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
Jude: I’ve long wondered, how do we actually heal? What does healing really mean, and what are the commonalities and differences in our healing process? Something that seems consistent in healing (though not always obvious) is the idea of titration; moving between a feeling of safety and groundedness on one end, to vulnerability and groundlessness on … Continued
Jude: Those of us interested in meditation are well familiar with the benefits of relaxation, peace, and ease. But at the other end of the spectrum there are complementary practices of ecstatic movement. In meditation we settle into our experience as it is, while with the practice of ecstatic movement we are stirring things up, moving … Continued
Jude: Lately I’ve been realizing that one of the most important aspects of meditation is learning the ins and outs of our own unique nervous system. My own system has an ever present buzz, a feeling that there’s some problem somewhere that needs fixing, and every time I’d sit down to meditate my mind would race … Continued