<p>Meditation is remembering to see the movements of the mind&apos;s attention.  We don&apos;t need to change ourselves; we release and get out of the way.  The Buddha left instructions on how to do this.  The paradox is that we don&apos;t turn away from anything.  Instead, we turn toward the mind-heart and relax into it.  This is the process of learning how to rest in the waves of life.  We see how mind operates, turn toward that realization, and release.  Seeing clearly enough will free us.  <br/>This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded as introduction to a meditation retreat. </p><a rel="payment" href="http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html">Support the show</a>

"The Conscious Perspective" Interview

Sifting through the earliest records of the Buddha's talks, we find a simple, elegant, and powerful practice. When he died, his teaching became an “ism”, Buddhism. As it spread into other countries, cultures, and eras his teachings or “map” was copied and re-copied. Shortcuts and alternatives were added and deleted. Compared to the versions of his teachings most widely known, his original meditation emphasized: Tranquility: an open, receptive awareness favored over highly focused, one-pointed concentration; Simplicity: loving kindness, serenity and insight all integrated rather than treated as separate practices; Stages: the practice matures through stages, each of which builds upon and goes beyond earlier stages (or “jhana”); Ease: relaxing as more important than striving. These podcasts are dedicated to this approach to meditation and daily living. I call it “easing awake.”