A meditation on non-striving.
Non-striving is an attitude of being rather than doing.
One that embodies an openness to the present moment just as it is.
Without seeking for things to be different or desiring to be elsewhere,
Non-striving in mindfulness is about being here and now without anticipation of any future outcomes.
We can practice this in meditation,
Which is ultimately a non-doing.
There is no goal but to be who you are right now in the moment of your meditation.
We will use the imagery of a lake in this meditation.
Because a lake is an expanse of water,
The image lends itself to lying down,
Although it can be practiced sitting up as well.
So choosing the posture that best serves you at this time.
Ensure you feel well supported and comfortable.
Let's encourage a sense of ease.
And bringing yourself to a place of stillness.
Using the breath or another anchor point to help you settle.
To begin to let go of the day thus far and bring yourself to this moment.
Allowing the breath to be just as it is.
Allowing the body to breathe itself.
Letting go of any expectations,
Any demands.
Allowing things to be just as they are.
To practice using the lake image in your meditation,
Picture in your mind's eye a lake,
A body of water held in a receptive basin by the earth itself.
Note in the mind's eye and in your own heart that water likes to pool in low places.
It seeks its own level.
Asks to be contained.
The lake you invoke may be deep or shallow.
Blue or green.
Muddy or clear.
With no wind,
The surface of the lake is flat.
Mirror-like.
It reflects trees and rocks.
Sky and clouds.
Holds everything in itself momentarily.
Wind stirs up disturbance on the lake.
From gentle ripples to choppy waves.
So clear reflections disappear.
But sunlight may still sparkle in the ripples.
And dance on the waves in a play of shimmering diamonds.
And when night comes,
It's the moon's turn to dance on the lake.
Or if the surface is still,
To be reflected in it.
Along with the outline of trees and shadows.
In wintertime,
The lake may freeze over.
And yet team with movement and life below.
When you've established a picture of the lake in your mind's eye.
Allow yourself to become one with the lake.
As you lie down on your back or sit in meditation.
Completely supported and held.
Allow your energies to be held by your own awareness.
And by your openness and compassion for yourself.
In much the same way as the lake's waters are held by the receptive and accepting basin of the earth herself.
Breathing with the lake,
Moment by moment.
Feeling its body as your body.
Allowing your mind and your heart to be open and receptive.
To reflect whatever comes near.
Experience the moments of complete stillness.
When both reflection and water are completely clear.
And other moments when the surface is choppy and stirred up.
Reflections and depth lost for a time.
Through it all,
As you dwell in meditation.
Simply noting the play of the various energies of your own mind and heart.
The fleeting thoughts and feelings.
Impulses and reactions.
Which come and go as ripples and waves.
Noting their effects.
Just as you observe the various changing energies at play on the lake.
The wind.
The waves.
The light and shadow and reflections.
The colours.
The sounds.
The aromas.
Do your thoughts and feelings disturb the surface?
Can you allow that to be?
Can you see a rippled or wavy surface?
As an intimate,
Essential aspect of being a lake.
Of having a surface.
Can you identify not only with the surface.
But with the entire body of the water.
So that you become the stillness below the surface as well.
This which at most experiences only gentle undulations.
Even when the surface is whipped to a frenzy.
In the same way in your meditation practice and in your daily life.
Can you identify not only with the content of your thoughts and feelings.
But also with the vast unwavering reservoir of awareness.
Residing below the surface of the mind.
With the lake meditation.
We sit with the intention to hold in awareness and acceptance.
All the qualities of mind and body.
Just as the lake sits held.
Cradled and contained by the earth.
Reflecting sun,
Moon,
Stars.
Trees,
Rocks.
Birds and light.
Caressed by the air and wind.
Which bring out and highlight its sparkle.
Its vitality.
Its essence.
