This meditation was done by Meena Modi through Zoom on April 26, 2020 as a part of a series of Yoga Nidras in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The sky of awareness provides relief from the stress and anxiety, becoming a refuge of peace.
Over time, the awareness becomes deeper and more concentrated. It can then start observing the trigger of the sensation–it observes any mental and physical aversion or attraction and clinging (wanting the experience to not end). This is pleasant, this is unpleasant, this is neutral. It is a critically important step in knowing ourselves. What happens when there are these spontaneous reactions? Without engaging, continuing to clinically observe, what happens to the sensation or experience when we do nothing beyond observing it? There is no analysis, no judgment, no active thinking–just seeing, feeling, noting what is happening. Is the reaction, the aversion or attraction (the pulling in and the pushing away) to the sensation in the mind and body? Or is it to the object of trigger? Knowing in this way is transformative as it helps us see clearly and then we know what steps to take. All these are important points to deepen our understanding and perceptions in every practice. (Tip: The naming and the knowing happen simultaneously–with repeated practice, is that insight observation?)
Green Mountain by Li Po (translated by A.S. Kline)
You ask me why I dwell in the green mountain
I smile and make no reply for my heart is free of care
As the peach blossom flows downstream and is gone into the unknown
I have a world apart that is not among men
Photo credit: Nicholas Roerich, Himalayas – Everest (1938). Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York.
Mahasri Yoga 