emptiness – Integrating Presence

Awareness Itself | July 25/26, 2024 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #23

In this twenty-third installment of the ongoing live series with Wendy Nash inquiring into meditation practice on and off the cushion we explore awareness itself, particularly in light of just having audited a retreat on it. Retreat Notes Disclaimers: Insights: Types of practices (that occurred to me): Questions: (Somewhat) Related: From https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/12/podcast-jhanic-factors-and-formless-realms-contemplation-meditation: ‘It’s not aContinue reading “Awareness Itself | July 25/26, 2024 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #23”

Lankavatara Sutra: Notes And Questions

Shortcut to this blog post: https://tinyurl.com/redpinelanka If remembering correctly the only text the legendary Bodhidharma took with him to the East was the Lankavatara Sutra. That in itself ought be enough to read it. So after urging of a Dharma friend; the perception were it seems Chan has moved away from [amazon affiliate program link]:Continue reading “Lankavatara Sutra: Notes And Questions”

Conveying Contemplativeness And Practical Mysticism With Keith Kristich

On August 23, 2023, Keith Kristich and I talked about slowing down, practical mysticism, practices, opening to what is, truth, the divine, emptiness, nothingness, somethingness, form and formlessness, space between thought and sound, buzzing in ears from too much caffeine before meditation, silence, listening to inner sound of silence, sky as metaphor for our true nature,Continue reading “Conveying Contemplativeness And Practical Mysticism With Keith Kristich”

What Is Meditation? | 11/2/2022 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #02

We primarily address what meditation actually is while spiraling up, around and back on this topic to also include, amongst others: examples of what is and isn’t meditation; mind training; intention; familiarity with the mind; heart qualities; wisdom; aspiration; samatha; ego; Chittamatra or Yogācāra via the statement “emotions are thoughts”; scoundrels; conceit; foolishness; belonging; emotional mirroring; etc.

June 2022 Insight Timer Live Events: Cultivating Discernment; Formless Realms; You Teach Me; Matrix Or Truman Show?

*Ask For (A) Change*
Where I continue exploring a format change for the monthly “Ask Us Anything”: 1) give and ask of each other advice; 2) needed changes individually & collectively; and 3) continuing the themes of speaking up & inquiring/investigating to spark curiosity & enthusiasm
https://integratingpresence.com/2022/05/31/ask-for-a-change

*(Jhanic Factors And) Formless Realms Contemplation/Mediation*
Addressing the politics and emotional charges often associated with Jhana & nimitta before talking about jhanic factors then placing this aside for a guided meditation/contemplation based on “The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness (MN 121)” involving village, wilderness, earth and the four formless states
— https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/12/podcast-jhanic-factors-and-formless-realms-contemplation-meditation

*Cultivate, Develop, Train And Progress Discernment*
We all need discernment, but how? Let’s look at some ways to cultivate, develop, train and progress discernment. While there’s much to discernment, one key: “. . . one listening well gains discernment” ~from Āṭavaka’s Questions —
https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/06/podcast-cultivate-develop-train-and-progress-discernment

*You Teach Me*
A (brief) experiment where (you) the audience teach me anything you’d like. It could be from the spiritual journey, inner work, everyday life, work, play, groups, family, friends, enemies, frenemies, relationships, etc. I may fill in gaps with how to approach others for knowledge, teachings, etc — https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/26/podcast-you-teach-me

*Is Your Awakening Journey More The Matrix or The Truman Show?*
A brief 15 minute or so more lighthearted approach to the sometimes intense and weird moments of awakening via The Truman Show and Matrix films as reference points — https://join.wisdom.audio/oxBs

*Blocks, Paths, One-Way, (Super) Highways and Byways*
Let’s briefly explore these plus matrixes, nodal/access points, gates, portals, vehicles, crafts, dream-walking, teleportation, hitchhiking, ride sharing, mass transit, migration, flight, and other travel terms literally, figuratively, metaphorically & in the context of the “Ask Us Anything” format — https://join.wisdom.audio/mfSD

Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For February 2022

Sangha, criticism, the two truths, service to others, emptiness, generosity, conduct, non-clinging, non-harming, energy, the three unwholesome roots, and clarity round out the main topics for February 2022, month six of “The Pāramitā Challenge”. See also Months 1-3, Month 4 and 5. Instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions toContinue reading “Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For February 2022”

Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For January 2022

Meditation, concentration, contemplation, intoxicating substances, cravings, awakening, wisdom, and future Buddhahood round out the main topics for month five of “The Pāramitā Challenge” in January 2022. See also Months 1-3 and Month 4.

In addition to contemplating topics about the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, this challenge also includes precepts, the (10 Abodes from the) 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

Instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For December 2021

Apparently November 2021 was a break so December is month 4 of “The Pāramitā Challenge” (which I previously wrote and spoke on the first three months.)

This month includes the Pāramitā on diligence, the Right Speech precept (also doubling as a past Insight Timer live event) and the middle stages of the 10 Abodes from the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva.

Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For August, September And October 2021

When presented with “The Pāramitā Challenge” I accepted and here we are. In addition to the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, the challenge also includes precepts and the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

So far, instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

I’ve not taken Bodhisattva vows, and so with little instruction in Mahāyāna Buddhism, apart from maybe a smidgen of the zen stuff, there’s the benefit of beginner’s mind is a nice way to put it. I shoot from the hip with a lot in this recording and will often use a Theravada lens and a lot of inquiry as I ponder out loud. It may come off at times as criticism and sometimes it may actually be, but these are mostly solo efforts at summonings what is really meant by the material.

Form And Formless | (6/29/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything LIVE” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny draws from, and summarizes the teaching of Shifu Ji Ru to link together the Four Great Elements, Four “Mighty” Postures, Four Right Knowings, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Three (or Four) Dharma Seals, and Three Gates of Liberation.