This article is a hodgepodge collection of various ideas and approaches to particular challenges in various areas of experience. It collects prior Integrating Presence blog posts along with new material. Challenges: Family, Ex-partners, difficult folks and their social media Are you a cyber stalker? Do you check in on what your ex is posting onContinue reading “Somewhat Advanced (Yet Mostly Mundane) Practices”
Tag Archives: challenges
(Somewhat) Recent Integrating Presence Interviews And Talks On YouTube: Creativity, Communication & Heartful Presences
I somewhat recently started recording chats with folks online again and recording them, but for the time being, much of them just for my YouTube channel. I may or may not go back and add them to my traditional podcast feed later Amrit Singh and I talk about spiritual practices, Kundalini Yoga, service work, workingContinue reading “(Somewhat) Recent Integrating Presence Interviews And Talks On YouTube: Creativity, Communication & Heartful Presences”
Heart Practices | February 23, 2023 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #06
This is the sixth installment of the ongoing live series with Wendy Nash inquiring into meditation practice on and off the cushion. Due to no Q & A in January we did two in February. And since February is often associated with love and Valentines day we did one on Love & Brahmaviharas and forContinue reading “Heart Practices | February 23, 2023 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #06”
Don’t Associate With Fools
On April Fools Day I did an Insight Timer live talk with the above title and the description, “A brief chat about associating with the wise while setting aside fools (and that which comes with it)” a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person dictionary definition for “fool” Some notes for this talk:Continue reading “Don’t Associate With Fools”
April 2022 Insight Timer Live Events: Fools; Truth; Death Contemplation; Friendship; Ghosting
*Brief Readings on Truth*
Your truth is great. What is truth though? For 15 minutes or so I read profound axioms, quotes, and snippets about truth
*Death Contemplation and Meditation*
Unwise, unskillful choices can come from an unconscious fear of death. The most profound contemplations and meditations on death protect us and help us appreciate every moment
*Friendship: The Whole of the Spiritual Life*
15min: ‘Ven Ananda said to the Blessed One, “This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.” “Don’t say that, Ananda. Don’t say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life..’
*Ask anyone anything? Live with whom? Minor (AUA) restart?*
A few teachings on inquiry and investigation while also reviewing and asking your suggestions for the monthly “Ask Us Anything” show format fellow Insight Timer teacher Denny K Miu and I started in September 2020 to determine a potential restart, recreation and/or transmutation
*Ghosted, ignored, canceled? More grist to nourish all*
Let’s explore what can be done to transform, transmute and turn ghosting and being canceled into nourishment to support the well-being and awakening of all
Vedic Astrology, Enneagram of Personality & Wheel of Totality with Indra Rinzler
Some of the topics Indra Rinzler and I address: Vedic Astrology Enneagram Wheel of Totality http://www.indrarinzler.com
January 2021 Insight Timer Live Events: Smiling, Thoughts/Dreams, Interviewing And Really Being Seen And Heard
See full post for links on how to attend:
*(Authentic) Smiling (Practice)*
Revel in the power of real life smiles discussed virtually (for 15 minutes or longer perhaps). I invite participants to share smiles and experiences as I relate a somewhat brief formal practice of smiling on near daily walks a couple of years ago. — 10:00am Central – Thursday, January 6th
*What are thoughts? Are dreams like thoughts?*
Let’s powwow for 30 minutes or so on these two questions from my “Distortions and Dreams” event and also address the other question: What are the parallel between thoughts and dreams? We may even do some mindfulness of thinking meditation — 9:00pm Central – Monday, January 10th
*Live Meditation From Fat Cat Longevity* — 6:00pm Central – Wednesday, January 12th
*Interview Me (or Ask Any Kind Of Question About Anything)*
For 15 minutes (or more) I challenge myself into the awkward waters of not talking much until participants interview me or ask about anything. It’s also OK just to spectate. Example starter question: what’s something you’d like to ask someone, anyone, but for whatever reason have chosen not to (yet) — 12:00pm Central – Wednesday, January 19th
*Being Seen. Being Heard. Being in Silence, Eyes Closed.*
What does it mean to really be seen? Really be heard? To be in silence with closed eyes? Which of these is crying out the most for more nourishment from you & from/for those in your life? Let’s take 15 minutes or so to bounce these around with perhaps some mindfulness of hearing & seeing meditation — 2:00pm Central –Sunday, January 23rd
Review And Instruction Suggestions For The Four Postures Meditations (Live Recordings From Two Insight Timer Live Events)
This is an edit of two 15 minute Insight Timer Live events at 11am and 11pm Central on November 10th about instruction suggestions for meditating with the four main postures of sitting, standing, lying down and walking. This was inspired by a request for walking meditation instructions during my recent months’ silent Insight Timer LiveContinue reading “Review And Instruction Suggestions For The Four Postures Meditations (Live Recordings From Two Insight Timer Live Events)”
December 2021 Insight Timer Live Events: Eye Gazing; Mindfulness of Speaking; Distortions & Dreams;
*(Virtual) Eye Gazing*
Grab a partner or gaze into my virtual eyes while I gaze at the camera and we chat about the ins and outs, ups and downs, and knowns and unknowns of this beneficial yet sometimes intense interaction — Thursday December 9 – 3:33 pm Central
*Distortions and Dreams*
A 15 minute side glance at making New Years resolutions by exploring the barraging of barriers of distortions and the ups and downs of (some) dreams — Thursday December 16 – 6:00 pm Central
*Mindfulness of Speaking*
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it helpful? Is it the right time? For 30 minutes we’ll explore these guidelines for wise and skillful speech and share stories, challenges, insights and do some practice — Monday December 20 – 6:00 pm Central
Towards Everyday Implementation Of The Universal Beautiful Mental Factors
Dhamma and meditation teacher Beth Upton — who’s other chats I’ve posted — recently held a three part event with Dharma Gates called “Truth, Suffering and Liberation”. I’ve edited out most everything except my responses to Beth’s questions and her responses to me so please watch the full video at the end of this post especially if requiring more context.
Beth read an excerpt of the Aggañña Sutta about the origin of human kind on planet earth then linked our suffering, caused by the defilements (dramatic depicted in the sutta) to the Buddha’s antidote: the The Universal Beautiful Mental Factors (sobhanasādhāraṇa). Beth then offered a short teaching followed by a guided meditation and discussion on her condensed and more practical version of these Mental Factors from the Abhidhamma which are:
• Faith
• Mindfulness
• Non-greed
• Non-hatred
• Morality
• Balance
• Tranquility
• Lightness
• Softness
• Flexibility
• Uprightness/Authenticity/Truthfulness
• Proficiency
This post includes my responses (in an edited video) to Beth’s group-guiding questions along with a few new written responses.
Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I review the 63 consecutive weeks of online practice Denny continues to lead. The original (amended) show notes are as follows: (From Josh): (Depending on temperament and experience level, some may find this chat tedious,Continue reading “Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”
Wisdom Snippets: Core Contemplations
What’s here now when there’s no problem to solve? Wouldn’t it make sense — and be universally beneficial — to reflect and contemplate (more) on what’s really, truly important in (your) life? If yes, here’s perhaps a few: What is important? What stops me right now from complete happiness? What does this depend on? WhatContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Core Contemplations”
Integrating Presence 