WAY OF THE HEART
insight meditation
with Pádraig Cotter
sensing deeply into the heart of experience
sensing deeply into the heart of experience
Let me respectfully remind you
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
On this night the days of our life are decreased by one.
Each of us must strive to awaken.
Awaken.
Take heed.
Do not squander your life.
Zen verse
Take the time to dwell in the simplicity of your experience
in which the quality of awareness is more important than the content of awareness.
Time & Place
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Rahoonane Community Centre, Rahoonane, Tralee, V92D9HF
email: padraigwayoftheheart@gmail.com to book a place.
For Whom?
Beginners or experienced practitioners.
There will be guidance given.
What will the evening feature?
Periods of reflections & teaching. Sitting meditation. Standing meditation, Walking meditation. Some gentle mindful movements. Some space for sharing and responses. It may also feature some listening/speaking meditation in pairs. I tend to play things by ear depending on the group.
A sample schedule (subject to change)
20 mins Anchoring practice - mindfulness of breathing
10 mins Mindful Movement
10 mins Walking Meditation
30 mins Open Awareness- opening to the broad field of experience
10 mins Dialogue
10 mins Closing Lovingkindness meditation & dedication
What to bring:
There will be seating, but if you are used to sitting on the floor, best to bring a cushion(s), mat, shawl, meditation stool etc..
Atmosphere:
We will switch our phones off for the evening to allow a deeper immersion in the practice.
Cost:
The meeting is offered on a donation basis which can be offered on the evening or afterwards.
This practice is referred to as Dāna in the traditions I practice in. You can read more about that here.
There will be a bowl for cash donations on the day or donations can be made online.
Hope to see you there
Pádraig
email padraigwayoftheheart@gmail.com with any questions.
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What is Insight Meditation?
Insight meditation generally refers to a range of meditation practices drawn from the Buddhist traditions that act as supports for our freedom from suffering. It has mindfulness meditation at its core.
The overall approach emphasises an attitude of affectionate curiosity towards our moment to moment experience.
Anchoring the attention in the body and the breath, our receptivity to inner stillness can refine and deepen.
This receptivity opens the door for the light of Awareness to enter, for the silence of the deep heart to come to the fore.
We may start with a focused attention on the breath before opening to the broad field of experience including bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts and sounds. As our restless minds settle down somewhat - a gradual process requiring patience, we can encounter a sense of clarity, ease, and insight into life.
Like the sun breaking through the clouds, the light of wisdom and love, among other wonderful qualities, can dawn on us.
As Annie Dillard writes: "I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam."
Althought it is common to encounter difficulties such as restlessness, wandering mind, lethargy etc... this practice is not beyond any of us.
We can put ourselves in the path of the light's beam and let our lives be illuminated.
I have been practicing in this way for over 20 years and continue to be struck by the quiet beauty of the practice.
I'm contributing a few days of teaching on this 10 day retreat led by Nick Scott.
more details www.teachnatuisceana.org
"When you have devotion to the dharma, the heart opens. Then you see with the eye of the heart, and the eye of the heart sees in ways that ego-consciousness cannot. "
James Low