Looking Deeply, Healing # 1

The goal of this practice is to experience some degree of freedom upon letting go of whatever it is that we are holding on to. Suffering and unhappiness result from craving and aversion. If we observe the thoughts and emotions underlying them, we realize that we are holding on to something. When we let go of whatever it is that we are holding on to, the thoughts and emotions pass away taking with them the cravings or aversions. This process occurs in real time as we continue to observe our breath and our attention drifts away from the breath precisely because of some craving or aversion that arises. For more information, visit: http://summitmindfulness.com/2019/08/on-letting-go-revised/

Loving-kindness meditation is a method of developing compassion. It comes from the Buddhist tradition, but it can be adapted and practiced by anyone, regardless of religious affiliation. For more information, visit: http://summitmindfulness.com/2017/10/cultivating-loving-kindness-loved-ones/

This guided meditation guides us to relax different parts of the body as we exhale. The mindfulness of breath anchors the mind and keeps it focused on the relaxation process. We just need to lie down comfortably and bring our attention to the breath. As we exhale, we feel the relaxing effect of the breath as it leaves the body and relax the body, part by part as guided in the meditation track, beginning at the top of the body and going down till we reach the feet. We then relax the whole body.

The meditation entitled “Looking Deeply, Release” appears in chapter IV of the book “The Blooming of a Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh. This conscious breathing meditation can be used to be in touch with all the feelings that create anger and to then transform the seeds that create anger within us. The in-breath is to experience a certain feeling that generates anger. The out-breath smiles and cultivates compassion to that feeling.

Prior to using the meditation track entitled "Looking Deeply, Healing #1", please check out my blog post on my website that provides some background information. http://summitmindfulness.com/2016/05/looking-deeply-healing-1/

Mental Noting is a simple method in which we use the default process of thinking to stay present rather than have it carry us away into the past or future. This is the practice of using a simple “note” to calmly name what we are experiencing. For more information, visit: http://summitmindfulness.com/2016/05/mental-noting/

The breath is a very useful object in mindfulness meditation. We breathe all the time. The breath itself is a neutral object. Mindfulness of breathing meditation works mainly through us withdrawing our attention from distracting thoughts and redirecting our attention to the physical sensations of the breath coming in and going out. By doing so, we anchor our mind to the present moment and stop it from proliferating thoughts, emotions and fantasies. It is a very simple exercise. Every time we find that our attention has wandered away from the breath, we gently let go of whatever our minds are holding on to, and return back to the breath. Over time the mind becomes calmer and our emotional states become more balanced and positive, and our experience becomes more positive. http://summitmindfulness.com/2016/04/mindfulness-of-breath/

This meditation track entitled “Touching, Connecting”as described in the book “The Blooming of a Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh help us become more attuned to our body. They put us in touch with our bodies and help us be aware of the condition of each part. They express care and affection for our bodies. While performing these meditations; the in-breath is to touch a certain part of the body: eyes, ears, heart, lungs, and so on. The out-breath smiles to that part of the body. http://summitmindfulness.com/2016/03/touching-connecting-and-being-in-touch-looking-deeply/