Awakening to Our True Nature

You are cordially invited to join our online community exploring the theme, Awakening to Our True Nature. In each one hour session, we will discuss what it means to awaken to our true nature and explore meditation methods that bring us to the clear, direct experience. We will leave time at the end for questions that may arise from practice.

This class is appropriate for all levels of experience. Those new to meditation as well as those that have been practicing meditation for decades are welcome.

We draw from Theravada (Burmese), Chan (Chinese Zen) and Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhist traditions but our presentation is secular in nature and respects people of all religious and philosophical persuasions.

Session Overview

This was a meditation class session focused on "Awakening to Our True Nature," led by Barry with participants. Barry introduced a guided meditation practice starting with feeling into and relaxing bodily tension, transitioning to full awareness of breathing, explaining how to use the breath as an anchor to develop present-moment awareness before transitioning to open awareness without an anchor. The participants shared their experiences, with one noting she had many "sticky thoughts" that distracted her, one finding the urban noise helpful for staying awake, one appreciating the self-massage technique for coming out of meditation, and one discussing the intersection between breath focus and self-inquiry practices. The group agreed to continue meeting every other week at the same time, and Barry emphasized the importance of practicing meditation daily between sessions to maximize benefits.

Introductions

Participants sharing their backgrounds and experiences with meditation. A new member introduced himself as a longtime Amador County resident with experience in various meditation traditions including Christian, Buddhist, and Sufi practices. Barry explained his background in Transcendental Meditation in the 70’s and Chinese Zen Buddhism beginning in the 80’s, describing how breathing meditation technique that helps participants rest as awareness witnessing the coming and going of thougths. The discussion focused on how this meditation method helps people recognize the difference between their internal experience and outward persona, with participants expressing hope to develop greater skill in maintaining this pristine awareness even while in activity.

Meditation Process and Techniques

Barry explained the meditation process, describing how practitioners begin with a breath anchor as "training wheels" to maintain balance before progressing to “just sitting.” He explained that when thoughts arise during meditation, practitioners should simply acknowledge the thoughts and gently return to following the breath without effort, favoring "bright, open, clear awareness" where anything entering consciousness is accepted without judgment. Barry also mentioned that as part of this practice, one can observe whether thoughts represent grasping or aversion, though this doesn't require deep analysis.

Chan Meditation Technique Session

Barry led a meditation session where he taught participants a Chan meditation technique involving relaxing tensions in each part of the body and then transitioning to “full awareness of breathing” (anapanasati). When staying with the breath with few interruptions, one can let go of following the breath and just sit with full, bright, open, clear awareness. The group discussed their experiences, with one noting she struggled with persistent thoughts, one finding the format helpful despite some drifting, one appreciating the self-massage technique, and one reflecting on the intersection of breath focus and self-inquiry. The group agreed to meet every other week, and Barry emphasized the importance of daily meditation practice between sessions to maximize benefits.

Chan (Zen) Chinese character

This online event is offered on a donation basis. Your kind generosity makes this online event and website possible.

IMPORTANT

• You need a Zoom account (free) because you will be required to login to Zoom to attend the meeting.

• You must first register to join these sessions. Register here:

To be notified of future events, please click the Join menu item at the top of the page, or click here.

Questions? Please contact Barry Wadsworth on Facebook or Instagram.