Resting in the Waves, Chapter 2: This episode offers an introduction to the teachings of the Buddha, how they can be summed up as “everything is in process,” and what that means for us as practitioners. Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind&apos;s Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.     <a rel="payment" href="http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html">Support the show</a>

Fluidity of Mind

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.”