The Seven Factors of Awakening

“Dark itself is not dark. It is due to light that dark Becomes dark. And light itself is not light It is due to dark that light Becomes light. Because light changes into dark, And dark gives way to light, Their appearance and disappearance Depend upon each other… All of experience is like this” Zen Master Hui Neng. The Platform Sutra. Please join meditation teacher Chris Luard in an upcoming talk: “Finding Balance in the Midst Of Life’s Unfolding.” Saturday, Sept 21st 2024 10:00am EST Facebook and Instagram Live! Chris has been practicing meditation for 38 years and has been successfully teaching meditation worldwide since 2009, giving talks, facilitating retreats, and have authored two books. He has received formal training in Theravada, Mahayana (Tibetan, Zen,) and Vedanta meditation techniques as well as Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, MBSR, Nonviolent Communication, and Buddhist Psychology. Chris teaches from a secular voice and he is passionate about bringing timeless wisdom teachings to people of any faith, belief system, or tradition.

Here I offer a guided meditation and a wisdom talk on Kindness. Enjoy!

Here I offer a talk and a guided meditation on the heart quality of Joy.

Here I offer a guided meditation on the heart quality of Joy. I then offer a talk on the topic of Joy as a resource to help cultivate resilience. 🙏🙏🙏

"Whatever you accept completely will take you to peace, including the acceptance that you cannot accept, that you are in resistance." Eckhart Tolle. Please join meditation teacher Chris Luard in an upcoming talk: Compassion and Acceptance as an Abode. Chris has been practicing meditation for 38 years and has been successfully teaching meditation worldwide since 2009, giving talks, facilitating retreats, and have authored two books. He has received formal training in Theravada, Mahayana (Tibetan, Zen,) and Vedanta meditation techniques as well as Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, MBSR, Nonviolent Communication, and Buddhist Psychology. Chris teaches from a secular voice and he is passionate about bringing timeless wisdom teachings to people of any faith, belief system, or tradition.

Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity. In some traditions these four qualities are known as the "Abodes of The Heart." But what does it mean to "abide in kindness or compassion? Joy or Equanimity? Please join meditation teacher Chris Luard in an upcoming talk: The Four Abodes of The Heart.

Here I offer a guided meditation through the body, feeling tones, and mind/heart, as presented by Ven. Bhikkhu Analayo. In this practice we explore our experience of our body through the skin, flesh, bones, and the elemental qualities of the body: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. We are then invited into the feeling tones inherent in the human experience. Then we rest deeply in the body and from that deep state of bodily rest, we observe the activity of the mind and heart. In this observation we might notice the mind and heart naturally begin to rest. By observing in a non-judgemental was we might come to notice how the contact in the body leads to a feeling tone which leads to thoughts, emotions, and moods, these thoughts and moods we can see lead into the hindrances. Our exploration continues by observing the absence of the hindrances giving rise to joy and the other awakening factors. With practice, this practice can lead one to a deeper sense of present moment awareness, and to recognize the not-self aspect of our physicality. Meditation can be challenging at times. Occasionally we may experience things which surprise as a result. If you have any questions or concerns in regards to this, or other meditation practices, please feel free to message me through my website: www.suchsweetthunder.org

Here I offer a guided meditation through what is known in the buddhist tradition as the seven factors (or facets) of awakening: Mindfulness, Curiosity, Energy, Joy, Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity. As the practice unfolds we are invited to touch in with these qualities, which are always available, and we offer the light of awareness as nourishment to the seeds of awakening latent in our heart. Meditation can be challenging at times. Occasionally we may experience things which surprise as a result. If you have any questions or concerns in regards to this, or other meditation practices, please feel free to message me through my website: www.suchsweetthunder.org I have been practicing meditation for 38 years and has been successfully teaching meditation worldwide since 2009, giving talks, facilitating retreats, and have authored two books. I have received formal training in Theravada, Mahayana (Tibetan, Zen,) and Vedanta meditation techniques as well as Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, MBSR, Neuroplasticity, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, and Buddhist Psychology. I teach from a secular voice and I am passionate about bringing timeless wisdom teachings to people of any faith, belief system, or tradition. If you find these podcasts helpful please consider making a donation: PayPal.me/suchsweetthunder

Here I offer a guided meditation through the body, feeling tones, and mind/heart, as presented by Ven. Bhikkhu Analayo. In this practice we explore our experience of our body through the skin, flesh, bones, and the elemental qualities of the body: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. We are then invited into the feeling tones inherent in the human experience. Then we rest deeply in the body and from that deep state of bodily rest, we observe the activity of the mind and heart. In this observation we might notice the mind and heart naturally begin to rest. By observing in a non-judgemental was we might come to notice how the contact in the body leads to a feeling tone which leads to thoughts, emotions, and moods, these thoughts and moods we can see lead into the hindrances. With practice, this practice can lead one to a deeper sense of present moment awareness, and to recognize the not-self aspect of our physicality. Meditation can be challenging at times. Occasionally we may experience things which surprise as a result. If you have any questions or concerns in regards to this, or other meditation practices, please feel free to message me through my website: www.suchsweetthunder.org

Here I offer a guided meditation designed to allow one to open their heart to our activity of our mind. We develop the capacity to rest in the body and observe the activity of the mind, without getting swept up by our thoughts and emotions. By coming to rest in the with the activity of the mind, free from judgement, our relationship to our experience of life begins to lighten. We then turn our heartfelt awareness to the hindrances. These are five mind-states which cloud our ability to clearly know the present moment experience, and thus block our ability to lead a peaceful, flourishing life. By resting with these five veiling factors and getting to know how they feel when they are present, we can begin to work with them as guideposts on the path, rather than enemies. This practice is designed to allow one to do just that. Meditation can be challenging at times. Occasionally we may experience things which surprise as a result. If you have any questions or concerns in regards to this, or other meditation practices, please feel free to message me through my website: www.suchsweetthunder.org I have been practicing meditation for 36 years and has been successfully teaching meditation worldwide since 2009, giving talks, facilitating retreats, and have authored two books. I have received formal training in Theravada, Mahayana (Tibetan, Zen,) and Vedanta meditation techniques as well as Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, MBSR, Neuroplasticity, and Buddhist Psychology. I teach from a secular voice and I am passionate about bringing timeless wisdom teachings to people of any faith, belief system, or tradition.