Emerald Coast Meditation Society

10/18/2026

Our 8th Day of Mindfulness at the beautiful Quan Am Nam Hai Monastery in Panama City - presided over by the honorable Thich Thanh Dieu Giac and sponsored by the Emerald Coast Meditation Society (ECMS) and the Gulf Coast Community of Mindfulness (GCCOM)

Photo of Master Tran, Dianne Kinsey (ECMS) and Whitney Davidson (GCCOM). Highlight of the day was ringing the great one ton bell imported from Vietnam - generating peace within while sending energy vibrations into the world

10/14/2026

Come Ring the Bell of Peace!

Join us for our 8th Day of Mindfulness at the beautiful Quan Am Nam Hai Monastery in Panama City from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm on this Saturday, October 17, 2026. Perfect fall weather is predicted.

In a world troubled by conflict, division, and uncertainty, we invite you to spend a day of cultivating peace within ourselves, building community with like-minded people and extending that peace into the world.

Sponsored by the Emerald Coast Meditation Society and the Gulf Coast Community of Mindfulness. All faiths are welcomed.

The day will be presided over by the Abbess of the monastery, the honorable Thich Thanh Dieu Giac, also known as Master Tran. She will lead us throughout the day beginning with Qi-gong, sitting and walking meditations along the monastery's beautiful paths. At midday, we will share a vegan lunch by the creek followed by a total body-mind relaxation with Whitney Davidson from GCCOM. In the afternoon, the Abbess will offer a talk followed by heartfelt sharing of those present.

One of the special experiences of the day will be an opportunity for each participant to invite the great bell of peace to ring. The bell imported from Vietnam weighs over a ton and resonates powerfully near and far.

Our day ends with fond farewells and a deep sense of gratitude.

Registration will be on site at the monastery at 8:30am - 9:00am on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Recommended donation is $50.00
If you plan to attend, please respond to Dianne Kinsey no later than Friday morning on October 16th at: [email protected] or text at 401-286-7193

Quan Am Nam Hai Monastery is located at 1309 North Star Avenue, Panama City, FL 32404

09/29/2026

All meditators and practitioners of mindfulness are warmly invited to our monthly ECMS virtual evening of meditation. On Thursday, October 1st at 6:30 - 8:00 pm CST, Ken Roman will continue his series on the Pathway to Presence. His focus will be “Untethering from the illusion of Separation”, a topic some of us experience through a disciplined practice of meditation.

Ken is a gifted spiritual teacher who translates deep profound wisdom into clear, accessible everyday understanding.

ECMS meets monthly online on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 - 8:00 pm CST. Our Zoom link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87018683894

We begin with a silent meditation followed by Ken’s presentation and time for questions, discussion and sharing led by co-host Fred Forseman.

I hope you will join us on Thursday evening for this time of sitting, listening and sharing. Feel free to share this free event with those who might be interested in a mindful practice and/or meditation. Newcomers are always welcome!

Brief Bio of Ken Roman
Ken brings a rich mind-body perspective through his training in meditation, yoga, tai chi, qi-gong and martial arts where he holds a 4th degree black belt. He lives in Panama City where he hosted a radio program on the Pathway Process for the past year. He’s a long time member of ECMS and a favorite guest speaker at monthly virtual

Photo of Ken Roman

09/20/2026

Calling all Meditators and Mindfulness Practitioners to our 8th Day of Mindfulness at the serene Quan Am Nam Monastery in Panama City with the venerable Thich Thanh Dieu Giac, also known as Master Tran, presiding.

Mark you calendars for Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. On this special day, each participant will have the opportunity to invite the powerful bell to ring far and wide. Our eating meditation will take place as a picnic in the serene pine forest followed by a Yoga Nidra.

As in the past, the day will begin with a lively qi-gong followed by sitting and walking meditations on the beautiful grounds of the monastery.
The day will end with a Dharma talk by Master Tran and group sharing.

Registration begins at 8:30 am at the monastery and will end at 4:00 pm. Suggested donation is $50.00 that includes lunch picnic.

This event is sponsored by the Emerald Coast Meditation Society and The Gulf Coast Community of Mindfulness.

For further information, please contact: Dianne Kinsey at [email protected] or Whitney Davidson at Gulf Coast Community of Mindfulness.

08/28/2026

We are delighted to welcome back Norm Capra who will share his deep interest in Death from a Stoic Meditation Perspective at our Zoom gathering - Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 6:30 - 8:00 pm CST.

Norm is a retired neuroscientist who settled with his wife Mary Jo in Panama Beach City. The two are members of ECMS and passionate environmental activists with strong connection to the Audubon Society.

This Thursday, Norm invites us to turn toward a subject we often avoid, yet one that is an essential part of being human: our immortality. Through the Stoic practice of contemplating death, we may discover that reflecting on death is not simply about preparing for the end of life, but about learning to live more fully and consciously in the life that we have now.

I hope you can join us on Thursday, September 3rd, 6:30 - 8:00 PM CST on Zoom: https:us06web.zoom.us/j/87018683894

For further information about this event, please contact Dianne Kinsey at: [email protected]

08/12/2026

Morning meditation in the Japanese Garden of the Destin Library- every second Tuesday of the month at 9:00 - 1030. Guest speaker, Felicia Crawford spoke on “When Life Changes Direction —A Lesson in Zen.’ Following sitting and walking meditation through the garden, we shared group reflection of the day.
We were especially pleased to welcome two young newcomers, visitors from Serbia whose optimism and hope for the future of humanity inspired all of us.
ECMS welcomes all to this free monthly event and is non-sectarian.
For more information about ECMS, please contact Dianne Kinsey at: [email protected]

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

Join us in the Japanese Garden of the Destin Library on Tuesday morning at 9:00 - 10:30 AM, August 11th for our monthly Walking Meditation with guest speaker Jason Crawford. His topic is “Maritime Mindfulness” —all are welcome to this free and non-sectarian event.

Jason Crawford hails from the coast of California, where his lifelong love of the ocean first took root. After relocating to Florida eight years ago, he turned that passion into a profession, serving as a licensed boat captain along the Emerald Coast. Whether guiding charter guests, delivering yachts, or navigating Gulf’s ever-changing waters, Jason has discovered that the sea is one of life’s greatest teachers.

In his talk, Maritime Mindfulness, Jason will share how awareness, presence, and respect for nature aren’t just principles of Eastern Philosophy and Tradition —they’re essential qualities of a good captain. Through stories from the water, he’ll explore how the ocean continually invites us to slow down, pay attention, and trust the wisdom found in each moment.

The morning will include sitting and walking meditations in the garden led by Dianne Kinsey and master gardener Velda Dougherty.

See you in the garden! 🌱 🌺 🌱

Photo of Japanese Garden and Captain Jason Crawford

For further information about the Emerald Coast Meditation, please contact Dianne Kinsey at email: [email protected]