BCIMS Tuesday sitting group

As we noted yesterday, inspired by Ajahn Amaro's book,  contemplation of the elements can be one way of loosening our grip on identification and clinging.  Here is a meditation in which  Bikkhu Analayo, a German scholar-monk of profound learning and practice, guides us (somewhat quickly!)  through the fields of body, feeling, mind and dharmas.  In the first part he scans through the body paying particular attention to anatomical parts and then the elements.   Following that, he guides us through the traditional contemplation of death, impermanence of feeling tone, mind and mind objects, all with the body as the hub of the wheel. It is a more or less 'advanced' practice but some of you may find it can lead to a deep sense of peace, release and equanimity.   http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/439/talk/26718/

Pick one specific simple activity you do several times each day. Some examples: washing your hands; washing dishes; walking down a particular hallway; picking up your phone; if you drive, stopping at a red light; if you commute on transit, getting onto the bus. Practice being fully present for that one activity. (Also remember that part of the process of developing the habit of paying attention to this activity is forgetting that you meant to do it mindfully! Keep at it. Over time, your mind will get trained to bring simple attention to this specific thing.) What sensations do you notice as you pay attention? What kind of mind states and thoughts typically appear during this activity? Can you let go of the tendency to be lost in the past and future, and just be attentive to this experience? Include whatever mind states or emotions are present, just as they are. There's no need to always glide down the hallway: if you're stomping down the hallway, know that you...

Sebene Selassie has a bunch of concrete suggestions here: http://www.designsponge.com/2016/05/10-tips-for-meditating-at-home.html See more from this wonderful teacher here: https://www.sebeneselassie.com/ In addition to these tips, it's helpful to stay connected to the sense of potential or inspiration you have around your meditation practice. What is it that energizes or inspires you to practice? Is it particular mind states of calm or kindness that you've touched into at specific times through practice, or is it more the cumulative effect of the practice on your mind? For example, you might look back at how you were a few years ago and realize that, even though you still get angry, now you have more moments when you're aware that you're angry and can choose to act with wisdom instead of lashing out. Staying in touch with your own personal experience of the benefits of meditation can help to make your formal meditation practice feel like something that enriches y...

Ajahn Amaro's book For the Love of the World is available for e-readers (sorry, no pdf version available). In this book, he outlines a response to the ongoing environmental crisis, based in the Buddha's teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the Four Elements.