Introduction to Chapter 5: Opening Reflections + Course Readings

Welcome to Chapter 5 in the Heart of Wisdom: Still, Flowing Water – The Mind and Its Contents.

In this chapter, we’ll continue to explore how Yin Meditation develops the intuitive insights of contemplative wisdom. Specifically, we’ll look at how this Yin approach to practice can open to the ways of seeing described by Samatha-Vipassana Meditation, that is a seeing that is infused with steadiness and clarity. 

By continuing to sharpen our perception of what happens moment to moment as we practice, we will now begin to appreciate the context within which all experiences occur. 

Here are the main Practice Themes in Chapter 5 – Still, Flowing Water.

• • Content and Context. An important development in practice is learning to recognize and differentiate between the content of what is happening (ie. sights, sounds, thoughts, sensations) and the context within which the content is occurring (ie. awareness, itself)
  • Yang to Yin Samatha-Vipassana. If you found the “Yang” noting practice to be difficult, the good news is that there is an alternative way, namely Yin Samatha-Vipassana. In the Yin approach, we learn to relax into awake awareness, without doing anything else but resting in the source of awareness, itself. 
  • Practice + Training. Please continue to commit to daily sitting practice of thirty minutes. Use the guided meditation in this chapter – Yang to Yin Samatha-Vipassana Meditation – until you have internalized the spirit of exercise and then practice without guidance, using the themes of Yin Meditation to creatively explore your experience.
  • Patience. As my teacher, Rodney Smith, said over and over again, the only experience to have when you practice is the experience you are having. May the patient persistence and sincerity of your practice cultivate your heart of wisdom and compassion. 

With metta,

Josh

Course Readings:

Chapters 3 + 5 of Finding the Missing Peace, by Ajahn Amaro  Finding The Missing Peace, Ajahn Amaro