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Arrange the body so it is balanced and aligned with gravity. From the top of the body down, lightly notice any tension and allow it to soften and relax. Observe the experience of the entire body all at once, and relax further anything that stands out. Over time mental activity may arise to the forefront…

Begin reciting the mantra while walking to footfalls, interrupting any unwilled thoughts with the next syllable of the mantra. Space the mantra syllables out with one, then multiple footfalls in between them. Whenever the mind wanders, recite the next syllable of the mantra. Once this momentum grows, begin following the last syllable past its ending,…

Put the body into a comfortable and alert position, align with gravity. Begin to feel the whole body all at once and relax and soften anything that stands out. Over time the body will soften and quiet. As the body quiets, expand to feel the whole experience all at once, mental and physical. Notice thoughts,…

Thus, one can work with an empty mind — free of ‘me’ and ‘mine,’of profit and loss, of success and failure — a mind most sharp, profound, and penetrating. Such a mind is just like having eyes of fire that instantly incinerate whatever one sets them upon. The empty mind sees through everything… Work with…

Take a walk at comfortable pace. Relax anything in the body that can be relaxed. Relax any sense of doing. Relax anything that can be relaxed. What is left when there is no doing?

In this second post I would like to explore the relationship between the descent through dependent co-arising and Chan silent illumination, or Theravada animitta (signless) samādhi. In part 1, I gave the following example of directly contemplating hearing, moving through the first half of the steps of dependent co-arising; Contact Sounds happening within hearing and…

Simply set down any disturbances, don’t pick up any new, and like a ball of bubbles, they will pop and evaporate…What remains? A sunbeam can be seen because of where it lands. If there is no landing…What remains? When body is relaxed, physical borders fade and merge into the background. When mind is relaxed, mental…

“They should develop a mind which does not abide in anything” – The Diamond Perfection of Wisdom Sutra

For many meditation practitioners, (particularly if they do not come from a cultural background that sits on the floor) posture is sort of a tough subject to get to the bottom of.  I will share my perspectives on what I have learned and experienced, and perhaps what works best will manifest through experimentation. There is…

Set the body in a comfortable, alert position aligned with gravity. Select and set the mind on to a task of continual experiencing of some sensory phenomena that you find some interest in. Relaxing tension within the body, feeling the arches of the feet, noticing length of breath, etc. are all suitable practices. What is…