This settling process of concentrating our “minding” attention or “watchful” observation has 4 stages: (i). First, we openly and receptively learn to let go of distracting inner objects— such as feelings, thoughts, attractions, and aversions, as well as all outer objects; (ii). Second, our deliberate intention and effort to “sit” brings about a serene […]
Life is practice and we practice life. Sit, smile & be happy.
Mindfulness is an antidote to our unwholesome habits. Mindsight is an antidote to our obscurity. Sit, smile & be happy.
In true liberation there is nothing to want, nothing to discard, no place to go, and no place to avoid. Sit, smile & be happy.
This brief checklist for preparing your meditation practice was written by Stephan Bodian, an internationally celebrated meditation teacher and a licensed psychotherapist specializing in stress management and positive psychology. He is the author of several books, including Meditation For Dummies®, and the former editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal. Just Do It Checklist: • Quiet space– if […]
One doesn’t practice to become enlightened of their own being, but when it happens it is like waking up from a dream. Sit, smile & be happy.
Life has a way of breaking into our awareness when our response to it isn’t adequate. Sit, smile & be happy.
Refining our inner capacities of free attention and open awareness is an integral part of our contemplative training. We refer to this reflexive lens for “inner seeing” as “mindsight”. The more we practice, the more refined this instrument becomes for seeing within- for seeing both precisely and expansively things as they are. When focused and […]
Today- take a moment or two and reflect on your doing. Select a simple task and observe whether there is any extraneous thinking that accompanies your action… Sit, smile & be happy.
How does thinking about your tasks affect doing your tasks? Is your mind focused on your task directly or divided among other activities? Sit, smile & be happy.