Photography as Meditation: The Friday Flower. Sometimes just photos. Sometimes with writing. Appearing on Fridays.
blush of compassion. © 2009 Mahala Mazerov
One of the themes you’ll hear me talk about on a regular basis at Luminous Heart is the concept of meditation beyond the cushion. By that I mean more than bringing the fruits of practice into life, and even more than trying to bring mindful awareness into our activities.
For most of us life is moving too fast. Our meditation practices (if we have them) are not established enough to be in the palm of our hands or at the top of our mental response when we most need them.
So when I talk about meditation beyond the cushion I’m referring to ways to continually train your mind in love, compassion and awareness as you move through your day.
One of my favorite practices is a brief and beautiful prayer called The Four Immeasurables. It comes from the Buddhist tradition, but the qualities it exalts are universal. Anyone, of any spiritual practice can recite this prayer:
- May all mother sentient beings boundless as the sky have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May they be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
May they never be separated from the happiness which has no sorrow.
May they rest in equanimity free from attachment and aversion.
The wish that all beings have happiness is love. The wish that all be free of suffering is compassion. Happiness which has no sorrow is joy. Freedom from bias, attachment and aversion is equanimity.
The Four Immeasurables are traditionally recited three times during meditation sessions, but I love taking them beyond the meditation cushion. I like having something memorized. I recite them when I’m waiting for something or someone, when my mind is chattering or when I’m ungrounded. In truly challenging moments, when I want to reach for some kind of spiritual support, The Four Immeasurables are right there for me.
There’s actually much more meaning than you would imagine condensed in these four lines, but I will leave a detailed exploration for another time.
I believe simply repeating the prayer (silently or out loud) will take you where you want to go, opening your heart and developing the qualities of love, compassion, joy and equanimity for yourself and others.
Recite the prayer for yourself, and let me know how it feels. I’d also like to know the prayers you take beyond the meditation cushion. (Even if you never actually sit and meditate.)
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I have been the worst (most-resistant, least-practicing) meditation student in the history of meditation, but I do have a soft spot for metta meditation and sometimes silently practice it out in the world, when I come across someone who seems to be stuck in trying circumstances. May you be peaceful and at ease; may you be happy; may you be filled with loving-kindness; may you be well. Once in a while I even say it for myself: May I be filled with loving-kindness…
Tracy´s last blog ..Reflection: Beginning, and Beginning, and Beginning
mahala,
the four immeasureables…tried /true for me as well! besides my “refuge” prayers i do say this one countless times in a day!
love to you on this beautiful friday!
hazel
hazel colditz´s last blog ..the core or middle of anything
by the way…i love the title of your photo! “blush of compassion”
hazel colditz´s last blog ..the core or middle of anything
Tracy ~ I actually think I could challenge you on being the worst (most-resistant, least-practicing) meditation student in the history of meditation. Why do you think I keep referring to meditation beyond the cushion? But it’s true we need to take our practice into the world. And that counts!
Metta is lovely and has a real resonance with the 4 Immeasurables. So beautiful you practice it out in the world and remember to say it for yourself.
Hazel ~ I love reciting the refuge prayer, too. But my tibetan (language) has gotten a little rusty on them . Realized the other day I wanted to pull out my taped recording so I can memorize them again.
Thanks for the Title Love.
I do have a hard time setting time apart for meditation. I think the reason is I normally think to do it when I’m either falling asleep or just waking up. I am more likely to fall asleep than make this meditation time meaningful. So, I find that rather than sitting still, I meditate when I run. I focus on my feelings, the weather, etc. It does give me peace of mind.
This prayer is just lovely. Thank you!
Have a nice day mahala.
Blush of compassion nice friday flower.
If we have love for every body we have happiness.
suffering and love are together by share love you can support you love one.
Equanimity is the calmness of mind we need every day to be happy and share
love.
We have to meditate for have the happiness and enjoy life.
I am thanks for the light, sun, water, air and all beautiful plants I have around me.
Being happy you don’t have time sorrow.
Virginia, Curacao Neth. Antilles
Mahala. Everything you said touches my heart . I love the beautiful flower also. May you have a day filled with happiness.
Beautiful image and words to match. Today as I see tension or resistance I feel happy to see, wow, what wonderful learning will come from this! Thank you for the reminder and for your practice.
Constance Casey´s last blog ..Care for Karma
Dear Mahala,
I recite the four immeasuribles everyday, throughout the day and on the cushion (a garden chair in the yard). They are beautiful.
P.S. I love your blog! All the best with your projects, may you be happy, may you be well.
The four immeasurables can be cultivated endlessly, which is why I like them. No matter what, you can always cultivate these virtues.