Meditation
"In any moment you can become the loving witness, you can become loving awareness. It's why we sit in meditation, it's why we train - not to have a particular special amazing experience, and hold your breath and hope it will last - but to sit with heartbreak and love." - Jack Kornfield
Life is suffering, or so goes the Buddha's First Noble Truth. Hearing this at age 25 was like a breath of fresh air - the recognition that I was not alone in my psychological suffering, and even more, that the end of suffering was possible as the Buddha went on to teach - these teachings were a huge relief for my system which knew suffering well. The end of suffering was possible. And thus began my commitment to meditation and studying the dharma (Buddhist teachings). That was over 20 years ago. My commitment has wavered at times, especially when my children were young, but what I definitely know is that meditation is a benefit in my life for which I am grateful.
My current teachers are Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. It's funny how much technology has changed the face of Buddhism since I first discovered it. I now listen to Dharma talks through a podcast app on my phone. For that I am also grateful.
Meditation infuses everything I teach and practice. I start and end my day with a formal sit, and intend towards presence throughout my day as much as I am able (which I humanly admit is sometimes sparse, but it's still my intention).
I believe that the practice of becoming a loving witness in any moment is possible for any human being, regardless of circumstance or neurotype. If you have a human brain you can meditate. Mindfulness is a muscle that one can train. It takes practice, but it works.
