Why Meditate?
Artwork © Dana Marshall
Written by Dana Marshall
Good question! We can think of meditation as being similar to riding a horse but in this case we are learning how to ride our mind. We don’t want to beat the energy out of this majestic creature but rather we just want to tame it. Meditation is a practice of taming and training the mind to be stable, clear and strong. We learn how to ride the energy of our mind rather than the energy of our mind riding us!
Life is challenging and has many unexpected twists and turns. We have a habit of adjusting outer circumstances rather than looking inward at our own mind. This is similar to covering the world with leather so that our feet don’t hurt. Shantideva an 8th-century Indian philosopher, Buddhist monk, poet and scholar said that all we need to do is put some leather under our feet and this will change how we experience the road.
The Buddha dharma teaches that the root of suffering is ignorance. Ignorance of what you might ask? We are ignorant of the facts of life.
We keep thinking we are solid, separate and permanent but meanwhile we are fluid, connected and impermanent. This state of being of openness and freshness is called Buddha Nature. We keep on forgetting that we are full of possibility and complete. This is an innocent misunderstanding with far reaching consequences.
Meditation helps us to remember that we are basically good. Meditation is like taking a daily bath in the culture of no mistake or basic goodness. Through the practice of mindfulness and awareness we learn to be present. We cultivate a mind that knows what is and sees clearly.
The buddha dharma is a life line out of samsara; the endless cycle of suffering. This is why we meditate, to learn how to take our seat in the saddle of our life and experience the ups and downs with equanimity and curiosity.
This meditation instruction has been passed down like freshly baked bread from teacher to student for more than 2500 years. It is well tested and proven to be of benefit to oneself and others.
Come join me to get a taste of meditation. You are especially welcome if you have a busy mind. This practice is made for us all. Everyone is welcome!
Dana Marshall
Meditation and Life | with Dana Marshall
Join Dana in her 5-week course to integrate meditation into your everyday life.
You will be introduced to the practice of Shamatha, a Sanskrit word that means peaceful abiding. The atmosphere will be infused with the view of basic goodness. When you complete this course, you will feel confident that you know the view and technique of meditation practice. An environment of openness and genuine community will be nourished in order to discuss and clarify basic sitting meditation, and how it can be a part of our everyday life. Each class will have a period of meditation, a teaching, a method to bring the teaching into experience and discussion. Beginner and experienced meditators are welcome!