Inside the chaos, build a temple of love ~Rune Lazuli

How appropriate to be focusing on this topic in the time of Corona!

A central habit of the mind is to focus on the negative, the one thing not done well, the not good enough, the disappointing interaction, the grievance. This contributes to low grade, chronic, self-created stress, to dukkha. The Buddha recommended that we learn to steer away from unwholesome mind states and cultivate wholesome ones. This was an essential aspect of his teaching, a core part of the raft which leads in the direction of less stress and more ease of wellbeing. 

During this program we will focus on creative approaches to arousing the uplifting heart qualities of the brahmaviharas: friendliness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. These are available to us when the heart is not preoccupied with stress. We will explore how these heart tones can be brought to life on and off the cushion and how their presence impacts the present moment.

This program will include a variety of guided meditations, as well as periods of standing and walking practice. There will also be teaching modules and brief dharma talks throughout, as well as small group discussions, which will occur in zoom breakout rooms.

This program is designed to be relevant for all levels of meditation experience. Please join us! 

Learning Intentions:

To utilize mindfulness and concentration practices in the service of deepening therapeutic presence; develop the skill of recognizing unwholesome mind states close to their inception; practice metta, or loving-kindness, as a means of enhancing affect tolerance; utilize compassion practices to enhance empathic attunement; learn the antidote potential of appreciative joy when working with the unwholesome mind states of envy and jealousy; and learn how to cultivate the balanced perspective of equanimity in the face of bias and judgment.