Meditation

		Meditation is a land stewardship practice
				The practice of stillness awakens the inherent human qualities of gentleness, fearlessness and intelligence. Genuine humanness, being who we naturally are, manifests in society as beneficial activity such as generosity. As has been said, “Generosity is the virtue that produces peace.”

Meditation uncovers the space of stillness which is the context for all our activities at Windhorse Farm. Stillness is the sense of being open to our experience; listening moment by moment to what the world presents. Meditation is an ancient but simple method of working with our minds and learning to rest in the present moment. By settling in the present moment our minds can be natural, clear and awake to engage with the elemental and lively realities of the natural and cultivated landscapes of Windhorse.

Meditation usually involves taking a seated posture on a cushion or chair (standing and walking postures also are good), or on a comfortable spot in the forest, with legs loosely crossed. The practice often begins with placing one’s attention on the breath. As thoughts, feelings, and distractions arise, they are simply recognized, and attention is returned to the breath. By recognizing our thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way, we develop equanimity, and a sense of relaxation with ourselves. By coming back again and again to the breath, we cultivate mindfulness of the present moment. Gradually our awareness expands further and further out into the surrounding landscape.

Mindfulness is the basic core of meditation practice. It is the mind’s ability to be clear and present with whatever is happening. Usually, our minds are distracted by thoughts, memories, and fantasies. Unable to simply be with ourselves, we perpetuate a sense of anxiety—which manifests as mental discursiveness, self absorption, and arrogance. Developing mindfulness is learning to relax with ourselves. As we notice the movements of our mind, we see that our thoughts are not solid. Through this simple insight, we can begin to recognize the constantly changing play of our emotions and the world around us. Direct understanding of ourselves and our world is cultivated. We begin to realize that we are fundamentally good, and we discover the experience of “nothing missing.”

Mindfulness also provides the bridge for bringing meditation into our everyday activities. Anything we wish to do, from pruning trees to picking raspberries, is more thoroughly and delightfully accomplished with our full attention. Thus meditation strengthens the presence of mind we need to accomplish tasks with precision; it opens us to fully appreciate the colors of the flowers, the taste of fresh vegetables, and the abundance of life around us; and it kindles the genuine kindness which binds the community.

Meditation instruction is offered for everyone who comes to Windhorse Farm. There are times for individual practice as well as group meditation sessions. Sometimes there are opportunities for more extensive and intensive periods of forest meditation. Meditation is also a core practice of enrichment forestry, which is being developed at Windhorse Farm (click to read an essay on this topic).

The contemplative practices at Windhorse, including formal meditation practice, are drawn from the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Forest meditation dates back to the time of the Buddha in India, more than 2500 years ago. Find more information on the practice and tradition of meditation.