across the United States can meet to
develop and experience meditation.

Suicide is a national public health crisis and a challenge for veterans. More than 45,000 Americans die by suicide yearly, and general rates, including suicide rates for veterans, are increasing.

There are over 48,000 homeless Veterans that returned from Iraq and Afghanistan living on the streets that they fought to preserve and protect. 1 in 5 of all Veterans returning from today’s conflicts find themselves homeless. America's Homeless Veterans https://www.ahvets.org/about-us/

Incarcerated veterans experience more mental health conditions than the general incarcerated population (Bureau of Justice Statistics 2021).

There are 250,000 veterans using wheelchairs due to traumatic injuries related to their service. There are no current statistics that identify injury-associated psychological and emotional symptoms.