Live Meditation with Michael Verlouw
The Natural Tree of Refuge
In many Buddhist traditions it is customary to connect – in the heart/mind – with teachers and other inspiring figures who can support the practice before beginning the practice.
Such a way of taking refuge can support our intention and give us a sense of being part of something bigger, something broader, something deeper than our own individual practice. We are part of a tradition.
In the Theravada tradition – the tradition in which many of my teachers, including myself, are trained – this form of practice is used less often.
I would like to bring about change in that.
That's why this meditation: The Natural Tree of Refuge. A relaxing meditation that grounds and connects you.
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Dzogchen, also known as “the Great Perfection” in Tibetan Buddhism, is an advanced form of meditation and spiritual practice that aims to gain direct insight into the nature of the mind and reality. It is considered one of the most refined and profound practices within Tibetan Buddhism.
Dzogchen is rooted in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is also called “Atiyoga”, which means “the highest yoga”. It is considered the most direct and immediate approach to enlightenment and often requires an experienced teacher to guide the practitioner through the stages of practice.
The core of Dzogchen meditation is to directly recognize our true nature, our “rigpa” (original consciousness), which is naturally pure, clear and radiant. It is the realization of our own “buddha nature”, that is, that we are already enlightened in essence. Unlike some other meditative approaches, Dzogchen does not seek to change, transform, or achieve something new, but to realize what is already naturally there.
Dzogchen practice includes various meditative techniques, such as “rigpa” meditation, which involves observing consciousness and recognizing the essence of the mind. There are also techniques aimed at transcending concepts and duality to enable direct awareness of the nature of the mind.
Heart meditation, also known as “metta meditation” or “loving-kindness meditation,” is a meditative practice aimed at cultivating loving-kindness and compassion toward yourself and others. It is a common form of meditation in Buddhist traditions, but it is also practiced in other spiritual and secular contexts. Heart meditations can also focus on other heart qualities, for example: gratitude, fellow joy and equanimity.
The core of heart meditation is to develop a sense of unconditional love, kindness, compassion and goodwill for all living beings, including yourself. It is based on the realization that every being has the desire to be happy and avoid suffering, and that we are all connected in this desire for happiness.
The purpose of heart meditation is to increase compassion, love and compassion for ourselves and others, transforming negativity and promoting a positive, loving attitude towards the world around us. It is a powerful meditative practice that helps cultivate an open heart and a deeper understanding of our connection with others.
Mindfulness is a mental state of awareness characterized by attentive and non-judgmental observation of the present moment. It is a practice that has its roots in Buddhist meditation, particularly in the Vipassana tradition, but it is now also widely applied in secular contexts and psychological therapies.
Essentially, mindfulness involves being fully aware of what is happening in the present moment, without judging the experiences. It involves observing thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and external circumstances without clinging to or rejecting what is happening. It is the cultivation of an open, accepting and non-reactive attitude towards the inner and outer world.
Mindfulness is often practiced through meditation, which involves focusing your attention on breathing, body sensations, sounds, or other objects of awareness. In addition to formal meditation, mindfulness can also be applied in everyday life, where you remain aware of your actions, thoughts and emotions as you perform various activities.
The benefits of mindfulness have been extensively studied and include reducing stress, improving concentration, emotional resilience, well-being and better self-regulation. It helps people to live more consciously, to enjoy the present moment more and to be less carried away by worries about the past or the future.
Origin: Vipassana comes from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, which spread mainly in countries such as Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia.
Meaning: Vipassana means “insight” or “clear perception” in Pali, an ancient Indian language. It focuses on developing insight into the true nature of reality through attentive observation of bodily sensations, emotions and mental processes.
Meditation Practice: Vipassana emphasizes observing the breath, body sensations and thoughts without judging them. This helps develop awareness, concentration and breaking illusions and identifications.
Origin: Zen, also known as Chan, originated in China and was later brought to Japan. It is a Mahayana Buddhist tradition that also found its way to other parts of East Asia.
Meaning: Zen stands for “meditation” in Chinese. It emphasizes direct experience and intuitive insights into the nature of existence, beyond concepts and dualities.
Meditation practice: Zen meditation, known as “zazen,” is often practiced in sitting meditation (sitting on a cushion) or in movement meditation, such as “kinhin” (walking meditation). In zazen, the practitioner usually focuses on breathing and observes thoughts and feelings without clinging to or fighting them.
The substantive line that we at 30NOW Following is a contemporary approach to Buddhist meditation. Central is the practice of mindfulness or attention: an acknowledging awareness of physical and mental experiences. Although there are differences in styles and content of the meditations offered, they all align with the principle of mindfulness. Meditations are also offered that can develop other qualities such as calmness, kindness and compassion.
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Op 30NOW.nl/supervisors you can see which permanent supervisors regularly give a live meditation or lecture.
Tip: Use the (free) Live Announcements and receive the announcement in your mailbox 12 hours before each Live session.