Starting a 10 day silent retreat tomorrow, working a few shifts in the kitchen as well. Great way to go through the holidays. Hoping to practice #metta as a #samatha practice.

Happy healthy New Year to all!

#mindfulness #meditation #vipassana #itsapractice #jhana

Starting a 10 day silent retreat tomorrow, working a few shifts in the kitchen as well. Great way to go through the holidays. Hoping to practice #metta as a #samatha practice.

Happy healthy New Year to all!

#mindfulness #meditation #vipassana #itsapractice #jhana

As I attempt to practice #metta I am reminded of that Charles Bukowski quote "Yeah, I like people. But I like them better when they are not around"

Maybe it was the girl smoking a cigarette up wind from me while gabbing away on her cell phone. Anyway, back to radiating love to everyone without discrimination.

#mindfulness #meditation #itsapractice #vipassana #jhana

As I attempt to practice #metta I am reminded of that Charles Bukowski quote "Yeah, I like people. But I like them better when they are not around"

Maybe it was the girl smoking a cigarette up wind from me while gabbing away on her cell phone. Anyway, back to radiating love to everyone without discrimination.

#mindfulness #meditation #itsapractice #vipassana #jhana

May you all have a happy Tuesday.

Today I will repeat "may you be happy, healthy, peaceful and free" over and over again while bringing people to mind and while looking at the people around me. Just like the sun shines equally on everyone.

#itsapractice #metta #mindfulness #mindful #vipassana #meditation #jhana

May you all have a happy Tuesday.

Today I will repeat "may you be happy, healthy, peaceful and free" over and over again while bringing people to mind and while looking at the people around me. Just like the sun shines equally on everyone.

#itsapractice #metta #mindfulness #mindful #vipassana #meditation #jhana

A lesson I keep having to relearn is that it isn't about seeking happiness. It's about discovering and then abiding in contentment.

I say relearn because I am currently in a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful people with all kinds of interesting things going on and suddenly I find myself wanting this and that (and especially her) and I feel less satisfied than when I was sitting alone in an uninteresting place.

#mindfulness #mindful #vipassana #meditation #metta #itsapractice

I received a long hug this morning from an old friend who is very open and it showed me how closed (relatively) I am. Hard to fully relax and open, but that's the practice I'm undertaking at the moment.

I'll let you know how things progress

#metta #meditation #mindfulness #vipassana #jhana #itsapractice

Tuning in to the subtle sensations in the body. Letting things be as they are. Dropping in to presence.

Literally nothing else is needed.

Now off for a slow #mindful walk on the beach

#vipassana #itsapractice #mindfulness #meditation

It's been a long busy week. Looking forward to a quiet night and quiet weekend. Not going to fill my time with activities or look for things to do. Instead I'll relax into the present moment and let go of the need to be or do anything at all!

May you have a happy #mindful weekend!

#meditation #mindfulness #vipassana #itsapractice #metta #jhana

What is being observed right now? I invite you to put down your phone for 2 minutes, close your eyes and tune in to your inner experience of the body or the breath.

What is being observed right now?

It doesn't matter what it is, pleasant or unpleasant, just tune in and observe.

Have a #mindful day!

#mindfulness #meditation #metta #vipassana #itsapractice

The #Brahmaviharas: #Metta (friendliness), #Karuna (compassion), #Mudita (sharing in another's joy) and #Upecca (equanimity towards people) are about changing the frame through which we view other people.

It's quite a shift from our ingrained habits of fight, flight or fu*k and it takes continuous practice to shift the frame.

That's what I am working on at the moment...

#itsapractice

Happy Monday everyone!

Just a friendly reminder to take some breaks during the day to bring your attention to the breath or to bodily sensations. Be still for a few minutes and check in.

May you have a wonderful day regardless of what happens!

#meditation #mindfulness #metta #vipassana #itsapractice

I was feeling a bit lonely, antsy and under the weather yesterday.

A benefit of #meditation is that:

1. It was ok to feel that way
2. It passed quickly

#mindfulness #metta #vipassana #itsapractice

Just taking a two minute break to bring my attention to my breath, to return to the present moment, to get out of the monkey mind. Centered, relaxed, alert.

May you have a #mindful and peaceful day!

#vipassana #itsapractice #meditation #metta

I'm grateful that Thai people have settled all over the US and have opened restaurants. Mmmmm green curry!

#gratitude #itsapractice

What I want to do:

Follow my desires; go where I want; do what I want.

What actually makes me happier:

Doing things for others; putting their needs ahead of mine; practicing patience and generosity.

#itsapractice #meditation #mindfulness #vipassana #love>hate

All day long you can keep some percentage of your attention on your bodily sensations. It helps keep you centered and out of your (crazy monkey) mind.

May you have a mindful day!

#buddhism #meditation #mindfulness #metta #itsapractice #love>hate

Happy Sunday Mastodoners!

I'm about to head out on a long walk on a cold beach. My intention is to repeat my mantra as frequently as possible - concentrating the mind and radiating #metta

"May you be happy, healthy, peaceful and free"

#itsapractice #meditation #mindfulness #love>hate

It's a rainy Saturday morning; a perfect opportunity to curl up inside myself. Turn the attention inwards, focussing on the breath as the rising and falling of the abdomen. Eventually generating enough warm loving heat to burn off the rain.

May you have a peaceful day!

#itsapractice #mindfulness #meditation #metta