Teachings of liberation can seem to point to a kind of superhuman perfection, one reinforced by classical images and stories of Buddha and other semi-mythical historical saints. This can make our own freedom of being seem unattainable or at least far distant, yet Dharma teachings and practices emphasize immediate experience as the ground of liberation. This day/weekend will look at our human freedom as very near to hand, and will explore how to contemplate and integrate the liberating possibilities of our practice in the midst of our everyday lives.

Teachings of liberation can seem to point to a kind of superhuman perfection, one reinforced by classical images and stories of Buddha and other semi-mythical historical saints. This can make our own freedom of being seem unattainable or at least far distant, yet Dharma teachings and practices emphasize immediate experience as the ground of liberation. This day/weekend will look at our human freedom as very near to hand, and will explore how to contemplate and integrate the liberating possibilities of our practice in the midst of our everyday lives.

Teachings of liberation can seem to point to a kind of superhuman perfection, one reinforced by classical images and stories of Buddha and other semi-mythical historical saints. This can make our own freedom of being seem unattainable or at least far distant, yet Dharma teachings and practices emphasize immediate experience as the ground of liberation. This day/weekend will look at our human freedom as very near to hand, and will explore how to contemplate and integrate the liberating possibilities of our practice in the midst of our everyday lives.

Meditation practice is a way of directly and intimately exploring life in the laboratory of our own hearts and minds. In cultivating and deepening our practice, we learn about our inner compulsions and contractions, learning to soften and release them. Simultaneously though, meditation also reveals to us the nature of reality, the way life is, how experience forms and impacts on consciousness. This evening and day with Martin Aylward will focus on some of the more difficult aspects of Buddhist teaching, offering ways to make these profound subjects accessible and even obvious. Martin will lead us experientially into teachings on ‘emptiness’, ’suchness’ and the fluid, ephemeral nature of experience, pointing us towards an immediate and intimate understanding of these deep and important themes. We will learn together how to approach the deep nature of experience, and how the contemplation of these themes transforms us, bringing together the personal and impersonal aspects of Buddhist practice.

Meditation practice is a way of directly and intimately exploring life in the laboratory of our own hearts and minds. In cultivating and deepening our practice, we learn about our inner compulsions and contractions, learning to soften and release them. Simultaneously though, meditation also reveals to us the nature of reality, the way life is, how experience forms and impacts on consciousness. This evening and day with Martin Aylward will focus on some of the more difficult aspects of Buddhist teaching, offering ways to make these profound subjects accessible and even obvious. Martin will lead us experientially into teachings on ‘emptiness’, ’suchness’ and the fluid, ephemeral nature of experience, pointing us towards an immediate and intimate understanding of these deep and important themes. We will learn together how to approach the deep nature of experience, and how the contemplation of these themes transforms us, bringing together the personal and impersonal aspects of Buddhist practice.

Meditation practice is a way of directly and intimately exploring life in the laboratory of our own hearts and minds. In cultivating and deepening our practice, we learn about our inner compulsions and contractions, learning to soften and release them. Simultaneously though, meditation also reveals to us the nature of reality, the way life is, how experience forms and impacts on consciousness. This evening and day with Martin Aylward will focus on some of the more difficult aspects of Buddhist teaching, offering ways to make these profound subjects accessible and even obvious. Martin will lead us experientially into teachings on ‘emptiness’, ’suchness’ and the fluid, ephemeral nature of experience, pointing us towards an immediate and intimate understanding of these deep and important themes. We will learn together how to approach the deep nature of experience, and how the contemplation of these themes transforms us, bringing together the personal and impersonal aspects of Buddhist practice.

Dharma practice points us towards liberation; boundless freedom of being, great depths of love and joy, and a graceful participation in life’s unfolding. What is liberation? What seems to be in the way, right now, of living freely? What is your deepest knowing, and how can it liberate you, here and now? The day will be led by Martin Aylward, and is open to both committed dharma students, and those who may be totally new to practice, but feel themselves drawn to freedom of being. There will include silent and guided meditation practice, teachings and discussion, and some dialog exercises. The day will emphasize a direct exploration of freeing up our life, right in the midst of living it.