In basic mindfulness practice, we can touch some calm through paying attention to our breath and body sensations. The benefits include not getting caught up so much in difficult emotions and thoughts. We often attribute these positive effects to, say, the breath or other objects of mindfulness, and fail to recognize that real transformation comes from the awareness we discover through these practices, and not the practices themselves. In this workshop we will build a foundation of traditional mindfulness practices, and then move into a style of practice where open awareness itself becomes of primary importance. We explore how such an approach can expand the range of what we can hold wisely and kindly in our experience. Finally, we will explore the art of practicing in a way that best serves the quality of our present-moment awareness, whether it be more narrow or wide, in formal practice and in daily life. This workshop is appropriate for new and experienced meditators alike.
Matthew Daniell is the guiding teacher of NSIMC. He has been practicing Buddhist meditation since the 1980s, including over a decade in Asia, where he practiced Zen intensively in Japan, Tibetan Buddhism in India, and Insight meditation in Burma, India, and Thailand. Read more about Matthew on his teacher page.
The fee for this program is $48 ($45 cash or check). To register and pay online, click below; if paying by cash or check, send an email to northshoreimc@gmail.com.