Somewhat Advanced (Yet Mostly Mundane) Practices

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”

Open Wisdom Wednesdays

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Replays of my (current,) brief, irregular Insight Timer Live series “Open Wisdom Wednesdays” where on some Wednesdays I ask (unplanned) general and specific questions for your wisdom and participants ask me. Meanwhile we share openly — likely from whatever is going on currently — to get at our wisdom

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

Ghosted, Ignored, Canceled? More Grist To Nourish All

I described this (now edited) April 29th Insight Timer live event as follows: 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 Cancel Culture definitions: a social environment in which publicly boycotting or withdrawing support for people, organizations, etc.Continue reading “Ghosted, Ignored, Canceled? More Grist To Nourish All”

Friendship: The Whole of the Spiritual Life

The description for the brief April 20th Insight Timer live event with the same title as this blog post was a sutta snippet: 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,Continue reading “Friendship: The Whole of the Spiritual Life”

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

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

Embodiment Coaching | (11/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu And Guests Lydia Grace and Elizabeth Foster)

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Insight Timer teacher Lydia Grace rejoins Denny and I along with friend and practitioner Elizabeth Foster for a roundtable about embodiment coaching. After introductions we speak much about the body and embodiment, especially in relation to experience and working withContinue reading “Embodiment Coaching | (11/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu And Guests Lydia Grace and Elizabeth Foster)”