The Power of Meditation with Sharon Salzberg
Meditation practice is far simpler, more fun, less esoteric and much more relevant to the wide-ranging situations we encounter in everyday life than we might imagine. Rather than an ornate, arcane set of instructions, meditation consists of practical tools to help deepen Concentration, Mindfulness and Compassion. Concentration steadies and focuses our attention so that we can let go of distractions. Distractions waste our energy; concentration restores it to us. The introductory meditation technique you’ll learn is uncomplicated and startlingly powerful: You’ll improve your concentration by focusing on something you’ve known how to do all your life—breathing. The next skill, Mindfulness, refines our attention so that we can connect fully and directly with whatever life brings.
Mindfulness helps us get better at seeing the difference between what’s happening and the stories we tell ourselves about what’s happening, at not treating a fleeting mind state as if it’s our entire and permanent self. Lastly, we will explore the skill of Compassion, opening our attention through lovingkindness practices to become more inclusive, and in doing so, transforming the way we treat ourselves, our family, and our friends. We will spend time paying careful attention to our thoughts, feelings, and actions (positive and negative) and accepting them opens our hearts to loving ourselves genuinely for who we are, with all our imperfections. Experience for yourself the practical and transformational power of meditation. Session includes teaching, discussion, q/a period, and guided practice. Suitable for both beginning and more experienced meditators.