Wishes

• May all beings, who find discomfort and friction in meditation, through sincere effort, find equanimity and the light within.

• May all beings, who suffer from illness, through unrelenting conviction, find healing for themselves.

• May all beings, who suffer from mental illness, with love and courage, empower themselves to question and work with the mind.

• May all beings, who suffer from mysterious illnesses, through unrelenting conviction, find the answers for themselves and for the benefit of all beings.

• May all beings, searching for direction and meaning in life, find the time and opportunity to look within

• May all beings, searching for love and happiness in life, find the time and opportunity to look within

• May all beings, searching for the truth, find peace and harmony in their journey

Surfboard meditation

I went surfing for the second time in my life yesterday. I never knew Taiwan had such wonderful surfing opportunities until now at age 26. It is no surprise though, I spent much of my life thinking I had already seen and done everything so I often closed myself off to new experiences. Sheer arrogance and a lack of will to live fully deprived me of much joy.

As I battled the waves in a hulk like manner I was consistently blown away by the sheer beauty of my surroundings. Tropical mountains and a wild but comforting blue ocean seascape, what more could I ask for? Well, lots more actually, the mind is really skilled at wanting things endlessly!!

Thanks to the teachings of my new friends, I was riding the waves; I had little elegance but at least it was offset with much vigor and intensity. It was about two hours into the surf that I began to settle into a 'surfboard meditation'. As I rode the waves and was pummeled by the waves I began to contemplate how much change had occurred with regards to how I experience this precious human life. Sure, change is the only constant, but it still amazes me how much I feel like a completely different person sometimes.

It seems strange for such things to surface at this time but during my surf, the deeper recesses of my consciousness were manifesting past struggles. Mental relics and processes of my hateful past were showing up. Why I am not so sure but I knew they were to be taken seriously and not shoved under the rug, even during a surfing session. I vividly relived the past in my brain while I battled the surf. Days full of judgement, narcissism, and arrogance were brought to my attention. Days full of playing the role of the angry victim, the shortsighted warrior, the apathetic sloth.

Meditation can sometimes be described as the practice of seeking truth in every moment. As each moment arises we look at ourselves and our situation with the eyes of truth. As each moment dissolves we confront ourselves with an intense honesty so that we may be free in each new arising moment. So what was the truth of that moment? Well I think it was time to fully admit that every rotten thing that has occurred to me was exactly what I needed at the time. Although I have been living without remorse or regret, it was time to admit on a deeper level that I was fully responsible for every facet of my life. It was time for me to recognize the power of each and everyone of us as a creator. The quality and essence of my being was anger and torpor so naturally the situations that I encountered were imbued with such qualities too.

Our existence is a two way street, almost everything that essentially aggregates into what we call a life works on a two way street. We all know this on some level. We have all heard the wisdom phrases such as 'you reap what you sow'. The problem is that we don't know these truths on any meaningful level so that they may be integrated into our daily lives. Unfortunately, myself included, we often only know these truths in a very meager way.

So how can we integrate the simple but profound truths into our existence so as to enrich and brighten it? My answer is meditation, the cultivation and upward processing of our internal faculties so that we can approach life without pre-judgement and preconceptions. Meditation sometimes is the act of inward observation while maintaining a state of allowing. The practice of observation without control, seeing without grasping. Pressing our ears to hear the world that we think we know so well with curiosity and tenacity. My friends, the mind, like the body, prefers the path of least resistance. Meditation brings out this tendency into light again and again so that we become happily willing to swim upstream.

I sunk my feet into the ocean and hung onto my surfboard with my head resting on its side. I closed my eyes and allowed my body and consciousness to rest in uncertainty and neutrality. While staying vividly awake inside, I allowed the thoughts to present themselves. The truth of the moment was that I needed to take further responsibility for my past so that I could be more awake in the present. A distant rumble approaches, a wild wave crashes onto me and drags me into the deep. I remain in meditation. I take full responsibility for my life. Another rumble approaches, I am hit again head on by a sizable wave. I remain in meditation. I take full responsibility for my past and resolve to be more aware of my being. Again and again, waves crash, I am moved physically but mentally I stay right here.

This was my surfboard meditation and I am grateful that I have the luxury to do such things. May you discover your own inward processes as well for your benefit and the benefit of those around you. Remember that the ultimate teacher is inside you waiting to be developed. Do not deny yourself this.

Thank you for reading. May all sentient beings be free.

