If you’re just joining us for this month’s theme, please read the earlier posts:
→ Introduction
→ Week 1 Instructions
→ Contemplation 1A
→ Week 2 Instructions
→ Week 3 Instructions
→ Week 4 Instructions
Our August theme addresses what is probably the most pervasive misunderstanding about meditation — that practicing it will stop your thoughts and when your thoughts are stopped, you’ll feel good. We’ll explore the truth; you don’t need to get rid of thoughts to feel better, you simply need to learn to relate to them differently — with openness, wisdom, and space.
For the next few weeks, we’ll learn how we can befriend our thoughts, work with them wisely, and understand their nature. We’ll practice creating new pathways for wholesome thoughts to arise in the future. I’ll share meditations that will help you see that thinking isn’t your enemy, and you don’t have to get rid of it—you just need effective tools to help you stop feeding difficult thoughts and lessen their energy and intensity so they cause less harm and suffering.
Plan to listen and practice everyday, and use the exercises and contemplative prompts to support your efforts. The intention of this newsletter is to help you take care of yourself, so be careful and mindful—if you need to rest or take a break, don’t be afraid to do so. Check in with our community and ask questions in our chat!
Friends, this is my first year as a gardener and it’s taking me a while to learn how to do it properly. Earlier in the summer, a few plants wilted and a couple nearly died due to the heat, and these tomato plants struggled for a few weeks because I over-fertilized them. But with new and different conditions, they’re thriving. Thank you Earth for sustaining all of this life. Amazing.
Big thanks to all of you who’ve joined Steady, Calm, and Brave, our twice monthly live Zoom meditation sessions. Our next session is Saturday 8/16 at 9-9:30am EST. These guided practice meetings are a perk of becoming a Paid Member, so if you’re not one already, sign up so you can join us and get other perks too!
See you tomorrow with our first audio recording for this theme. Until then, may you be safe, feel steady, and rest with ease.
Metta+++,
Kim✨
