Special PODCAST:
This talk explores how to manage your energy as you pursue your aspirations.
You’ll learn about four guidelines: How to prevent unwholesome states before they arise, how to let go of unwholesome states when they have arisen, how to cultivate wholesome states that have not yet arisen and how to maintain wholesome states that are already here.
Subscribe to Jonathan's podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/jonathan-foust/id455422434?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
To receive a monthly newsletter, please signup here.
Welcome!
Spring is sort of here in Northern Virginia. The geese are pairing off on the islands on the Potomac and are now extra-vigilant when I paddle by.
Mom and Dad hanging by the nest. (Young Virginia Bluebells in the background.)
The Blue Bells, Trillium and Bloodroot are emerging and despite the calamities and cacophony blaring in the media, life continues on.
May you find peace in the midst of all that changes.
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
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More on the Path
I continue to make my way through a series on The Eightfold Path, the guidelines for cultivating greater wisdom and compassion in your life as outlined by the Buddha.
Since last month's newsletter I've covered a few more topics:
The Path: Wise and Skillful Speech
You'll learn why not to use auto-correct on your phone, the impact and criteria for wise speech, questions you can ask yourself before speaking, a powerful communication model and what's possible when you pay attention to the relationship between your mind and what you say out loud.
The Path: Ethical Actions
You'll learn how you can use five precepts (guidelines) to deepen your life experience in a personal and nuanced approach rather than viewing them them through the lens of "Thou shalt not...".
The Path: Ethical Livelihood
You'll learn how Johnny Paycheck's classic country song "Take This Job and Shove It" ties into Buddhist psychology. You'll learn the importance of finding a form of livelihood that truly resonates for you, a model for changing your relationship to work and what can happen when you substitute the word 'work' with the word 'service.'
Fresh Photos
This was a month of contrasts with both snow and record-setting temperatures as well as a retreat in warmer waters.
Our pup keeps tabs on our local fox den in early March.Gulls come up river in early Spring to harvest the first hatching larvae.A break in the Grey. Spring sunrise on the Potomac.Geese on the move at sunrise.A tropical sunrise on St. John's.Free-diving.Underwater Namaste.For every great shot I end up with a good number of these.
The Clean Living Series
I'm doing an interview with Christine Waltermyer on meditation and intuition.
Christine is a buddy from my ashram days. She is an author, chef and wellness coach with a heart of gold.
She's offering a free series exploring meditation, food and nutrition, stress management and health.
Click here to register if you'd like to listen to this free series.
A Daylong Retreat on Saturday, April 30th
Exploring the Questions that Can Transform Your Life : The Inquiry Intensive
Saturday, April 30th, The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
Arlington, VA
9:30-4:30
"What is the most important question in your life right now? Discover that, and your journey begins."
The right questions can help you change your perspective, make important decisions, solve problems and most importantly, point your attention toward your true nature.
In this highly experiential and interactive retreat, you'll learn:
* How to use intuitive inquiry as a tool for transformation
* Meditation techniques for calming and clear-seeing
* How to use writing as a tool for insight
* Mindful movement flows and guided relaxations that help shift your brainwave states
Click here for more information and to register online
I'm coming up on 500,000 downloads of my dharma talks and meditations.
Thank you for your support! A big thank you to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington for sponsoring our Monday Night class. What started with 15 people in the basement has grown into a thriving scene with an optional hour-long sit and yoga class before beforehand and fresh-baked cookies afterward.
Would you be willing to give me a little feedback via this survey? It should just take a minute or two.
Please click this link.
Thank you!
To receive a monthly newsletter, please signup here.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the importance of finding work that truly resonates for you.
You'll learn how Johnny Paycheck's classic country song "Take This Job and Shove It" ties into Buddhist psychology. You'll learn the importance of finding a form of livelihood that truly resonates for you, a model for changing your relationship to work and what can happen when you substitute the word 'work' with the word 'service.'
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores guidelines for wise and skillful speech.
You’ll learn why not to use auto-correct on your phone, the impact and criteria for wise speech, questions you can ask yourself before speaking, a powerful communication model and what’s possible when you pay attention to the relationship between your mind and what you say outloud.
To receive a monthly newsletter, please signup here.
Welcome!
As I wrote this at Kripalu Center in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachussets where I was leading a teacher training, I was looking out on grassy fields while Washington DC braced for a snowstorm.
As one climate expert put it, "We shouldn't have called it 'Global Warming.' We should have called it 'Global Weirding.'"
Whatever weirdness you are experiencing, I hope this finds you well.
Graduation Day at Kripalu Center.
