010 Mark Dillon: Anxiety and Suffering to Employment at the World Class Insight Meditation Society

For almost a decade, Mark Dillon has worked at some of the largest and oldest mindfulness retreat centers in the Western world, with thousands of visitors every year. Mark is well known for his excellent work atorganizing everything that goes on at these retreats. Mark is also a speaker and podcaster on his popular podcast, Organize Mindfully.

Contact Info

• Company:
• Website: www.OrganizeMindfully.com
• Blog:
• Podcast:

Most Influential Person

• Ajahn Chah (Monk)

Effect on Emotions

• Mindfulness has allowed me to see it and to be aware that I might be charged and not necessarily react out of that charge. To not react intently, just react appropriately.

Thoughts on Breathing

• Mindfulness and breathing are one and the same. It's the anchor, the way I stay in touch with this moment. If I'm sitting on the cushion, to really bring myself into this moment, I'll just use the breath, and just notice that I'm breathing. Sometimes I notice it in the nostrils, sometimes I notice the rising and the falling of the abdomen. Wherever it is, I'll tune in to that and use that as my anchor and then as the mind wanders, which of course it will, as soon as I notice that wandering, I come back to where I was noticing the breath and use that and just keep practicing with it.

Suggested Resources

• Book: A Still Forest Pool by Ajahn Chah
• App: Pomodoro App (There are many)

Advice for Newbie

1. Find a group of like-minded people who you can get together with on a regular basis, and connect with them.
2. Find either a book or a teacher you can connect with (as opposed to many books). Having one book or teacher allows me to be a little more focused.