Due to Easter break and retreats the next meeting is the 18th April.
A meditation for you to enjoy in the meantime: On each outbreath count 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (not all in one go!). Go on take the challenge, I bet you don’t get past 6 without sailing away on a thought. Have some fun with it and any replies for how you get on would be great.
With a deep bow, John.
The guided meditation developed concentration with the breath by counting up to 10 and then back down again on each out breath. Maintaining an upright, relaxed posture with eyes open help to maintain the practice. Often considered a exercise for beginners, meditation experts beware!
The reading was from Everyday Zen by Charlotte Beck. Challenging, irritating, needling our little minds……just this moment, smile, you have already arrived. After all, what else is there?
The guided meditation was aimed at maintaining awareness of posture and wakefulness. This formal practice of Zazen offers the ideal frame in which we can be in our experience of mind and body. We identified the two types of thinking, body sensations and how simply keeping your eyes open can change the experience of meditation. To stay connected with the group, to support others and be supported in the practice.
The reading from ‘Living Zen’ by Charlotte Beck offered Whirlpools in the stream of life as a powerful image of both impermenance and the importance of allowing the universe to live through you.
The reading was from The Discourse on Five Ways of putting an end to Anger. How we can direct our attention to peoples positive attributes to act with skillful kindness. And when we cannot see any positive elements to see them with eyes of compassion, understanding their suffering.
The plant cuttings in the vase flowered beautifully, the evening sky offered a moment to pause and be, sharing from the heart gave an opportunity to support each other on the path.
The guided meditation followed Thays Love meditation, developing the energy of warmth and kindness towards ourselves, others and the world around us. After reciting the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings the discussion was around depression and how we can best offer support. Simply being present with someone can help alleviate their suffering without neccesarily offering solutions. Geniune acceptance of someones pain can be hugely transformative as the space offered is free of our own agendas. Help needs to come from a place of compassion rather than judging other peoples apparant shortcomings. If judgements arise, we can notice them and return to breath and body.
Breathing in I smile to the perceptions of my discriminating mind, Breathing out, I water the seeds of warmth and acceptance in my heart.