We had our fifth Introduction to Meditation Class at Yoga Bliss today.   We shared a guided meditation of A Pause for Presence:  Wakeful, Open & Tender.  I drew this inspiration and meditation instruction from meditation instructor and author Tara Brach.  In her book, True Refuge, Tara describes Natural Presence as the integrated expression of these qualities.

Our longing to live fully – from our beingness – draws us to presence.  Perhaps it is this longing that draws us together at Yoga Bliss – a longing for life that gives us the energy to pause our forward momentum and the courage to see and be seen.

In meditation we awakened our senses by exploring where our hearing met the sound of the bell.  We allowed a passing siren to resonate inside, grow in intensity and then fade away.   Perhaps it invoked a sense of tenderness or vulnerability.  We explored sight through open and closed eyes, perceived moving or still images in shadow plays of light, dark and color.  We smelled scent wafting in and out on the breath.  We experienced touch as sensation on skin, texture and weight of clothes, currents of cool and warm air  fanning the through body hair, evaporating heat.

We followed the exhale to its very end and paused like the rest in a bar of music.  We returned our awareness to this place if it strayed.  At the end of the exhale we let go of knowing in order to abide in wakeful, open and tender space.  Tara says that our realization of truth arises from the lucidity of presence.  Life unfolds and reveals itself in the light of awareness.  She says our tenderness, our vulnerability, allows us to respond with compassion, love and wonder to whatever arises in all its beauty and sorrow.

We ended with a chant adopted from Centre of Gravity’s Chant Liturgy:

Life and death are of extreme importance.

Time passes swiftly and opportunity is lost.

Let us awaken!  Awaken!

(Do not squander your life.)

May I be well, May I be safe, May I be happy.

May my family be well, may my family be safe, may my

family be happy.

May all beings be safe, may all beings be well, may all beings be happy.

 

You can find this week’s homework and other resources at:

Sunday Meditation Class 5 Homework