Short Reflection on the 2nd Vipallasa & Guided Meditation including parts of a poem by Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene IV | Online Wednesday-Morning

Guided meditation starting with settling the body, then the breath as air element,then identifying the the rest of the four elements in our bodies,the solidity of air, the fluidity and cohesion of water and the temperature of fire. At last a guided with instructions sky gazing meditation to do outside.

Guiding Meditation. Starting with settling the Body and then the breath. A subtle balance between relaxation adn allertness. Focusing on the breath sensations in relationship with the air element.

In a society that prizes overachieving, we are taught to scale it back in meditation practice. But strong determination is also an essential quality on the path to awakening. Here's how to fold your ambition and perfectionism into your practice.

We begin with a short account of some of the history of Juneteenth and its origins in Texas, as well as how it developed in the decades after 1865, including under Jim Crow. We ask how consideration of Juneteenth and the ensuing history informs our practice, considering the three main elements of our practice: Training in wisdom (particularly in understanding the roots of racism in greed for power and wealth and a "divide and conquer" approach); meditation (both in examining our conditioning and working with difficult emotions), and ethical practice (developing care and addressing harm, for the benefit of all beings). The talk is followed by discussion.

We explore how to be aware of body sensations from a "Somatic Mindfulness" or body-based perspective, as well as get guidance on how to mindfully work with physical pain

Adam will give the talk. Over the past seven months, Adam traveled through Bali, Nepal, and Japan on a pilgrimage that became both an outer journey and an inner exploration. At the heart of this journey was a simple question: What allows a human being to feel truly at home within themselves? Drawing from meditation, spiritual pilgrimage, and somatic practice, Adam reflects on how love transforms shame and restores our innate dignity and belonging. He will share how he sees the journey through the lens of the five elemental stages of SomAwaken that he teaches.

This foundational talk on mindfulness offers insight into why and how to practice mindfulness, the science behind it, what makes meditation difficult, the qualities of a mindful mind, and the fruits of the practice.

In our first morning, you are guided to slow down, settle, and turn toward your breath as your faithful anchor for the meditation.