We all have itineraries, made up for us by others, some created by ourselves. How can we be free of them?

Meditation on 1st group of the 32 Parts of the Body Meditation.

Our history is here inside our body. Working with challenges and introduction to the 32 parts of the body meditation.

What is Mindfulness Practice? Mindfulness is the practice of opening to and accepting life just as it is - a constantly changing, conditioned process. To begin, we must make the necessary effort to calm the mind and body. Without this first step our intention to be present is often overwhelmed by our habits of reactivity and struggle - trying to fix or control the conditions of the moment. To calm the mind and body we practice connecting and sustaining our attention to ordinary experience in each moment; for example, the sensations of the breath coming and going or the sensations of lifting and placing each foot as we walk. This simple and clear patient knowing is at the heart of mindfulness practice. Tranquility arises by training the attention to return to the present moment experience over and over again. This training is directed by an understanding heart that appreciates that no matter how difficult it appears to be, our practice is to recognize what is happening and to gently return the attention to the conditions as they are in the moment. It is our persistent effort that calms the mind, energizes our practice and leads to insight. We can use ordinary experience, such as the breath, as a refuge - a place to keep coming back to. Over time, this capacity to be present becomes a great friend and allows us to relate to all experience with greater clarity, trust and acceptance. The ability to abide with the flow of experience creates the context for insight to arise. Wisdom, compassion and peace of equanimity are the fruit of these deepening insights.

Classic instruction along with a guided meditation for benefactor

Beginning Mindfulness Instructions

This first part of the course is emphasizing the actual experience of sense gratification. In other words, we are learning how to be interested, intimate and discerning as the sensitive heart connects with the reality of this world of sensuality. Are we willing to meet this sense world honestly, with real interest in order to better understand the experience of gratification? Here are some reflections for week two in preparation for small group discussions: What have you learned in specifically observing, being intimate with experiences of gratification of sense experience. How have you experienced happiness in the past? How much of this happiness has been related to the gratification of desire? Reflect on the experiences of gratification and disappointment. What is the ongoing effect of these past successes and failures on your life? Honestly map out those places in your life where you see enchantment with sense experience. For example, desires that seem to promise real lasting happiness for oneself. Below are Study Materials for Week 1 and Week 2:

Dharma Talk from Phillip Moffitt recorded at Spirit Rock on September 19, 2016.

This talk describes how to find greater freedom in relation to the emotions that are usually the greatest source of suffering, desire, fear, sadness and anger

Are you stuck in worry, a thought, or a problem? This guided meditation can help give you a new perspective on your thoughts and your life. It is calming, spacious and insightful.

Wholeness. Part 2 of "No Part Left Out.: Creating and building wholeness in yourself in every day.

Habitually we stage our life as if it were a theatrical production. How about, instead, just being with life as it unfolds?

A guided meditation to remember that a "field of lovingkindess that has your back."

Cultivating self compassion and mindfulness. Bringing mind and heart together

This talk looks at how all parts of your psychology can lead to wholeness. Meeting all of yourself with compassion and connection creates awakening. When Nun Izuimi Shikibu (974-0134 AD) became enlightened she reflected on this experience; "I knew myself completely; no part left out."

This talk provide practical advice for working with hindrances to practice

Mindfulness is the data collection system for intuitive awareness and letting go of thinking

Dependent origination offers another map to understand how sankhara is configured.

This talk was given on Sept. 24th at Common Ground Meditation Center. Because the talk the week before was cut off due to battery failure, we are publishing this one here, by popular demand.

We live in an imperfect unfixable world, which we constantly try to fix or correct– This leads to suffering! One of the ways we obsess is through a type of thinking called papañca.

James talks about the new book he co-authored with classroom teacher, Michele Lilyanna, and the importance of planting seeds of wisdom and compassion in the hearts of future generations.

(Begins with 30 min guided meditation) With self view there is a tendency to meet experience with pre-formed responses of who I am, why they are, and what's needed. Orienting around citta allows a more natural and spontaneous response, one where empathy and preciousness are infused in intentions and actions.

Through the kamma of meditation we have the possibility to potentize agreeable and pleasant states in our own minds. Self tendencies can be relaxed so the beauty of the natural mind can come through.