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Sitting at the Door: Contemplation as Spiritual Rest
In The Cloud of Unknowing, contemplation is depicted as a “spiritual sleep,” a state where the soul surrenders to divine mystery through stillness and trust. This transformative practice encourages letting go of striving, allowing for a profound connection to grace and deeper awareness without the need for understanding or control.
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Be Still: A Contemplation of Presence
Advaita Vedanta, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Caravan of Love: Interfaith Healing & Harmony, Christianity: Faith, Teachings, and Community, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Faith in Action: Manifesting Beliefs Through Service, IntoTheMystic, Judaism: Faith, Teachings, and Community, Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism, Navigating Faith: Exploring Challenges and InsightsIn a world filled with noise and distraction, the invitation to “be still” leads us to the essence of our being. This exploration draws on various traditions, from Tibetan Buddhism’s middle way to the balance of loving-kindness and discipline in Jewish mysticism, and the non-dual teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Discover how stillness serves as the…
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Balancing Strong Determination and Just Sitting in Practice
Adhitthana and just sitting are two complementary meditation practices. Adhitthana focuses on strong determination to cultivate stillness and resilience, while just sitting encourages effortless presence and acceptance of thoughts and sensations. Together, they enhance awareness and equanimity, promoting a balanced meditation experience that deepens self-discovery without striving for perfection.
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Nothing Is Happening: The Profound Simplicity of Sitting Practice
The practice of contemplative sitting reveals that nothing inherently happens, despite expectations for insight or enlightenment. This approach emphasizes resting in simplicity, allowing thoughts and sensations to flow without seeking meaning. By embracing the present moment without striving, one discovers profound peace and the extraordinary within the ordinary.
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The Simplicity of Sitting Practice: Resting at the Door of Contemplation
In Zen, meditation is often called sitting practice (zazen). It’s a profound reminder that the practice is not about achieving a particular state of mind or striving for enlightenment. It’s simply about sitting. The posture itself becomes the anchor—a silent declaration of presence. Regardless of what the mind is doing, the act of sitting holds…
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Sitting at the Door of Contemplation: A Practice of Trust and Patience
Contemplation is often misunderstood as an active pursuit of profound experiences or enlightenment. But the true essence of the practice lies in humility, patience, and surrender. It’s less about achieving something and more about sitting at the door of contemplation, waiting with trust and openness for grace to unfold. The Cloud of Unknowing beautifully describes…
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Finding the Stillness in All Things: A Journey through Balance
In a world filled with noise and distraction, the invitation to “be still” leads us to the essence of our being. This exploration draws on various traditions, from Tibetan Buddhism’s middle way to the balance of loving-kindness and discipline in Jewish mysticism, and the non-dual teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Discover how stillness serves as the…
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The Sacred Shift: From Seeking to Being
“The Wisdom of No Escape” by Pema Chödrön, Advaita Vedanta, “How to Be Sick” by Tony Bernhard, “Ramana Maharshi’s Forty Verses On What Is”, “The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen” by Namkhai Norbu, “The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Healing: The Legacy of Ron Kurtz”, “The Pristine Mind” by Orgyen Chowang, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Caravan of Love: Interfaith Healing & Harmony, Christian Mystic: St. John of the Cross, Christianity: Faith, Teachings, and Community, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Global Wellness: Nurturing Health and Harmony, Guiding Principles, Health and Wellness: Nurturing Body, Mind, and Spirit., IntoTheMystic, Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge and Self-Inquiry, Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism, ME/CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Navigating Wellness and Support, ME/CFS Prayers: Finding Solace and Strength in Spirituality, ME/CFS Self-Compassion: Embracing Healing and Understanding, Meditation Practices: Paths to Inner Peace and Clarity, Mindfulness of Emotions, Mindfulness Practices- Zen, Dharma, Advaita Vedanta, Nonduality,, Mindfulness, Meditation and Personal Growth, Practices of Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara), Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mental Discipline, Spirituality, Psychology, and Personal Growth, Teacher: Paramahansa Yogananda, Teacher: Ron Kurtz, Teacher: Sri Ramana Maharshi, Teacher: Tibetan Master: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Teacher: Tibetan Master: Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche, Teacher: Zen Master: Thich Nhat Hanh, Teachings: Tibetan Teachings of the Buddha, Teachings: Zen Teachings of the Buddha, The Dark Night of the Soul, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual RealizationIn this Into the Mystic post, we explore the transition from meditation to contemplation, drawing on Christian mysticism and Advaita Vedanta. Inspired by St. John of the Cross’s Dark Night of the Soul, we delve into the shift from active meditation practices to the grace-filled state of contemplation, where seeking dissolves into pure being. We…
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Into the Mystic: Hitbonenut and the Path of Dissolution into the Divine
Explore the profound practice of Hitbonenut in Jewish mysticism—a pathway to dissolve the self into divine unity through Bittul, experiencing Ein Sof, the Infinite. Guided by timeless wisdom from Rabbi Shmuel Reich and inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, this post reveals how contemplation transcends thought, opening doors to altruism, compassion,…
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The Importance of Relaxation in Self-Inquiry: A Gentle Approach to Inner Discovery
In the pursuit of self-inquiry, there is often a deep yearning to know oneself—to find the answers to the eternal questions that reside within the heart. Yet, the path of inquiry is not one of intellectual striving or relentless effort. Rather, it is the practice of deep relaxation, allowing us to meet ourselves with softness…
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