We had our second Introduction to Meditation class at Yoga Bliss today.  Practice takes on a greater depth when we can see and hear human experience on the face and through the voice of a friend.  I believe the intention we share in coming together to cultivate awareness and sensitivity forms a friendship – at the very least a supportive psychic space.  Rodney Smith, guiding teacher for the Seattle Insight Meditation Society, says his intention in teaching meditation is not to make us all better meditators.  Rather, it is to help us become more aware human beings.

Most of our group members practice yoga.  We explore the place where body, mind and breath integrate and foster a sense of wholeness.  I shared this inspiration from author, anatomist and “somanaut”, Gil Hedley:

The study of the human body, the building of an inventory of appreciation, knowledge, and deep acceptance of the gift of human form, is not an end in itself. It is rather a step-stone, a foundation, upon which to develop the maturity of the soul. Bodies come and bodies go. There are however “heavenly treasures” that can be accrued through this donning and sloughing of bodies which cannot be acquired in any other way. Love from on high is easy enough, but for charity to prevail here in the trenches, another order of awareness is called for. Many have demonstrated that it is possible to wake up here, but we often hit the snooze button rather than follow through. We’ve just had two-thousand-plus years of “just give me five more minutes!” Are you ready to wake up now?

We discussed different concentration techniques that author Matthieu Ricard suggests to help center and focus the mind during periods of agitation or unrest.  We used the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in a guided period of formal meditation.  Finally, we discussed “meditation in action.”  I shared Rodney Smith’s encouragement to meditate in action by truly listening wherever we are and whatever we are doing in the world.  What does is it mean to listen to someone or attend to an experience as if for the very fist time?  What does it mean to listen with all of our senses?  How does this intentional “presencing” alter our experience of our selves and each other?  I think these are good questions to contemplate and inspire a greater friendship with all of life.

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

Sunday Meditation Class 2 Homework