Loving presence is an innate capacity, and it can be cultivated. This meditation begins with a scan arousing a relaxed tender presence in the body, then brings loving attention to our inner life, and in widening circles, to our world.
Establish mindfulness with the experience of a feeling body, the most fundamental source of feeling. Use a wide form of attention that covers the whole body. As phenomena are changing the mind is still with receptivity and deep listening. The nature of sati doesn’t react to feeling. The feeling can be felt, without blaming, criticizing or getting involved. When feeling isn’t given any more food, it becomes more equanimous.
Instructions and Guided Meditation describe 4 ways of practicing with Emotions: 1. Label it 2. Feel the Emotion in the Body 3. Space as a Support 4. Noticing the emotion changes
This talk offers reflections on honoring the Winter Solstice through beginning our path again with preliminary instructions on Insight meditation. The talk is followed by a 30 minute guided meditation.
Release whatever wants to be let go of in this moment. Let yourself become loving awareness itself. Feel yourself relax with each breath. You can nourish, connect, and come to rest. As you feel the breath come and go, there will likely be a stream of thoughts. Bow to your thoughts and say to yourself, “I love it when they come, and I love it when they go.” You can rest here and now in the reality of the present.
Building on Samatha practice, we begin to include physical sensations and sound in our practice. This meditation also offers pointers on working with unpleasant sensations.
