This guided practice establishes a kind, friendly attention with the image and felt sense of a smile, and evokes an embodied presence. We open to the awake awareness that is listening to and feeling the changing sounds and sensations; and then the awake awareness that experiences our own heart. We end with a lovingkindness prayer for ourself and the world.

Genetic-Temperature-Conditioned=Metta=Warm-up!

The Buddha taught that that key to peace, joy and happiness is release: a state of mind and heart not driven by a relentless insistence that life, in this moment, be other than as it is. This capacity for freedom is available every moment yet is often obscured by our agitated minds and wounded hearts. When we shift away from self-sourcing and turn towards any one of the many facets of awakening, and start divine sourcing we let go, and experience what is timeless, luminous and boundless. This day-long retreat will combine the steady focus and insight of Vipassana meditation, with the relational practice of inquiry to find our own access to awakening.

Becoming unfamiliar with our experience.

This meditation guides us to awaken to sensation using the image of a smile and scanning through the body. We then open to sound and to the entire changing flow of experience. When we connect with the changing flow of sensations, feelings and sounds, we also discover the formless awareness that is our Source… and home. “This river of sensation ceaselessly vibrating… tingling… flowing… let it live through you.” “Completely relax with this ever changing dance of sound and sensation.”

We start with breathing mindfully to collect and calm the body and mind. Then the attention opens to include the changing flow in a spacious natural presence.