Easing Awake Meditation

Sifting through the earliest records of the Buddha's talks (as compared later commentators), we find an elegant, nuanced, and powerful practice. It is a cousin to the Insight Meditation often taught in this country. And, it has differences. His original teachings emphasize:

• Tranquility: an wide open, receptive awareness is favored over highly focused, one-pointed concentration
  
• Simplicity: loving kindness, serenity, and insight are completely integrated rather than separate practices
  
• Stages: the practice matures through stages each of which builds upon and goes beyond earlier stages (or “jhana”)
  
• Ease: relaxation, ease, and sense of humor are more important than striving
  

We call the Buddha's practice "Easing Awake Meditation." It is described in a series of short on-line articles:

• Meditation as Kindness and Wisdom
  
• Meditation as an Inner Glow
  
• The Mind Needs a Job
  
• Beginning the Journey: Initial Meditation Instructions Using the Buddha’s Map