Meditation and Familiarity. Published at the Inspire Health Center newsletter located in Vancouver, BC.

Meditation and familiarity
By: Larry Li

Someone much wiser than I once said that meditation is running into reality, implying that there is space for discovery and of course, running. This line of thought is harmonious the idea that in meditation we are discovering ourselves and the world around us. Learning to see the world everyday as new and fresh is a part of meditation as is learning to see reality without impressing our own judgments onto them. Please allow me to omit discussions of concentration, mindfulness, and insight today as we explore the idea of meditation as the act of familiarity. Be aware that this article is intended to prime your attitudes towards meditation so that you can discover your own meditative states of mind.

The Sanskrit word for meditation is sometimes translated into familiarity or the practice of becoming familiar. What do we become familiar with in meditation? It seems almost ridiculous to say that we are not familiar with ourselves but that is exactly what I am contending here. We are not so familiar with ourselves. In meditation I had to admit to myself that I did not know much about myself. I was quite familiar with my likes and dislikes and I was skilled at pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain; beyond that however I had little more to say.

 In meditation we should seek to hold an intention for aspiration while allowing the mind to present itself in whatever manner in each present moment.  The keyword here is allow and the skill of learning to allow is one that can be difficult to cultivate. With time and consistency however it is achievable by every single one of us. Developing our ability to “allow” can bring about profound and much unexpected positive changes to your life.

 Furthermore, it is important to hold an open, neutral, and curious attitude to each mental phenomenon that arises. It is useful to maintain a sense of neutral witnessing in your meditation. Approach your own existence and consciousness with compassion. Often times we are extremely hard on ourselves in meditation and expect too much too quickly. Often there is an illusion within ourselves that we can control our minds, meditation can show you quickly that the key is learning to let go of this desire for control.  Paradoxically, it is in learning to skillfully release this control that we gain a sense of control and knowing on a deeper level. This is a common theme in meditation as the inner path often presents knowledge that upon first examination seem contradictory.   

With regards to the act of becoming familiar, I say that there is no bad meditation and there is no good meditation; there simply is. In meditation we practice just observing ourselves and nothing more. It is important to equip yourself with a deep sense of humility as you approach your own existence with a blank slate. By doing this we will slowly become familiar with our tendencies to judge ourselves. We will become familiar with how we instantly react to steer the mind to a “good” place. In meditation we seek to see more than just the light, we seek to learn how to illuminate the darkness. Step by step we become more familiar and step by step our awareness expands. Concentration and insight is built from within and we begin to develop the capacity to truly internalize and integrate with the truths that we recognize to be so. Meditation will change your life at the very core of your existence and there is no one but you to do it. Best wishes to you my friend and good luck.

Meditation translated as the practice of familiarity. I need your help!

Hello my dear readers. I recently wrote an article for a health centre here in Vancouver speaking about meditation and how is can be seen as a practice of familiarity. They have asked me to do a revision of the article and I could really use some feedback from anyone and everyone. They gave me two main points to focus on.

1. streamline the message with more of a focus on one singletheme

2. simplify the language – write about it like you would choose to talk about it – with passion, yet simplicity.

If you could read the article and tell me what you think I would greatly appreciate any feedback whether positive or negative.

Thanks in advance.

Below is the article:

Meditation and familiarity

In my experience, meditation is a broad term that is difficult to communicate effectively. The word meditation triggers a variety of thoughts influenced by culture, region, and religion. Some people will think visualization or inner peace or long sounds of OM. Others will think of meditation as a state with no thoughts or a state of pure love and compassion. As a young seeker I struggled when I heard instructions along the lines of “fill yourself with love and compassion.” Upon hearing this I would immediately fire back with the question of how? And are you kidding me? How do I fill myself with something that I am unfamiliar with? Something that I only have a limited awareness of? The answer was neutral observation of the self but it would take me years to fully understand that answer.

Someone much wiser than I once said that meditation is running into reality, implying that there is space for discovery and of course, running. This line of thought is harmonious the idea that in meditation we are discovering ourselves and the world around us. Learning to see the world for what it is without precepts and judgments tacked on by fragments of the whole truth. Please allow me to omit discussions of concentration, mindfulness, and insight today as we explore the idea of meditation as the act of familiarity.

