Integrating Presence

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny presents the long standing Five Element system mostly in terms of astrology, Qi and the body — an expansion on his article Qi and the “Real” Organs — with me commenting along the way until the Continue reading "Qi And Astrology &#124...

This meditation (recorded live) aims to strengthen and deepen the 32 Parts of the Body portion of Body Contemplation in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness -- not meant as regular practice or substitute. Partial inspiration comes from this Four Foundations of Mindfulness visual: "Just as if there were a double-mouthed provision bag full of various kinds of grain such as hill paddy, paddy, green gr...

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything LIVE” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I chat with meditation teacher Beth Upton most significantly about the Dependent Origination link Nāmarūpa, or Materiality and Mentality, which, according to Wikipedia, is “used in Buddhism to refer to the constituents of a Continue reading "...

In this (now recorded) mediation we worked with breath to embody the beneficial energies of: • Smiling • Our most relaxed experience • Gratitude [and/or appreciation and thankfulness] • Forgiveness • Service • Loving-kindness • Compassion • (Vicarious) joy [and/or gladness] • Equanimity • [Additional beneficial energies not mentioned:] ◦ various ideal blessings ◦ energies from (being around) your...

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything LIVE” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny draws from, and summarizes the teaching of Shifu Ji Ru to link together the Four Great Elements, Four “Mighty” Postures, Four Right Knowings, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Three (or Four) Dharma Seals, and Three Gates of Liberation.

This semi-formal guided meditation practice include these classic mindfulness images and similes: ◦ a relaxed cowherd after the harvest ◦ surgeons probe gathering information before action ◦ ploughshare to prep the ground for wisdom ◦ elephant’s neck supporting the head of wisdom while turning the full body to look, not just the head, for full attention ◦ climbing a platform with detachment for an...

Dhamma and meditation teacher Beth Upton -- who's other chats I've posted -- recently held a three part event with Dharma Gates called "Truth, Suffering and Liberation". I've edited out most everything except my responses to Beth's questions and her responses to me so please watch the full video at the end of this post especially if requiring more context. Beth read an excerpt of the Aggañña Sutta...

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — (despite some technical snafus) Denny and I pick one topic each we've yet to discuss much publicly -- the Eight "Touches", and wholesome sexuality(/sexual energy), respectively.

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I review the 63 consecutive weeks of online practice Denny continues to lead. The original (amended) show notes are as follows: (From Josh): (Depending on temperament and experience level, some may find this chat tedious, Continue reading "Mindful Pract...

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I reprise Zen, dig into Chán and primarily present Yi Jin Jing in light of its importance for linking body and mind. Show notes are as follows: (From Denny with the bulk of his notes Continue reading "Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask U...

This is a March 19th 2021 Zoom interview/conversation/teaching (experience)/chat with Ms. Beth Upton. For the video version I imagine some of this could appear awkward especially for the audience. While I seem to handle awkwardness with indifference, Beth graces with gentle and pleasant speech. From BethUpton.com: I have been teaching meditation since 2014, and the Continue reading "Well Rounded M...

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I address present day popular topics of interest related to, and expanding upon, last month’s AUA on Qigong and Daoyin. First and foremost, as our presentation states, this is not medical advice. We share information Continue reading "Corona-19, H...

This recorded live guided meditation goes through the first three foundations of mindfulness — body; hedonic or feeling tone of pleasant, unpleasant, or neither of these; and mind. (Apologies for the heating system and water feature sounds.) Join meditation 7:00-7:45pm Wednesday, February 10th at http://FatCatLongevity.com downstairs next to Peace Love Coffee at Mary’s House of Continue read...

Shortcut to this blog post: https://tinyurl.com/truthsnippets Definition of veracity noun — ve·​rac·​i·​ty | \ və-ˈra-sə-tē 1 : conformity with truth or fact : accuracy 2 : devotion to the truth : truthfulness 3 : power of conveying or perceiving truth 4 : something true makes lies sound like veracities Truth. Solipsism? 2 + 2 = Continue reading "Wisdom Snippets: Truth"

Repost from Denny K Miu’s Patreon with my (pre-)show notes below: As you all know, Josh and I have done a few AUA (Ask Us Anything) sessions.  This Thursday (1/14/2021) we are doing our first AUA Live, in response to a simple but profound question asked by our friend and a new student of our Continue reading "What Happens To Your Mind When You Meditate? | (1/14/2021 — “Ask Us Anyth...

For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I address the “McMindfulness” phenomena mostly by exploring the translation of the original Pali word “sati” — often translated as “mindfulness” — by offering up “remembering” as a more...

March 13, 2023 Update: Part 2 of this Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas is now available for purchase on Insight Timer as the five-day Progressive Breath Awareness Booster course and is entirely free for Plus members (which includes a 1-month free trial). Day one is free for everyone: https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/progressive-breath-awareness-bo...

For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I sum up the themes of our last two conversations on Mahayana and Theravada while adding in the 3rd Buddhist Council. We then wrap-up the developmental history of Buddhism in China, South East Asia and Tibet.  Finally we Continue reading "Immigra...

For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I expand from last month’s chat on “Hīnayāna” as a superlative and more on Theravada and Mahayana in general. We also get into: On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anath...

September 2020’s, open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — discussions about meditation and related topics — with co-host Denny K Miu primarily address the term “Hīnayāna” and misunderstandings about karma. My original questions for the talk (followed by Denny’s response): (from Denny:) Or listen via Insight Timer (app or website) you picked...

This conversation with medium and spiritual counselor Sarah Edwards was recorded August 19th, 2020 at Sugar Beans Coffee House in St Charles, Missouri. Sarah is an intuitive guide, medium, Usui Tibetan Reiki Master Teacher, and Clairaudient delivering profoundly wise, insightful and skillful messages. Find her on Facebook at Sacred Speak with Sarah Topics include: Intro Continue reading "Sarah Edw...

This “pilot” of sorts called ‘Ask Us Anything’ marks the start of a monthly, open-audience, open-discussion with co-host Denny K Miu mostly about meditation practices and related topics. Our format isn’t set in stone, but it may gel more over time. We may invite guests. Audience members may talk more. We may freestyle with zero Continue reading "Why We Practice |...

In Conversation with Sarah Edwards — show notes Part two of my conversation with medium and spiritual counselor Sarah Edwards recorded July 23rd 2020 at Mary’s House of Healing in St Charles, Missouri for IntegratingPresence.com. Sarah is an intuitive guide, medium, Usui Tibetan Reiki Master Teacher, and Clairaudient delivering profoundly wise, insightful and skillful messages. Continu...