sustained mindfulness and concentration

I attended a dharma talk last night that was rather technical and on the subject of sustained concentration in mindfulness practice. I noticed myself feeling early on in the talk that I was somewhat bored, a little needy, judging the topic as something that would not fulfill me for the evening. But after listening in full, I took away a great deal of insight, that helped me notice and understand this moment of discomfort.

Often I find that when I am uncomfortable with something it is because it is something I NEED to investigate. As a good friend would tell me, "Where you resist, persist" or when something seems difficult try to stay and see things through. To me that is the essence of what meditation is, a form of staying.

In sustained concentration there can be one specific thing that you are concentrating on, usually the breath, sometimes a light (if you are practicing eyes open), or maybe even music. Sustaining focus can be less about an empty mind, and more about a satisfied mind, one that isnt racing about in an anxiety frenzy to control and figure things out.

My suggestion for this week is to try to notice when you feel uncomfortable and either persist through the feeling returning back to your state of focus or if this feels really over powering, to investigate where that discomfort arises first, and then come back.

A reminder for this I have come to say to myself is:

Come back, come back. And then Stay.

Namaste, K

Dark Night of The Soul

Winter has notoriety for symbolizing Death and the end of cycles....

Ultimately we have to come to terms with the fact that every season brings with it a kind of energy resonance that may make its marker in our lives.

As the darkness becomes more evident I invite you to shed light on areas of your life that you may have been denying.

Personally, I have noticed this time of year to indicate some solo journey work. It feels like a potent wish to impart on others, to encourage all of you to take time for yourself, to walk the path with courage but also with a kind of compassionate tenderness.

We all have endured struggle. Let us remember we needn't suffer in our struggles.

Setting Intention for the Psyche

I don't know if you are like me, but I often have trouble sleeping. I'll lie in bed and my mind will just race with thoughts, and then Ill pick one that isn't worthy of my time and just obsess over it. Despite my meditation practice, there is something deeper and more psychological at work here.

A friend recommended the book: The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield. I have seen Jack talk a few times and have always been left in a sort of trance like awe surrounding his breadth of knowledge, ability to tie in concepts and cleverly quote and antidote situations. His book: After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; was a very poignant account of several encounters that helped fuse my understanding of the human psyche in relationship to the everyday, within the lens of Buddhism.

I'm setting out the goal and intention to write more about this topic in an effort to address questions I may receive here or out in the world to write about.

To look out into the community as a support system, as a gage for change is a tool I wish to utilize. I thank you for bearing witness and for reading.

Namaste K