Amana Brembry Johnson: The Body As Earth

(Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center) During these disorienting and unstable times, awareness of the Earth Element in the body offers both a refuge and a responsibility to be present for what has arisen and what is arising in our world today.

(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center) In the Honeyball Sutta (MN 18), it says, "What one perceives, that one thinks about. What one thinks about, that one mentally proliferates (or complicates)." And this mental proliferation often leads to "evil unwholesome states" which can cause harm and suffering. When we bring mindfulness to the subtle realm of perception, we start to see more clearly without adding anything extra. This is where equanimity comes in, allowing us to meet life with fewer preferences and with greater mental balance.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Climb a tree and use the perspective you get when on top. The street here is also compared with the body.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) From a base of loving kindness and compassion we can consciously aim our heart's attention into a practice of Forgiveness.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The first of the Satipatthana practices for establishing mindfulness is the body.

(Gaia House)

(Gaia House)

(Gaia House)

(Cittaviveka)

(Gaia House)