Local Physician Finishes Meditation Fellowship, Completes Book Of Poetry

Meditation has been an important part of Dr. Mark Zilkoski’s life since 1992, and he recently learned more about emotional well-being by completing a year-long contemplative medicine fellowship through the New York Zen Center.

“I’ve always been a happy person, but I’m happier and more aware of how happy I am,” Zilkoski said of the impact of meditation for him. He explained the practice increases self awareness and spiritual growth.

He encourages patients who might be struggling with depression, anxiety or anger to consider meditation. “Everybody should do it,” Dr. Z. said.

The fellowship included traveling to the New York Zen Center twice for four-day periods. Other instruction was conducted throughout the week online. He estimates that the fellowship took about 14-16 hours a month. The graduating class consisted of 38 individuals.

Zilkoski has been a certifi ed mindfulness mediation teacher. “Originally, I wanted to be able to teach my patients how to meditate.”

The semi-retired physician feels the additional education could possibly improve his patient care. “I might be more mindful,” he added. Goals include listening more and interacting with patients more in a caring manner.

He explains that he is not a Buddhist, but he is firm believer of psychoanalysis.

During the past five years, he has met with a small group of nine local individuals

(Photo submitted)

who are also seek emotional group. Members perform yoga, visit with each other and then meditate. Zilkoski said he would like to start another group for other people interested in mindfulness.

Zilkoski, who says he was born to meditate, started becoming interested in December 1992 when Father Steve of the Catholic church gave him a pamphlet regarding centering prayer. “I feel in love with it,” Dr. Z. said.

He now meditates between a half hour and an hour daily. But he notes that data shows that meditation just 12 minutes a day can result in the same benefits of improved focus, clarity and emotional well being.

In addition, Zilkoski has just released his first book of poetry regarding mindfulness. “Calculus, Arithmetic, and Other Poems of Mindfulness,” features 40 poems. It took him about two years to finish the book. He said he enjoys the connection between quantum physics and poetry.

Along with the written word, an audio will also be released featuring him reading his own poems. “I know how they should be read. I wrote it,” he explained.

The book is his second publication after publishing daily reflections in 2000.

He plans to write more poems and produce another book a couple of years down the line. He admits the process can be time consuming though.

“It’s always the last two lines,” Zilkoski said of the poems. “It seems to flow easily until the last two lines.”