Jude: Who are you? Or what are you? Many meditative traditions emphasize self-inquiry, a practice exploring the nature of Self. But my sense is that many are too soon to dismiss the Self as illusory, before they really get to know it. There are a lot of great things about ourselves, or more accurately, our constellation of parts … Continued
Jude: What does it mean to celebrate? Well in my 20s I had a very particular idea of how to celebrate. It definitely wasn’t healthy. My body wasn’t happy. But now I’m opening up to a more fundamental form of celebration, simply through an appreciative presence, and acknowledging what’s meaningful. Join us in a quiet and … Continued
Jude: Some time ago I encountered what is called The Paradoxical Theory of Change. It essentially states that by trying to make change happen, we sometimes become more stuck; and change often happens as the result of giving up the fight and coming to a full-body acceptance of where we are. I’ve since noticed another embodiment of this … Continued
Jude: Caregiving can take many forms, but maybe the most essential form is simply compassionate presence. It’s easy to get caught up in doing, in trying to fix, in contemplating the endless problems that seem insurmountable… that we can often lose sight of the power and impact of our attention. Being present with others, and ourselves, … Continued
Jude: While a major theme in meditative traditions is accepting ourselves and the world as is, there are also practices, largely in tantric traditions, focused on cultivating desired qualities of mind and being. This practice will begin with the important foundational practice of self-acceptance, and then move into the imaginative realm where we will visualize images, … Continued