Sitting Meditation

Sitting meditation is not to achieve anything. It is to be fully present Sit in a comfortable position. Do not be afraid to change your position mindfully and quietly while you are meditating if you notice that the discomfort of your position interrupts your meditation. We allow the silence and calmness to penetrate our bodies. We allow the energy of the Sangha and its mindfulness to penetrate our body and mind. This is very healing.

Sitting meditation is like returning home to give full attention to and care for our self. Like the peaceful image of the Buddha on the altar, we too can radiate peace and stability. We sit upright with serenity, and return to our breathing. We bring our full attention to what is within and around us. We let our mind become spacious and our heart soft and kind.

Sitting meditation is very healing. We realize we can just be with whatever is within us our pain, anger, and irritation, or our joy, love, and peace. We are with whatever is there without being carried away by it. Let it come, let its stay, then let it go. No need to push, to oppress, or to pretend our thoughts are not there. Observe the thoughts and images of our mind with an accepting and loving eye. We are free to be still and calm despite the storms that might arise in us. If our legs or feet fall asleep or begin to hurt during the sitting, we are free to adjust our position quietly. We can maintain our concentration by following our breathing, as we slowly and attentively change our posture.