Featuring Guest Donna Martin

The practice of Loving Presence is the foundation for the episode, and we move beyond Loving Presence to an exploration of our embodied response to challenges.

Donna Martin shares how Loving Presence naturally arises when certain conditions are met. We have the ability to support the conditions that allow Loving Presence to flower. When we begin with mindfulness, rest in the unknown, open to non egocentric nourishment, wisdom naturally arises.

I'm absolutely fascinated by this week's exploration with Donna.
We've been confronted with an incredible range of possibilities in relation to the recent crisis. What if, instead of focusing on 'what's true ', as it's been presented to us, we were to focus, in an open and curious way, upon our embodied response to what is being presented, especially giving more attention to that which triggers an aversive (or fearful, powerless, angry, frustrated) response in us. The feeling of being out of control, or the fear of control being taken from us can evoke intense feelings.

I found that the simple exercise we did changed the foundation of how I organize and orient towards challenging times. We are all in challenging times, and it is natural for us to want to know who is behind the curtain, what's helpful and what is potentially hurtful. While each of us might have a very different perspective on causes and cures, I wonder if our embodied responses are going to be very similar.

I found that after this simple exercise, my interest in knowing the facts was present, but without the same urgency.

I recall a former teacher, Linda Galloway, saying often, "Remember the 'and'. When we move beyond notions of right and wrong, when we explore what we've rejected, the elements in apparent opposition can open into something bright and new.

Perhaps paradoxically, seeing things in a different light involves really looking at the ways that we automatically and reflexively respond.

Seeing with new eyes involves embracing, not rejecting that which presents itself to us.

This principle is implicit to Kum Nye, Hakomi*, and Loving Presence and I find myself repeating it over and over in different ways. Our strong conditioning reinforces a divisive view of life. Hakomi, Kum Nye (and many more approaches) invite a remembrance of our wholeness.
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In this series of classes, we discuss and practice Kum Nye, a Tibetan practice introduced to the west by Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche. This series gives the beginner an opportunity to explore the skills of this 'mindfulness of body and feeling practice' which allows us to open up the space to feel nourished by our feelings. Kum Nye integrates mind and body, harmonizes our energy centers, and helps establish a profound relaxation. You will be guided from the outer experience to deeper levels that ultimately allow helps us make friends with all experience.

Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga balances movement and stillness, a profound practice which introduces mind to heart, and heart to mind through gesture, self massage sitting, chanting. While the outer form may be any of these, the inner form is with feeling; opening and softening our inner sensory world. Kum refers to Presence, Nye, to massage. The outer massage leads to the inner, more subtle movement and opening of our inner architecture. This practice will benefit anyone who would like to begin, or deepen their meditative experience.