Meditation in Action – The Way of Surrender
with Mike Jenkins of The Hamblin Vision
Saturday 1st June, 2024
1pm - 3:30pm
The Garden Room at The Spring Arts Centre
56 East Street, Havant, PO9 1BS
When we meditate and drench ourselves in pure being, we experience first-hand the healing power of meditation.
Entering the ever-present silence, stillness and space can untangle the knots that we get twisted up in, simply by being human. In meditation, we may notice that we begin to relax, to let go of physical tensions and to let life hold us for a while. Then we can become quiet enough to hear, sense and feel our way towards to a more wise and compassionate way of being.
But what about when the meditation session ends? When our quiet, peaceful time is over and we return to the noise and chaos of the world around us, are we still established in that unshakable ground of powerful presence?
We warmly invite you to spend an afternoon exploring what
Meditation in Action looks like in our ordinary, daily lives.
During the afternoon, we will explore: Encountering the Witness - Observing Egocentricity
What is here right now, that is aware of what is happening and yet radically free?
Practice 1
Simple Tranquillity Meditation leading to Awareness of Awareness Practice
Meditation in Action
Discussion
What is Meditation in Action?
How does Witness Consciousness operate in ordinary life, compared to Egocentric Consciousness?
What are the qualities of surrender/acceptance/allowing?
What does Witness Consciousness feel like in our daily lives?
How does Open-Hearted Consciousness operate, compared to Witness Consciousness?
Open-Hearted Awareness
Moving from the freedom and detachment of The Witness to the intimacy, compassion, kindness and unconditional love of your awakened heart.
Practice 2
Meeting your Awakened Heart
Coffee/Tea Break - an opportunity to take your practice outside of the workshop. The break time is a perfect opportunity to allow everyday life to become your teacher and practice, and to highlight what works for you and what doesn’t. Be aware of how subtle the return of Egocentric Consciousness can be.
The Way of Surrender - Meditation in Action
Discussion
What do we mean by ‘The Way of Surrender’?
What is surrendered listening?
Is surrender always passive?
What is Active Surrender? What happens when we let go of the belief that surrending means to be conquered, or we give up the self-image of “the one who gives in all the time”?
Practice 3 - Closing Meditation
Coming full circle to explore how our practice may continue in our lives: from awakening the witness, to embodiment, and allowing the awakened heart to transform and change our lives. Finally, taking that perspective out into the world through some form of service to others.
Q&A, and Closing Comments
There will be time at the end of the session for sharing, and Q&As.
Mike Jenkins
Mike is the Events and Social Media Manager for The Hamblin Vision. In 2010 he experienced a radical shift in his perception, following periods of intense suffering and trauma in his 20s and early 30s. A voracious spiritual search led him to study with many different teachers and to share his experiences and insights through his blog, poetry, and in guided meditations.