In this meditation, we begin by visualizing benefactors offering us kindness, care and acceptance. We practice to truly let this in, and fill our bodies and minds. Then we begin to generate it for ourselves. (Gratitude to John Makransky for inspiration from his "Receiving the Healing, Liberating Power of Love" meditation.)
From the first morning of the IMCW 2017 New Year’s retreat, Tara offers an introductory meditation with a body scan, bringing focus to the breath, sounds, then resting in awareness.
Agitation is a result of favoring and opposing experience. Meditation is about bringing body, heart and mind together to meet experience without favoring or opposing. Hindrances can be cleared from this unified place.
Energy is affected by intention. If we approach meditation with an intense need to calm and find a focus, we probably won’t be able to. This very aim affects our breathing and sense of ease. Make the aim about purification, letting things be how they are without getting intense about it.
The body can self-reference. It knows when it’s in balance, what upright is, and can relax what’s not needed. When the physical form becomes comfortable, bring attention to the bodily mood. Mind can pick up tones of firm, open, confident from the body.
Formal meditation is helpful, but we need to cultivate careful attention throughout the day. Use mind skilfully to bond attention in the body. Notice the body’s own intelligence. Attention becomes less like a scientist, more like a healer – the good friend.
A talk between meditations given on day 2 of an 8-day meditation retreat by Ven. Pannavati (after a teaching on the 10 impediments by Ven. Pannadipa), followed by a song by Dr. Hall "It's in Stillness that Truth Abides"
