The main practice of Zen is awareness of the mind

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEm5Z36eunKP1P550hvSaUscXcjMEyFoGljq_SuBKWDGa12z6LZIrLpEeo1764_YuhXi3FtkbdmTpiBZACjHQBuK20bedAhH5x2WHZCZjMYaw-dOrVfSg172rPvVsfEd_n6_E8WHV4ZOA/s1600/mystical.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEm5Z36eunKP1P550hvSaUscXcjMEyFoGljq_SuBKWDGa12z6LZIrLpEeo1764_YuhXi3FtkbdmTpiBZACjHQBuK20bedAhH5x2WHZCZjMYaw-dOrVfSg172rPvVsfEd_n6_E8WHV4ZOA/s1600/mystical.jpeg" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It is useful to begin with a more tangible object to calm and refine one's awareness. Breath awareness can be perfect for this. We should cultivate a general awareness of the breath coming in and going out. During inhalation, we should simply be aware that this is taking place. During exhalation, we note that the breath is going out. Awareness is allowed to rest calmly in the present, while we breathe in a natural, unforced way.</span>

The main practice of Zen is awareness of the mind

It is useful to begin with a more tangible object to calm and refine one's awareness. Breath awareness can be perfect for this. We sho...

Read more »

The challenge of meditative practice is to cultivate stability-integrated with clarity

<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/barebonesworkshops">CLEAR SPACE</a></p><blockquote>The challenge of meditative practice is to cultivate stability-integrated with clarity, generating an extraordinarily useful quality of awareness. To bring this about, experienced meditators have found there must be a sequence of emphases in the practice. First seek a relaxed, wholesome, and cheerful state of mind. On this basis, emphasise stability, and then finally let clarity take priority. The importance of this sequence cannot be overemphasised.</blockquote>

The challenge of meditative practice is to cultivate stability-integrated with clarity

CLEAR SPACE The challenge of meditative practice is to cultivate stability-integrated with clarity, generating an extraordinarily useful qua...

Read more »

Clear Space awareness of the breath is practiced in many different ways.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqItfB84gduF-34YD7YSQxQ5hbfwWb1Skz7x5IKdRBqV-NE1cBrTAfSuPiHUTx2meJuv_rh5XQnPLr-sTL7oBhn552zwGmOTUuF6-soHi_8X0ylZv0c9sAhoXGOwxeX_28_WYdbYVR0tD7/s1600/800x600%2521%2521+-+Virginia%2527s+Majestic+Mountain+Sunsets+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqItfB84gduF-34YD7YSQxQ5hbfwWb1Skz7x5IKdRBqV-NE1cBrTAfSuPiHUTx2meJuv_rh5XQnPLr-sTL7oBhn552zwGmOTUuF6-soHi_8X0ylZv0c9sAhoXGOwxeX_28_WYdbYVR0tD7/s320/800x600%2521%2521+-+Virginia%2527s+Majestic+Mountain+Sunsets+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> CLEAR SPACE<br /> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Clear Space awareness of the breath is practiced in many different ways. Some people focus on the rise and fall of the abdomen during the in- and out- breath. Another technique is to focus on the tactile sensations, from the nostrils down to the abdomen, that are associated with the respiration. In yet another method one focuses on the sensations of the breath passing through the apertures of the nostrils and above the upper lip. All of these are valuable methods, and they can be especially useful for people with highly discursive, imaginative minds. They offer a soothing way to calm the conceptually disturbed mind.</span><div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"> <h4 class="zemanta-related-title"> Related articles</h4> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://stagesevents.blogspot.com/2015/04/in-any-communication-or-in-any.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="//i.zemanta.com/336853357_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://stagesevents.blogspot.com/2015/04/in-any-communication-or-in-any.html" style="background-image: none; display: block; height: 83px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">In any communication, or in any situation which you cannot confront because it is exaggerating, hot or aggressive</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://intuitivevoices.blogspot.com/2015/08/slowly-let-feelings-of-loving-kindness.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="//i.zemanta.com/359876752_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://intuitivevoices.blogspot.com/2015/08/slowly-let-feelings-of-loving-kindness.html" style="background-image: none; display: block; height: 83px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Slowly let the feelings of loving-kindness rise</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://socialpsychologists.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-primary-function-of-ten-stages-is.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="//i.zemanta.com/350624816_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://socialpsychologists.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-primary-function-of-ten-stages-is.html" style="background-image: none; display: block; height: 83px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The primary function of the ten stages is to recognise and not to fight.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://stagesevents.blogspot.com/2015/06/stages-intuition-yoga-practice.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="//i.zemanta.com/346417069_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://stagesevents.blogspot.com/2015/06/stages-intuition-yoga-practice.html" style="background-image: none; display: block; height: 83px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Stages Intuition YOGA Practice</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://socialpsychologists.blogspot.com/2015/07/when-we-become-aware-that-weve.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="//i.zemanta.com/350624860_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://socialpsychologists.blogspot.com/2015/07/when-we-become-aware-that-weve.html" style="background-image: none; display: block; height: 83px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">When we become aware that we've forgotten the wounded child within ourselves</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://socialpsychologists.blogspot.com/2015/07/anger-is-not-enemy-at-stages.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="//i.zemanta.com/350624820_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://socialpsychologists.blogspot.com/2015/07/anger-is-not-enemy-at-stages.html" style="background-image: none; display: block; height: 83px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Anger is not an enemy at the stages.</a></li> </ul> </div>

Clear Space awareness of the breath is practiced in many different ways.

CLEAR SPACE Clear Space awareness of the breath is practiced in many different ways. Some people focus on the rise and fall of the abdome...

Read more »