Holding to Nothing Whatever

In a world intent on keeping us constantly distracted, one of the most radical things we can do is develop a deeper and more authentic relationship with our direct experience. The authenticity we develop supports us to see ever more clearly both the arising of suffering and the ever present potential for deepening into freedom.
Together we’ll pay close attention to what supports an individual and collective felt sense of safety, dignity, and belonging. This includes learning some simple neuro-sensory techniques and practising self and co-regulating skills.

Then we’ll be delving into the pithy meditation instructions of the Indian mahasiddha Tilopa, known as the Six Words of Advice, which support the establishment of Right View. Tilopa encourages us to let go of the past, the future, analysis, and control, allowing the mind to rest in clarity and openness — a holding to nothing whatever. From this clarity, we are free to respond to ourselves, others and the world with more courage, creativity, and conviction.

Finally, we’ll explore the bodhi angas, the Seven Factors of Awakening. These describe qualities that both orient our practice towards freedom and naturally emerge as the mind releases its habitual grasping. In this sense, they can be understood as the unfolding of what Tilopa’s instructions point toward: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, calm, concentration, and equanimity arising as we deepen into presence and heartfelt responsiveness. From here, we are free to respond to ourselves, others and the world with more courage, creativity, and conviction.

There will be periods of input, silence, simple mindful movement, group inquiry and reflection, as well as ritual.