We had the Sunday Introduction to Meditation Class at Yoga Bliss today. We continued working with the four foundations of mindfulness inspired by the teachings in B. Alan Wallace’s Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness. Alan suggests that this style of meditation can be useful in enhancing creativity and everyday problem solving.  It’s difficult to find innovative solutions or creative insights when you’re stuck in habitual ways of thinking.  He writes:

By dropping the problem, we don’t forget that a solution is needed. When the mind melts into fluidity . . . [one experiences]  a deep spacious mode of awareness in which connections are formed more easily. A solution often comes to mind in a spark of insight.

We centered practice around the experience of being still, awake and relaxed.  We created a spaciousness in which all experience could flow through awareness.  It was like opening a window through which pure being could emerge.  As in yoga we were in a posture of allowing. Continue reading →

We had the Sunday Introduction to Meditation Class at Yoga Bliss yesterday. We continued working with the four foundations of mindfulness inspired by the teachings in B. Alan Wallace’s Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness.  I think of Alan’s book as a meditation “technology” manual.  He describes how to “do it” and includes a narrative that fills in the background and purpose of what we’re doing.  Like last week, we started by establishing awareness in the sensory field of the body and then we shifted attention to the domain of mental experience: ideas, thoughts, images, desires, emotions and aspirations.

Continue reading →

We had the Sunday Introduction to Meditation Class at Yoga Bliss yesterday.  We continued working with the four foundations of mindfulness inspired by the teachings in B. Alan Wallace’s Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness.

We started by establishing awareness in the sensory field of the body.  During this time we were reminded to sense into the earth element.  After a period of walking meditation, we shifted attention to the domain of mental experience: ideas, thoughts, images, desires, emotions and aspirations. Alan encourages students to notice the movement of the mind – like the wind in its many directions and forces.

In his book,  Alan observes how our feelings are aroused by sensory experience, thoughts, and memories.  They always change depending on context, our life circumstances.   We do our best to navigate life’s sea of change.  We all want to be happy.  Alan asks:  what is the true source of happiness?  He draws from Buddhist teaching which distinguishes between “mundane” and “genuine” happiness.  We seek happiness in the every day concerns of acquiring material goods, pursuing sensual pleasure and seeking praise.  We avoid loss, pain and blame.  All of these pursuits are dependent on many circumstances beyond our control.

Continue reading →