become a wizard of ahs

What happens when we sit down to meditate? We begin to see the movements of mind. Many of the movements are away from the perceived objects of our experience. Let’s call this the movement of rejection.
There’s an itch, or a jarring sound, or an sudden upheaval of thoughts, and if we look carefully there is [...]

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dropping into the depths

As we get into our yoga and meditation practice, we naturally start dropping into deeper and deeper places within.  We see how this dropping down requires some initial effort. We become aware of the tremendous hold the “surface” has on us, how it holds us in its web of chatter, worry, anxiety and incessant wants.  
One [...]

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to sit or not to sit

This issue: to sit or not to sit?  
Merely stating this issue brings up a legion of other issues, many of which go unchallenged and unrecognized in the awareness of a potential meditator. To tackle one issue inevitably begs other, lateral questions.  
As an instructor, I am somewhat aware of the dynamics involved in teaching. If an [...]

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not knowing is most intimate

Some thoughts about the essence of our meditation practice. An exchange between Zen teachers old (9th century China, I believe).
Fayan was going on pilgrimage.
Dizang said, “Where are you going?”
Fayan said, “Around on pilgrimage.”
Dizang said, “What is the purpose of pilgrimage?”
Fayan said: “I don’t know.”
Dizang said, “Not knowing is most intimate.”
This points to the essence of [...]

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