meditation

Society places a lot of attention on bodies. Some we label "too big" while others we see as "too small." This body is attractive and that one is not. But on the outside, bodies do not consist of much, and it can be useful to contemplate the body in terms of its visible components, such as head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, and skin. When we break down the body into these elements, we become less attached to it. We realize that these parts are impermanent and ownerless. This practice allows us to shift our attention from appearance to more important matters. For more on this technique, see the Digha Nikaya 22.

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Mindfulness acts as the gatekeeper for the mind, and in this episode we develop our mindfulness practice by using the idea of a gatekeeper who guards the single gate of a city surrounded by walls. The wise and competent gatekeeper, like a mindfulness practice, keeps out strangers and welcomes in friends. This practice helps to build trust in the gatekeeper and awareness of the present moment.

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We live complex lives in which we race around from one activity to the next. Let this practice slow the mind, and slow down time. Train the attention to this moment. In this meditation, we practice responding to thoughts rather than reacting to them.

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Metta meditation (also called loving-kindness meditation) helps develop a propensity for kindness. In this meditation we practice and cultivate universal love for all living beings.

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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we look at the words and concepts we call "self." We meditate on words such as "my name," "my age," "my occupation," and other beliefs about "me."

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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we turn inward to the body.

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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we explore the concept of "home."

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In this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, we practice a well-known meditation technique called the body scan.

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Someone requested that I record some meditations that could be used to start a meeting. So in this episode of Pretty Good Meditation, I offer you Meeting Meditation Three.

Do you have any requests? Please let me know using the contact form on matthewtift.com.