Though we receive lots of instructions for our meditation practice on retreats, let’s face it – we spend a lot of time thinking. What do we think about? At the heart of these movements of the mind is answering the questions, “Am I OK?”, “Was I OK?”, and “Will I be OK?” Our obsession with these questions is the cause of a huge amount of restlessness. Restlessness is one of the major hindrances to calming the mind and deepening our meditation, and can be seen as both the cause and the effect of all the other hindrances. The Buddha also talked about this kind of thinking, and called it unwise attention that leads to all kinds of suffering. We need to look at the core issues that lead us to dwell on these questions if we are to create a more skilful relationship to our thoughts.

Though mindfulness meditation instructions generally suggest paying attention to what is predominant, focusing on overwhelming emotions especially those rooted in trauma is often not beneficial. This talk, which includes the Buddha's teachings on working with difficult emotions as well as theory from Somatic Experiencing (SE)—an approach to working with trauma—explores how to work with intense emotions by touching them a little at a time.

Guided meditation instructions on first day of weekend retreat.

What does it means to be awake from moment to moment? Do you have difficulties in finding balance in your life? Are you centered and grounded in your daily life? We will explore the last two of the seven factors of awakening: Concentration and Equanimity. When mindfulness and concentration practice gains momentum, we will begin to find balance in our daily life. Equanimity will organically arise and serve as a supporting factor on the path to inner-peace, true happiness and final awakening. The day will include mindfulness of walking, sitting, standing, discussion group, guided meditation instructions, question and answer session, and Dhamma talks.

This recording also includes Catherine McGee

This recording also includes Yanai Postelnik