Thought is often related to as a “problem” in meditation. It is much more useful to include thought as an object of awareness: once we understand the nature of thought, it loses it power over us.
Much of our meditation practice in the west has been focused on individual practice, in silence and often solitude. While there are many traditional Buddhist resources for taking relational, communicative interactions as practice, there is also a need for developing forms to deepen such practice. We identify the Buddhist resources for this practice and offer some beginning exercises.
When practicing meditation we can observe different sensations in the body, feelings, states of mind, and mind objects. They are as they are – and we need to recognize and understand that.
Our life experience is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and the underlying belief that "something is wrong with me." Meditation allows us to recognize and release the grip of the stories that confine our sense of wholeness, peace and inner freedom.
After an overview of the Bodhisattva path, and of the perfections of vow – intention, patience, and meditations, we look at the perfections of wisdom and skillful action. We end with an experiential exercise designed to a different situation.
