Open thread 002
Discussion & resources for joyful meditation practice: metta, jhana, and TWIM
This week’s open thread, largely organized around accessible, pleasurable meditation practice (for beginners and veterans alike):
Pleasure and fulfillment have been central to the healing process, and - by extension - exploring how these concepts emerge in the broader world. Human suffering manifests in manifold ways, systematically, institutionally, and individually — prompting one to ask: what does it look like to abolish suffering?. It’s also prompted me to examine where and how bliss and joy have evinced themselves in my life - and how to welcome and cultivate them further, without clinging or grasping.
This search for pleasure, in turns, has guided me towards metta and jhana meditation practices. Let us begin.
Protestant Buddhism (VividNess). A useful starting place to counter the interpretation of Buddhism often found within [American] Protestantism. Notions of stricture, abstention from pleasure, and austere commitment permeate many common Western understandings of Buddhist and meditative practice. Making space for - and deliberately pursuing - the bliss and joy of meditation (found in metta and jhana practice) fundamentally shifted my practice: it wasn’t a disciplinary function to control the mind, but instead a pleasant state into which I could relax. Not exactly related to the resources below, but a useful parry to popular conceptions of practice.
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center’s TWIM (Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation) is a metta-based practice, adhering to the Suttas, to drive meaningful progress towards attaining states of enlightenment or awareness. They have a short introduction guide available free on their site, A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation.
November 4 - 13, 2022: I’m attending a 10-day online retreat to refine my practice and see what this whole TWIM thing is about. 2-3 hours/day of seated and walking practice, which will be folded-around daily work and personal commitments. Post-retreat trip report forthcoming.
Robert Burbea’s Practicing the Jhanas. Dharmaseed’s collection of Rob’s jhana retreat, including dharma talks, guided meditations, and Q&A sessions held at Gaia House.
Rob also ran a Loving Kindness (metta) retreat, which is similarly available on Dharmaseed. Perhaps a better starting point for the true beginner.
Want to talk about your practice? Share resources? Don’t even know where to begin?
I’m right there with you: fumbling around in the darkness, attempting different modalities, keeping what works - discarding what doesn’t. Readers, this is always a dialogue - reply to this post or send me an email, I’d love to hear from you.
Yours,
Leah