The Sanskrit word for meditation is sometimes translated into familiarity or the practice of becoming familiar. What do we become familiar with in meditation? It seems almost ridiculous to say that we are not familiar with ourselves but that is exactly what I am contending here. We are not so familiar with ourselves. In meditation I had to admit to myself that I did not know much about myself. I was quite familiar with my likes and dislikes and I was skilled at pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain; beyond that however I had little more to say.

 In meditation we should seek to hold an intention for aspiration while allowing the mind to present itself in whatever manner in each present moment.  The keyword here is allow. Furthermore, it is important to hold an open, neutral, and curious attitude to each mental phenomenon that arises. It is useful to maintain a sense of neutral witnessing in your meditation. Arm yourself with the intellectual vigor of an inquisitive scientist and the compassion of a friend in meditation; there are no good and bad results, only results. Furthermore, in meditation we often have to work with truths that seem paradoxical and contradictory.  Does pain and pleasure arise from the same place? Find out for yourself!

With regards to the act of becoming familiar, I say once again that there is no bad meditation and there is no good meditation; there simply is. In meditation we practice just observing ourselves and nothing more. By doing this we will slowly become familiar with our tendencies to judge ourselves. We will become familiar with how we instantly react to steer the mind to a “good” place. In meditation we seek to see more than just the light, we seek to learn how to illuminate the darkness. Step by step we become more familiar and step by step our awareness expands. Concentration and insight is built from within and we begin to develop the capacity to truly internalize and integrate with the truths that we recognize to be so. Can you imagine how this will change your life and your experience of it?

Meditation and self-judgement

While meditation may be a simple task with regards with its instruction, it does not take long for one to realize how chaotic our inner landscape may be. In this process, we often develop almost instantaneous feelings of guilt or unworthiness. This natural inclination towards the negative and the critical however must be recognized quickly with compassionate awareness. Witness this feeling without further judgement and see how the mind naturally adjusts.

There is evidence, in my own experience and in the words of many sages that we need not to do more than direct our energy inward to make progress. It is said that when we simply take the time to observe our own conscious experience, we are in fact engaging in a natural process of purification and inner evolution. We need to do nothing more than observe without judgment and concentrate without direction. No matter how violent the waves of our mental ocean, they will eventually settle.

Approach your mind with passionate curiosity and penetrating compassion. Become a student once again. Often times we become enamored with the finger pointing at the truth rather than the truth itself. I say that anger, resentment, rage, and guilt will naturally fall away once they have been heard wholly. I say that negative emotions and constructs, through skillful observation, will evolve into positive forces so tangible that the way you experience life changes. Meditation asks you not to listen to me, but to come see for yourself. 

Meditation on compassion

It was another day of meditation, sadhana, and training here in Taiwan. I felt particularly lazy so I struggled to get into my practice. Before I knew it however I was two hours into deep meditation.

Feelings of sadness, pain, and suffering began to well up inside me. Nothing was wrong with me or my life in particular but the intensity began to surprise me. Emotions began to multiply exponentially inside me.

The writhing emotions felt natural despite their power. I felt comfortable within the sadness. I felt ease inside the suffering of the world. As tears began to form I could feel my sadness multiply. Before I knew it I was bawling my eyes out. I was shaking uncontrollably yet I felt calm at the very core of my consciousness. I cried with every fibre of my being. Is this compassion?

I felt the innumerable sadness of our existance. I felt the suffering and plight of the world, even perhaps the universe. I saw the dangers of our desires and how easy it is for us to fall as we teeter on the edge of bliss. Before I knew it four hours had passed and I fell comfortably into sleep.

Why is the human condition so apt for suffering? Why is pain a common necessity for the development of insight and wisdom?

"As a lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so I, born in the world, raised in the world having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world".

I remember...

I remember my battle with anxiety quite well, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, whatever you want to call it...

I remember the texture of the pain as I got to know it better and better. I lost all equanimity, even in the most desirable of conditions, there was no stillness or peace to be found in my existence. My conscious experience of the world was wretched. Sight, taste, smell, touch, were all distorted by the aching of my being.

It happened in an instant. Without warning the way I experience life changed. My mind was wrapped and wrangled in an endless net of mental impulses that kept firing. My mind was a train-wreck that would not stop. I begged it to stop.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to end it all. How long could I go on feeling this way? I tried everything, nothing worked. Drinking myself into oblivion only left me feeling the very same. Even in the most inebriated of states I could still feel that aching gnawing inside me, screaming everything was not okay.

I think that is all I can share today. Hope everyone is well. Good night my friends.