If we work to change our thoughts,
we can change our lives.
About Tracey Kreiling
Experience isn't what has made my life, it's what I choose to do with it, to impact others, that, in the end, will matter.
Raised in a small town in Delaware to parents who were always welcoming and helpful to others, I feel I was given the gift of compassion. The lyrics of the song, In Some Small Way, sung by Celine Dion in 2004, have been a constant in my life and a reminder to me that, offering kindness unselfishly and giving of myself to others, will positively impact my life.
Upon being introduced to meditation in 2014, I immediately felt my life had been preparing me to become a daily meditation practitioner. Learning different methods of mindfulness became my passion. Along the way, I’ve found a deeper Love of myself, patience for the humanness of Others and a new Respect for “Mother Earth”.
In 2023, with a need to bring movement back to my body, after a stint of injuries and medical procedures for Melanoma, I returned to yoga, and found movement I hadn’t experienced in years. In an effort to continue offering a variety of mindful practices to others, I’ve begun training for my Yoga Certification and look forward to incorporating Mindful Movement into my offerings.
A Walking Mantra -
With Each Step, I Kiss The Earth
Sitting/Movement Mantra -
Breathe In Trust, Breathe Out Joy
Sitting/Movement Mantra -
Breathing In, I let go, Breathing Out, I feel free
Try an Active Mantra -
Breathing In I wash this glass, Breathing Out I rinse this glass
It is a constant “Practice”, to live mindfully and in doing so, I have found a liberating of my mind and a sense of peace in my life. I’m an infant in this way of life, but feel compelled to bring what I know to others.
My goal is to continue my education in a variety of mindfulness methods. To offer practical ways to live life in a mindful way. To provide guidance to becoming a practitioner in a way that will feel right and real to you. I’ve got a long way to go, but equal amounts of enthusiasm to Practice regularly and share what I learn.
Learning & Teaching
Plum Village
July of 2016, 7 Day attendance at Plum Village, Bordeaux, France
The largest international practice center in the Plum Village tradition, the first monastic community founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) in the West. While there, I deepened my mindfulness practice, learned more about ways to live simply and harmoniously with the world around me. I had the pleasure of experiencing the art of mindful communal living.
Considered a true blessing, during my week in the Plum Village, I was under the tutelage of Sister Chan Khong, the first fully-ordained monastic disciple of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and the director of his humanitarian projects since the 1960’s.
While there, I studied and received the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Sister Peace giftem me the Dharma name, “Loving Friend of the Heart”. The trainings are nonsectarian, and their nature is universal. They are true practices of compassion and understanding.
The first training is to protect life
The Second training is to practice social justice
The Third is the practice of responsible sexual behavior
The Fourth is the practice of deep listening and loving speech
The Fifth is about mindful consumption
2015 Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator Training
Instructor Kay Mutert
Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator Training prepares individuals to introduce others to the labyrinth in an articulate, professional and effective way. The training addresses meditative walking in a variety of settings, with a variety of different populations. It is focused primarily on the Eleven Circuit Medieval Labyrinth but is inclusive of all forms.
May 2016 Walking Meditation Training
Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit Temple housing meditation center and the oldest Buddhist university
Students practice Vipassana meditation, also known as “insight meditation”. I attended a 3 hour sitting and walking group meditation class. Spent a morning at Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai the wondrous and holy temple of Wat Phra Thatwhich is located near the top of Doi Suthep (Mount Suthep). Took part in one of the most sacred Lao traditions, the Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony. Despite being a highly revered ritual for locals, visitors are encouraged to be involved as long as a level of respect is maintained throughout. Alms giving takes place daily as the sun rises, beginning on the main street of Luang Prabang before spreading out to all the side streets. The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of a day.
Peace Club Facilitator - 2014 & 2015 School Year
Chicago Lights, In2it Cafe
In2It Café is a thirty-minute enrichment class of for 1st - 11th grade CPS students who attend Chicago Lights. Class subjects include meditation, art, science club, chess, acting, dance, computers, and digital music. The goal is to offer as many unique and interesting opportunities as possible, to students whose opportunities are limited. During Peace Club, the children enjoy learning about various methods of meditation, including walking labyrinths, meditative art and more. In addition, I created supplemental take home materials, based on the book My Meditation Book, created by Peace Club creators Janice Lewis, Regan Burke and Mark Melton.
Mindful Manners Matter Curriculum Creator & Facilitator- 2016 School Year
Chicago Lights, In2it Cafe
Over 8 weeks, the Manners Matter Curriculum will cover social, cell phone and computer etiquette. The program is interactive and students receive a weekly take home sheet and a Manners Matter Student Manual at the end of the session.
Mindful Movement - 2023
In 2022, I began working with Yoga Renew, to become a certified Yoga Instructor. I have been teaching for little over a year now, with the goal of bringing movement to “Every Body” and “Every Body Type and Ability”. Incorporating mindfulness, perfectly imperfect movement and breath, is what Yoga will be all about at the Mindful Movement Yoga Studio. It’s what makes it a perfect fit, for a Practically Mindful Life!