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Sister Elaine MacInnes OC OLM (7 April 1924 – 29 November 2022) was a Canadian Catholic nun and Zen master who dedicated her life to promote healing and transformation through meditation. She was known for her work in prisons, where she introduced meditation as a tool for rehabilitation and healing.
Early life and education
editElaine MacInnes was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. She was the eldest of six children in a devout Catholic family. MacInnes displayed an early talent for music, which led her to pursue higher education at Mount Allison University, where she earned a degree in music. Her academic journey continued at The Juilliard School in New York City. After completing her studies, she returned to Canada, where she taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Calgary and played violin with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.[1][2]
Catholicism, zen, and meditation
editMacInnes became a nun in 1953, joining the order of Our Lady's Missionaries. She was driven by a deep desire to serve others and to seek spiritual growth. Her first placement was overseas in Japan, where she taught violin. It was during this period that she became interested in meditation. In the early 1970s, MacInnes studied Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Yamada Koun at the Sanbo Kyodan in Japan. She became a Zen master (Roshi) and integrated her understanding of Zen meditation with her Catholic faith, emphasizing the universal aspects of spiritual practice.[3][4][5]
Work in Prisons
editMacInnes began teaching meditation in prisons in the Philippines in 1980.[6] She was invited by a group of prisoners who had been tortured and sought solace through meditation. Her work assisted prisoners in transitioning from a mindset of anger and tension to positivity and hope. In the 1990s, MacInnes worked with the Phoenix Prison Trust in the United Kingdom, an organization that offers meditation and yoga to prisoners. During this time, she developed a close professional relationship with actor Jeremy Irons[7], who is a patron of the Trust. Irons supported MacInnes' efforts and helped raise awareness about the benefits of meditation and yoga as a rehabilitative tool in prisons.
Freeing the Human Spirit
editIn 2004, MacInnes founded Freeing the Human Spirit, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to bringing yoga and meditation to inmates. She retired from active leadership in 2013,[8]after expanding the organization to 28 prisons across Canada. In 2024, the organization announced the Sister Elaine MacInnes Community Impact Award to honor individuals who share the tools of yoga and meditation in impactful ways.
Publications
editMacInnes authored several books, focusing on meditation, spirituality, and her experiences. Some of her notable works include:
- Light Sitting in Light: A Christian's Experience in Zen (1992) ISBN 9780006279488 ASIN 0006279481[9]
- The Flowing Bridge: Guidance on Beginning Zen Koans (2008)[10]
- Zen Contemplation for Christians (2012)[11]
- Freeing the Spirit through Meditation and Yoga by Sandy Chubb, Korky Paul, and Sister Elaine MacInnes (1995)[12][13]
Recognition and honors
editIn 2001, MacInnes was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of her contributions to prison rehabilitation through meditation. This honor acknowledged her work both in the United Kingdom and the Philippines, highlighting her international impact.[14][15]
Death and legacy
editMacInnes died on 29 November 2022.[16][17][18] Her legacy continues through the ongoing work of Freeing the Human Spirit and the annual Sister Elaine MacInnes Community Impact Award, which recognizes outstanding yoga and meditation instructors in Canada.
References
edit- ^ "Catholic nun taught inmates to find freedom through Zen meditation". The Globe and Mail. 16 December 2022.
- ^ "Finding your Zen | Mount Allison". Mount Allison University.
- ^ "Zen brings quiet solitude to solitary". The Globe and Mail. 4 June 2007.
- ^ "Not Broken: Nun, Zen Teacher, Prisoner Ally Sister Elaine MacInnes". 7 December 2014.
- ^ "Sitting Sermon".
- ^ "The Fires That Burn – the Life and Work of Sister Elaine MacInnes May Street Productions".
- ^ "Sister Elaine MacInnes".
- ^ Stassen, Joanne (January 7, 2017). "Yoga behind bars: Classes at Yellowknife jail help inmates keep calm, improve attitudes". CBC News.
- ^ "Light Sitting in Light by Elaine MacInnes | Review | Spirituality & Practice".
- ^ MacInnes, Elaine (28 November 2007). The Flowing Bridge: Guidance on Beginning Zen Koans. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0861715459.
- ^ MacInnes, Elaine (2003). Zen Contemplation for Christians. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781580511339.
- ^ "Sister Elaine Macinnes - AbeBooks".
- ^ Chubb, Sandy; MacInnes, Elaine (2006-06-05). Freeing The Spirit Through Meditation And Yoga. The Prison Phoenix Trust. ISBN 0955033403.
- ^ "Elaine MacInnes".
- ^ "The Reverend Sister Elaine Rita MacInnes". The Governor General of Canada.
- ^ "22 influential people who died in 2022". The Globe and Mail. 31 December 2022.
- ^ "Remembering the Zen nun Sr Elaine MacInnes".
- ^ "Remembering the life of Sister Elaine MacInnes OLM". Telegraph-Journal.