" The Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn has written that the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. It is not as if only others have anger , fear, hatred, greed, and aggression. It is not someone else who is the cause of all the problems in the world, but the nature of all of us together. So it is a very important task in Meditation to learn how to be with the most powerful energies in our own being and to find some compassion, mindfulness and openness in the midst of all of our feelings and emotions."
"...The answer is that this too, is fine. Sometimes the theme of meditation is sleepiness; sometimes it is tears and sorrow; sometimes it is joy. Whatever it is, let the feelings come and go as they will, and that will be your meditation. Sometimes the clouds need to weep themselves to their end, a poet said, in order for us to have the clear sky shine out from behind them. So do not be afraid of what ever feelings arise in meditation. let them be a part of your practice."
~ Jack Kornfield
"...The answer is that this too, is fine. Sometimes the theme of meditation is sleepiness; sometimes it is tears and sorrow; sometimes it is joy. Whatever it is, let the feelings come and go as they will, and that will be your meditation. Sometimes the clouds need to weep themselves to their end, a poet said, in order for us to have the clear sky shine out from behind them. So do not be afraid of what ever feelings arise in meditation. let them be a part of your practice."
~ Jack Kornfield
A lovely gentle reminder to allow whatever is present. If you have been troubled by any part of practice try to cultivate a willingness to look again, to begin again, to allow yourself to be yourself without judgment and with all the feelings, thoughts, emotions. Check in with the sensations in the body and the continuous rhythms of breath anchoring you to the here and now.
As well, if the cushion is not always available try the car, the waiting room, your office chair, even a few minutes of practice keeps the meditation muscle more pliant, supple and helps to keep us developing the habit of awareness.
Finally, adding a new menu practice as we head into the weekend and next week...
Mindfulness in Daily Life: "This Too"
We all have a tendency to push away much of what is showing up in our day, lives, communities, world. THIS TOO practice is to notice whatever is showing up with the mantra, "THIS TOO" as in, "this too is a part of my experience." It's really a practice of inclusion, of acceptance of whatever is arising in the moment. Remember, acceptance of what is arising does not imply a passive acquiescence to the greed, hatred and delusion in our inner and outer worlds. But it is about having an honest, open and spacious relationship with what is happening, noticing our inner reactions, softening to them, being present for the rich spectrum of our lives. From that place we have a much better chance to act out of compassion and wisdom rather than reactivity and aversion. Other versions of "THIS TOO" practice are "YES" practice, and also, "BREATHING IN ACCEPTANCE, BREATHING OUT LETTING GO." Choose whichever...
May your sits and walks be fruitful, may your awareness grow boundless as you discover "this Too"
Love,
Jenn
As well, if the cushion is not always available try the car, the waiting room, your office chair, even a few minutes of practice keeps the meditation muscle more pliant, supple and helps to keep us developing the habit of awareness.
Finally, adding a new menu practice as we head into the weekend and next week...
Mindfulness in Daily Life: "This Too"
We all have a tendency to push away much of what is showing up in our day, lives, communities, world. THIS TOO practice is to notice whatever is showing up with the mantra, "THIS TOO" as in, "this too is a part of my experience." It's really a practice of inclusion, of acceptance of whatever is arising in the moment. Remember, acceptance of what is arising does not imply a passive acquiescence to the greed, hatred and delusion in our inner and outer worlds. But it is about having an honest, open and spacious relationship with what is happening, noticing our inner reactions, softening to them, being present for the rich spectrum of our lives. From that place we have a much better chance to act out of compassion and wisdom rather than reactivity and aversion. Other versions of "THIS TOO" practice are "YES" practice, and also, "BREATHING IN ACCEPTANCE, BREATHING OUT LETTING GO." Choose whichever...
May your sits and walks be fruitful, may your awareness grow boundless as you discover "this Too"
Love,
Jenn
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