Friday Night Meditation with Lisa Steele

Meditation is a way of slowing down and getting to know yourself, a way of making friends with your life and developing strength of mind, and a way of synchronizing body and mind in the present moment. It is a way of becoming fully present and appreciating your world.

This form of meditation is called shamatha (calm abiding), which is a meditation specifically focusing on mindfulness and awareness. Developing mindfulness cultivates a mind that rests calmly, and developing awareness cultivates a mind that sees clearly.

Often we think about meditation as some kind of unusual, holy spiritual activity. As we practice, that is one of the basic beliefs we try to overcome. The point is that meditation is completely normal; it is the mindful quality present in everything we do.

In meditation we are continuously discovering who and what we are. That could be quite frightening or quite boring, but after a while, all that slips away. We get into some kind of natural rhythm and begin to discover our basic mind and heart. We begin by simplifying everything. We sit on the cushion, follow our breath and watch our thoughts. That is what we call the journey or the path: continuously trying to recognize that we can actually relax and be who we are. That is where the journey begins; by committing to sit and be present with the breath.

This class will involve a brief asana practice suitable for all levels followed by both seated and walking meditation (with instruction for newcomers) and will close with savasana.

Location: Yogalife Queen Anne, 8 Boston Street

Time: 7:00-8:15pm

Dates: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. Upcoming Dates:  Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24

Cost: $15 drop-in (or use your Yogalife pass)

Call 206-529-0581 or 206-283-9642 for more information.