meditation

I think that words like “enlightenment” are silly, and I certainly wouldn’t self-apply them. To me, that terminology is a vain attempt to wrest a prize from the unending mystery. Nothing and nobody is “done,” or perfected. Everything is ongoing, and my current mental condition, as solid as it feels, might disappear tomorrow, or might deepen far bey... See more

Moreover, adopting this curious, receptive attitude throughout your life is what will make your practice actually meaningful. Sitting for long periods of time is not particularly useful if you don’t make practice part of your way of being. See if you can drop into a state of presence here and there throughout the day. Get into the habit of asking, ... See more

Before you begin meditating, it’s really helpful to adopt a permissive attitude towards your current state: however I am right now, it is fine. I like reminding myself that I don’t need to do anything to receive sensation—the universe will keep on being the universe, and interesting data will come to me, I don’t have to force anything. This can bri... See more

And, fundamentally, a critical attitude towards the current situation is detrimental to collectedness—it’s much easier to focus when you accept your current thoughts and emotions. Thus the most powerful meditation prompt I’ve ever heard, from Loch Kelly: “What is here now if there's no problem to solve?”