Evening Class at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
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The Path
It's been said that a great teaching can be grasped by a child as well as hold great nuance and depth. The result of the Buddha's life-long quest was the realization of four insights:
1. The fact of suffering
2. The cause of suffering
3. The end of suffering
4. The path that leads to the end of suffering
That word 'suffering' can also be translated as "unsatisfactoriness," "unsteadiness" or "stress."
Whenever and wherever you have a complaint, there is a cause for it.
Wherever there is a cause, there is a remedy.
I'm launching into an eight-week series on 'The Eightfold Path,' the means by which you can not only lessen your stress, unsatisfactoriness and suffering, but according to these teachings, truly unleash your capacity for happiness, freedom and joy.
Two of the talks are already in the can (click the links below):
#1 The Path: Skillful Vision:
It's important to check out a map of the journey before you begin. When you look closely at the terrain and listen to others who've gone before you, you can avoid dead ends and follow the most efficient route.
#2 The Path: Skillful Intention:
Your intention determines your destiny. Along with goals, which are measurable and require effort, intention is about the quality of the journey.
Images from Last Month
Junco ButtMorning DoveHouse FinchGoldfinch and Two House FinchesTufted TitmouseTruck Stop Meditator
Guided Video Meditation: "The Stream" (two minutes)
This last month I was with a phenomenal group of yoga teachers exploring the art of teaching meditation. We spent a few hours exploring along "Shadowbrook," the stream that runs through the Kripalu grounds.
This two-minute meditation explore the fundamentals of the Kripalu approach to being with the stream of sensations, thoughtforms and states as they pass through. Breathing, Relaxing and Feeling open you to what is here and changing. Watching and Allowing turn your attention to spaciousness and presence.
Apologies for a few of the shaky shots. It was cold!
The Energy Intensive at Kripalu Center
March 24-27
If you feel drawn to three-day program designed to dramatically blow off stress and tension while cultivating greater insight and calm, you might enjoy the Energy Intensive at Kripalu Center.
Shobhan Richard Faulds and I have been leading this program for about 15 years. It's based on cultivating and balancing both prana (energy) and chitta (awareness) using both classical and some rather radical techniques.
You can learn more here.
Join Me for a Conversation with Christine Waltermyer
I've been hyper-focused on healthy living for decades and am always looking for the 'best practices.' If you're on the lookout for what experts have to share on health, you might like to check out this offering.
I've known Christine from back in my days at Kripalu Center. I will be joining her for a conversation about mindfulness and how to tune into the wisdom of your body to access your intuition. You're welcome to join in.
Christine is a Professional Chef, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Author of The Natural Vegan Kitchen and a radiant person.
Her vision is to ask experts to share their best tips to recharge the mind, body and soul.
This offering is free and you can sign up here to claim your spot.
To receive a monthly newsletter, please signup here.
Special PODCAST:
This 2-minute meditation explores how to be with the stream of sensations, thoughts and different states.
The actual stream here is "Shadowbrook," on the Kripalu Center grounds in Western MA.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the importance of clear and conscious intention.
You’ll learn about the difference between a goal and an intention, how intention is related to karma, three main intentions you might keep in mind and how the spirit of an intention is to bring you back to the here and now.
Special PODCAST:
This meditation, from the Monday Night class, begins with a gentle stretch, a few minutes of conscious breathing, moves into concentration and mindfulness practices and then closes with a few minutes of resting in presence.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the roadmap to freedom and happiness.
You'll learn how awareness of the Four Noble Truths can dramatically impact your life as well as explore an overview of "The Path" that leads not only to more skillful living, but to the cessation of suffering.
To receive a monthly newsletter, please signup here.
Welcome!
Every great spiritual tradition speaks of the power of pausing.
I'm just back from a silent unstructured retreat at the Forest Refuge in Barre, MA. It was hard to break away from all my projects and commitments. To be honest, I didn't really want to go though it had been on my calendar since the day after the same retreat I did one year ago.
I'm glad I went.
I'm reminded again of how fast this life goes by, how precious it is to slow down and celebrate the rising of the sun, the gift of a warm cup of tea and the silence that can make it feel like a celebration.
The dining room at the Forest Refuge. Space and Silence.
One thing I always take away from a retreat? Remembering what I really want.
Along with health and love and feeling like I'm contributing to others, I want to know what transcends the ups and downs of life.
I want to know what it means to be awake.
That inquiry comes down to a few things:
* Intention
* Sustained practice
* Like-minded community
That's what the Year of Living Mindfully is all about.
If you live in the DC area and are drawn to both deepening and sustaining your practice in the context of a small and dedicated community, do check out these links.
