Backup Meditation with Chris

Mindfulness of the Elements 4-6-22

Lovingkindness for Self - 12-1-21

Gratitude -11-24-21

Just Like Me - 11/17/21
This is a practice of lovingkindness and compassion based on a transcript from Jack Kornfield. In it we work with seeing the common humanity of those we have difficulty with. It is a good practice to use with anyone in which we have a challenging relationship with. With the holidays approaching it can be a good tool to give us some fresh perspective and a more accepting heart towards friends and family.

Finding Stillness & Healing with the Breath - 11/10/21

Intention, Attention, & Healing Lake Meditation - 11/3/21
In this meditation we will start by reflecting on two primary elements that shape spiritual awakening. Then we will move into a guided imagery practice inspired by Jon Kabat-Zinn's 'Healing Lake Meditation'.

Resting in Spacious Awareness - 10/27/21
In this meditation we work with varying our lens of awareness. Starting with a very focused attention on the smallest detail of our experience, then widening the lens to include experience of the whole body, and finally widening the lens to open spaciousness, resting in awareness itself.

Mental Noting - 10/20/21
1,800 opportunities (seconds) for awareness

THE TEN PARAMITAS, THE PERFECTIONS OF THE HEART
We can take these on as practices and not worry about perfecting them forever. We are moving in that direction. Sylvia Boorstein reminds us that we can think about having enlightened moments, instances in which we can see clearly and choose wisely; to think about these moments becoming more frequent, more habitual. We might think about how much happier our life could become as we make wiser choices, and that's enough.

Generosity - 7/14/21

Morality - 7/21/21

Renunciation - 7/28/21

Wisdom - 8/4/21

Energy - 8/11/21

Patience - 8/18/21

Truthfulness - 8/25/21

Determination - 9/1/21

Lovingkindness - 9-8-21

Equanimity - 9-15-21

Summary -9-22-21

RAIN Meditation - A practice of self-compassion - 7/7/21

R - Recognize what is going on, the difficult emotion(s), roots of understanding
A - Allow the experience to be there just as it is, grounds of love
I - Investigate with interest and care, deepens understanding
N - Nurture with self-compassion, awakens love

Before you begin this meditation bring to mind a difficult situation you are faced with in your life. It could be a long ongoing struggle. It could be a current or recent challenge. Some situation where there is an emotional sticking point. What's bothering you? What's agitating you? It might be a health related issue, a work related issue, a relationship, a difficult or dreaded conversation, money worries...
You might recognize it as anger, fear, worry, anxiety, judgement, sadness...or any of a variety of other emotions. It is advised to work with situations that are mild to moderate as far as emotional intensity.

It is not recommended to use this practice by itself to work with traumatic events. That may prove counterproductive.

THE EIGHT PILLARS OF JOY
The following meditations are based on the eight pillars of joy identified in The Book of Joy. This book came together in 2015 when His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu got together to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and to spend a week discussing the question: How do we find joy in the face of suffering?

The first four pillars are qualities of the mind.