Zen Master Dahui talked about the place “where the road of words and speech ends” (言語道斷) and “where the domain of mental activity disappears” (心行處滅). Meditation is connecting with that place through immediate experience – What’s right in front you, right now? Mindfulness is letting go of thinking and judgment, and returning to the mindContinue reading “What is the Place of No Thought?”
Category Archives: here and now
How Do I Stay in the Moment?
As we devote more time to meditation practice, we begin to taste what it’s like to be in the present moment. We gain a deeper appreciation for being in the moment, but we also notice how often we get pulled away from the moment by our thoughts and fantasies. At this point, we ask, “howContinue reading “How Do I Stay in the Moment?”
Is Meditation a Form of Escape?
Meditation is often portrayed as a state of peace and calm. With some practice, we do tend to get a taste of being grounded and relaxed. But, however reassuring that feels, we also quickly learn that this feeling does not last forever. Some of us might start to view meditation as a way to recreateContinue reading “Is Meditation a Form of Escape?”
How Do I Pay Attention?
“Attention” comes from the Latin word attendere, which means “to attend.” That is a big clue in terms of what it means for mindfulness practice! Mindfulness is simply paying attention to what’s happening right now. To pay attention to this moment means to attend this moment. What does it mean to “attend this moment?” Well,Continue reading “How Do I Pay Attention?”
What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Mindfulness Practice?
Formal practice is the soil, and informal practice is the harvest that comes out of the soil. Formal mindfulness practice is the time we set aside each day to practice the formal mindfulness technique – bringing our attention to the present moment, bringing our attention to the breath. When our mind wanders, we notice theContinue reading “What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Mindfulness Practice?”
Why Do I Feel Like I’m Starting All Over Sometimes?
After we have put in some time with mindfulness practice and have been practicing for a while, we have a certain sense of how things will go when we meditate. But sometimes, when our life is hectic, stressful, or challenging, we might find ourselves sitting down to meditate and having a hard time with theContinue reading “Why Do I Feel Like I’m Starting All Over Sometimes?”
I’ve Been Doing Mindfulness for a While Now. Why Am I Still Fighting to “Get There” Sometimes?
Sometimes we come to a mindfulness session with some expectations or preconceptions of how it should go: “I should feel more relaxed, more peaceful.” “My mind should get quieter and calmer.” In other words, we want to be “there” – more relaxed, more peaceful, more calm. But right now, we feel that we are “here”Continue reading “I’ve Been Doing Mindfulness for a While Now. Why Am I Still Fighting to “Get There” Sometimes?”
Why Does the Present Moment Matter?
Because the present is all that we really have. We don’t really have the future – it hasn’t arrived. We don’t really have the past – it’s already gone. Everything we need is in the present. For instance, the food and water that we need, we can only ingest them in the present moment, whenContinue reading “Why Does the Present Moment Matter?”
Mindfulness FAQ 