A short article by Catie Whelan, founder of "The Lightening Notes," on her YLM experience.Applications are due February 15th.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Images from Last Month
January started off cold and grey. If you look closely you can see a huge murmuration of grackles beyond the Bald Eagle in the tree.With grey water reflecting grey skies, Canada Geese seem to be floating in space.My room at the Inn. "Everything You Need and Nothing More."Sunrise through an icicle at the Forest Refuge.Frozen water droplet on the end of an icicle.
Short Guided Video Meditation: The Mystery
I shot these images when I was on retreat at the Forest Refuge. With the milder weather in central Massachussets, icicles on the cliffs melted during the day and froze again at night. I was able to visit them in both morning light when they were hardened and the afternoon light, when they were softening.
Four Things I Learned on My Retreat
Meditation teacher Loch Kelly offers this question: "What is there if there is no problem to be solved?"
Take a moment and try that on.
That inquiry is the foundation for my practice these days and dramatically informed my silent retreat at the Forest Refuge.
Quite often when I start a meditation practice there is a sense that I'm trying to get somewhere or make some change. This question helps me remember who I am and what I seek is already here.
To listen to my talk, "Four Things I Learned on My Retreat," see the video below.
If you're interested in the topic of inquiry you might enjoy these recent talks:One Question Can Change Your LifeMore Questions That Can Change Your Life
Seeking Persons with a Regular Meditation Practice to Participate in a Research Study
If you have interest and meet their criteria, I highly recommend this experience. If you qualify, you will be supported by deeply caring and wise team of professionals.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University are seeking individuals with a regular long-term meditation practice to participate in a research study looking at the combined effects of meditation and psilocybin, a psychoactive substance found in sacramental mushrooms of some cultures. The study will investigate psychological and brain processes underlying such effects.
Volunteers must be between the ages of 25 and 80, have no personal or familial history of severe psychiatric illnesses, or recent history of alcoholism or drug abuse.
To discuss the possibility of volunteering or to learn more:
phone: 410-550-2253 or
email: meditation@jhmi.edu
website: http://www.hopkinsmeditation.com
Confidentiality will be maintained for all applicants and participants.
Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine IRB approved application NA_00054696
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Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the big take-aways from my recent retreat at the Forest Refuge in Barre, MA.
You’ll learn how ‘shift happens,’ the anatomy of an insight, how meditation trains your brain to process in new ways and how inquiry can help you shift from a small sense of self into open and spacious awareness.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores how you can increase your capacity for self-compassion.
You’ll learn what gets in the way of coming home to yourself, a comparison of strategies, techniques for accessing self-compassion as well as what it means to embrace the awakening of heart and mind. (Apologies to Lou Reed.)
Special PODCAST:
This meditation is from the IMCW New Year’s Retreat.
After a short introduction, you’ll explore a modified body scan meditation feeling or imagining space in the body imbued with a quality of gratitude, appreciation and love.
Special PODCAST:
This talk continues the exploration of inquiry.
You’ll learn some pragmatic approaches that use inquiry to deconstruct beliefs, to make decisions, to solve problems and to point beyond the rational mind to an experience of presence.
iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the power of inquiry.
You’ll learn about the ‘technology’ of inquiry, how inquiry can shape your intentions, dramatically change your perspective and shift your awareness toward a direct experience of your true nature
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the power of intention and aspiration.
You’ll learn how an intention can dramatically alter your life, how with a clear intention you are selecting a distinct new set of challenges and how offering the fruit of your intention can open your heart.
iTunes podcast here, online listening here, stitcher here, and Jonathan’s YouTube channel here.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores the profound and elemental teachings on generosity.
You’ll learn how central generosity is to both philosophy and practice, where to begin, how to practice and how generosity is a direct path to liberation. The session ends with a flute meditation and a reflection on the generous heart.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores how to determine what practices are best suited for you at this time in your life.
You’ll lean about the power of truthful self-assessment, the importance of identifying your patterns of resistance and how to maintain a practice that feels alive for you.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores what is considered the flowering of spiritual practice: Equanimity.
You’ll learn what it is, what it isn’t, a practice to cultivate equanimity and some thoughts on how to navigate change with ease and grace.
Special PODCAST:
This talk explores how to manage your energy as you pursue your aspirations.
You’ll learn about four guidelines: How to prevent unwholesome states before they arise, how to let go of unwholesome states when they have arisen, how to cultivate wholesome states that have not yet arisen and how to maintain wholesome states that are already here.
Subscribe to Jonathan's podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/jonathan-foust/id455422434?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
