Move yourself to freedom

Thank you , James. This class coincides with just where I am in my mediation journey. Sorry I missed the Kosha series, but perhaps now is just the right time to check it out. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. Much appreciated!

Hi, James I often convince myself that I have achieved (or am close to achieving) a goal-less way of being. That said, I know also that achievement in itself is a goal, so even the desire to be free of performance is a goal.. Recently (perhaps in the last 24 hours) I have finally understood that I am far from being free of the desire to perform, and to perform well. I used to be an international class runner... (As an example)... Which was more by mental (family) conditioning, as well as physical conditioning, than any innate desire to be an elite performer. My father is passionate about running, and we were raised to be intensely competitive. I gave up competitive running about 25 years ago, and started yoga at the age of 43. After nearly nine years of yoga, I thought I was free of that desire to compete and compare. But a couple of years ago I at last started singing, and playing piano, which wa a sort of hidden (from myself) dream... Lo and behold, people's opinion of my performance takes a strong stance in my mind, and among the positive comments, I hear I need to relax and just enjoy myself. I am enjoying myself... But within the framework of that old mentality of performance. It's not just the desire to do well... It's to be the best. And the part that makes me really uncomfortable is the reflex to compare myself with and criticize other singers, silently judging their performance. I recognize this mental hogwash as conditioning, and I try to observe it, and welcome it, as you say, since we cannot get rid of things we don't like about ourselves. I'm not sure what kind of response I expect from you... I just wanted to express a certain frustration... This path of spirituality and total freedom is indeed obscur and tricky. Best wishes! Nicola

Hi, James Thanks for this series on the koshas. As always, your concern with shedding light or understanding on the foundation of the meditative experience is much appreciated.

Hello James Right after this session I feel stillness and depth and openness. Even the I/me is relieved to loose weight :-) . I appreciate your lessions very much, inquiry and meditation in stillness as well as in motion. I try to fall back into open space during daily life, which is not easy, because the I/me is used to then keeping the lead the whole time long. I'll be back soon, I hope you too.Thank you a lot James, enjoy your holidays!

Hi James, this was a terrific class. I really enjoyed the meditation and your explanation of witnessing/being/awareness. I am currently undertaking Richard's 'when self falls away' course and this class supported that perfectly. I have enjoyed the whole kosha series, and found it has been a valuable support to my understanding and continual exploration of the iRest protocol and path of meditation, and particularly how it can be integrated into a physical practice. Thanks James, with love.

Ahhhh......feeling feeling feeling.............namaste, thankyou.

Thank you! I feel like there's a lot of space around me. Feel it's ok to sit still and be quiet. Don't have to do and think for a while :)

just beautiful <3

that was fantastic, thank you James for sharing!

wonderful thankyou, I have been recently asking myself the question, why does awareness still feel so personal, this practice helped to expand my experience and understanding. Very grateful, have a lovely day x