Each morning, we were introduced to a new insight practice to experiment with. The practice that surprised me the most was noticing vedanā – the pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral feeling tones that come with every experience. We all on some level have noticed that feelings, no matter their “tone”, are…
“The most important thing in learning the jhanas,” began Dharma teacher Leigh Brasington, looking out to a roomful of eager meditators draped in a rainbow of shawls and jackets, “is to not have any expectations.” Well, I certainly checked that box. When I signed up for this retreat, titled “Jhanas…
The bell sounded three times to end the sit. I slowly opened my eyes. My body felt light as air – just moments ago, it had felt no different from air itself, its boundaries dissolving into the empty space of the room. My mind hummed with ease, clarity, and tranquility.…
I paused for a few seconds in front of the empty space on the condiment table, and drew back my hand which had already reached out in habit. “Strange,” I thought, “it’s always been here for the past week”. I went back and scanned all the condiment containers, once, then…