Wednesday, March 31st — Orientation
I wanted to share a mantra that I heard Jack Kornfield share of how he supported himself as a new teacher:
“This is not about you.”
It's about the teachings and the wisdom. It's about service and sharing! I am here to share these teachings and tools that have transformed hearts and minds for thousands of years. I will offer them as best I can and hope they will bring benefits and blessings to some of the students sitting here and this is ENOUGH. Teaching is not a performance, it's an intimate communion between my understanding and wisdom and the hearts of those with me. It's my love of the practice that guides me. This is about sharing what I love, please may this serve all of our awakening."
Recording of the class:
Audio (only) Recording of STOP Meditation:
S – T – O – P Meditation
One Minute Breathing Space. This practice provides a way to step out of automatic pilot mode and into the present moment. What we are doing is creating a space to reconnect with your natural resilience and wisdom. You are simply tuning in to what is happening right now, without expectation of any particular result.
If you remember nothing else, just remember the word STOP
S = Stop & take Stock - Check in to Head/Heart/Body
What is my experience right now? Thoughts... (what are you saying to yourself, what images are coming to mind?) Feelings... (enjoying, neutral, upset, excited, sad, mad, etc.) Sensations... (physical sensations, tightness, holding, lightness, etc.) Acknowledge and register your experience, even if it is uncomfortable.
T = Take breaths…. Direct awareness to Breathing
Gently direct full attention to breathing, to each- breath and to each-out breath as they follow, one after the other. Your breath can function as an anchor to bring you into the present and help you tune into a state of awareness and stillness.
O = Open & Observe Expand your awareness outward
Expand the field of your awareness around and beyond your breathing, so that it includes a sense of the body as a whole, your posture, and facial expression, then further outward to what is happening around you: sights, sounds, smells, etc. As best you can, bring this expanded awareness to the next moments...
P = Proceed with new Possibilities & Perspective