Jean Esther, MSW has been practicing meditation since 1975 and teaching in the dharma since the early 90’s. She is one of the Guiding Teachers at True North Insight in Canada and teaches locally in the Northeastern US. Trained in Jungian transpersonal psychology and Somatic Experiencing she has been a practicing psychotherapist in Western MA since 1981 with a specialization in the healing of trauma. Her passion is attuning to and supporting the liberating intersection of body, mind and heart and helping others of all ages do the same.
These instructions introduce "thinking" as one of the six sense doors to cultivate mindful awareness of this includes identifying emotions and how to meet them in ones meditation practice. Included in these instructions are a brief introduction to choiceless awareness practice.
What is the state of our current existance? How does Buddhist practice lead us to being fully ourselves with this world while remaining steady and rooted in love and wisdom? This talk includes a brief reflection on the healing power of the 7 factors of awakening and how to identify them.
In this 2 part guided meditation, we begin with recieving the loving care from someone who loves us in an uncomplicated way. Which could, include our pets, a spiritual figure, a teacher, etc. The 2nd part is offering love and care to ourselves including what we find difficult in ourselves.
When we begin to see the arising and passing of thought as not me, not my, and not mine, there is room loosen the grip of grasping and aversion. We can begin to see thought truly as one of the six sense doors.
We expand or awareness of our interconnectedness as humans when we practice Metta for both the "Neutral Person" and the "Difficult Person". Sometimes the Difficult Person can be ourselves. The end of this Guided Practice offers a compassion practice for oneself.
When we bring mindfulness and non-identification to difficult mind states such as the hindrances they become less of an obstacle and more of doorway to freedom.
These instructions include a brief overview of resting in the body as an anchor, as well as a beginning exploration of the relationship of thought and emotion followed by an introduction to open awareness practice.
