Short guided meditation on connecting with and being interested in an anchor.

The opening talk for the month of April explores themes of how our practice can be a resource during the pandemic, as well as key suggestions for orienting to practice while living or working at home.

(five minutes of silence initially)

In this guided meditation we explore how to find a conducive "tone" or inner orientation for meditation—one of warmth, friendliness, and interest, like being with a good friend. Begins with a short reflection.

Exploring our relationship with the body as a resource for practice and a doorway to liberation. Link to poem read at the end: https://www.orenjaysofer.com/blog/trust

A short reflection and Guided meditation on patience in life and contemplative practice.

Patience is said to lead the way to enlightenment. Why? Dhamma practice goes against the grain of ordinary life and against the acquiring tendencies of the mind. This talk explores the value of patience and how to we turn the mind towards the spacious flexibility of patience.

Open Q&A covering topics such as: anchor vs. choiceless awareness; loss of concentration and self-judgment; patience vs. avoidance.

There are 3.3 minutes of silence in the beginning.

Resolve or determination is a steady firmness that is both flexible and strong. This meditation explores how to bring this quality into our meditation.

The quality of resolve—strong determination, committment—is guided by wisdom and supported by patience to transform the heart and carry the mind to release.

Open Q&A covering topics such as: calming the body after an angry outburst and repairing the relational connection; meditating on the 'sound of silence'; using multiple anchors; working with the mind jumping from one thing to another.

A short reflection with instructions on samatha and vipassana practice (calming and insight), followed by a guided meditation.

Without a full heart the practice becomes rote, dry, and uninspired. Without the sacred, we lose our way in the world and misplace our heart's faith in things like money, success, and pleasure. The path invites us to tap into a deeper aspect of the heart/mind and live with a quality of reverence.

Open Q&A session, includes such topics as: handling restless thoughts; working with persistent worry; relating wisely to creative thoughts; opening the pain and suffering in the world.

Closing session for the month of April online teachings at the Forest Refuge, with Caroline Jones.