Change yourself, change the world.
It has become clear to me that the vast majority of 'meditative' practices of the last
several thousand years (going back to Patanjali) taught the practitioner concentration
and then took concentration to various lengths. Deity yoga, guru yoga, mantrayana,
sutrayana, chakrayana, mandala contemplation, chod, esoteric healing practices,
distant viewing, and more are all uses of the skill and achievement of concentration
(dharana) to one extent or another. Concentration is the creation of an aggregate—we
gather (pratyahara) everything to center, squeeze it/concentrate it, then will ourselves to
hold this compacted point. Since this is a form of union (an aggregate is a union) then it
is understandable how people, myself included, have experienced a wide variety of
union states. Yet this, in many respects, is only the beginning. Meditation, yogically
understood, is born from the luminescence of concentration. Compassion pours forth
from the stability of peaceful abiding within concentration. This means that dharana
(concentration) when actually achieved is a very refined and heightened state of
realization. To seek it and practice it is the way of the wise, not only because of its
tremendous benefits to self and others, but because only from dharana (concentration)
is dhyana (true meditation) and enlightenment possible.” Donna Mitchell-Moniak
Awareness Meditation
Awareness Meditation is a new, practical, effective, and immediately accessible form of meditation.
Almost all meditation techniques taught today were born hundreds or thousands of years ago. Over the centuries, these excellent practices have brought many people profound gifts and results. However, humanity is needing and ready for a new form of meditation--one that springs like fruit from the parent vine. Awareness Meditation is that.
“Overall, consciousness and the personal subtle systems of human beings have
evolved. I believe this difference must be acknowledged in meditative practices as well
as in all areas of health and well-being including “Western medicine” and the holistic
sciences such as acupuncture, ayurvedic healing practices, and body yogas. ”
Donna Mitchell-Moniak
Awareness meditation is a practice that leads one effectively through the stages of
breath, alignment, and withdrawing to the center of oneʼs being. From there, and only
from there, is true yogic concentration possible. This is more than focus or meditative
stability. It is the doorway into luminescence, tranquility, the sublimation of the outer
senses, and the development of illumined awareness. True meditation and all higher
meditative states are then possible, but not before this level of concentration.
Awareness Meditation techniques assist one in establishing the essential foundations of breath, alignment and centering so that a new level of lighted-mind can be lived in
meditation and in life.
“I attended the Awareness Meditation Retreat outside of Boulder, CO in May 2007 with
Donna Mitchell-Moniak teaching, sharing and compassionately guiding our diverse
group of conscious seekers. Very subtly, as if with tiny steps, I awakened with a new
and limitlessness sense of Heart, finding a loving flow of life within that's always present
beyond our artificial sense of self and ego. This was the beginning of a new and exciting
journey that is still unfolding and revealing itself with blessings.”
David Fitch, merchandise consultant
Three Levels
Awareness Meditation, like its parental roots, has three levels: Enter Awareness,
Awareness Deepens, and Awareness Now! We suggest that even practiced meditators
begin at the beginning of this meditative training. Those who have done so report
significant benefits. Beginners to meditation will find a gentle, effective meditative
method that can be taken into everyday life and circumstances, as well as one's sitting
practice. Increased awareness is the result of this training; it is then able to be lived and
used fully.
Benefits from Meditation
Benefits from meditation are well documented and include:
* Creativity
* Authenticity
* Mental clarity and focus
* Perspective
* Peace of mind
* Increased patience
* Mindfulness
* Intuition
* Greater awareness in the life
Health Benefits Can Include:
* Reduced Heart rate
* Reduced Blood Pressure
* Increased Energy
* More restful sleep
* General sense of well being
Additional Benefits of Awareness Meditation
Awareness Meditation offers expanded realizations of the macro- and microcosm through techniques that extend and refine the senses, develop centralization, and bring alignment and focus in the life. These offer the possibility to change rapidly through depersonalization and an elevation
of the personal view.
With Awareness Meditation training, a true experience of Oneness becomes
reachable.
What Makes This Practice Unique?
The uniqueness is in the instruction and guidance. Instruction in meditative training is
imperative if the person is to learn a technique and achieve its results. Practitioners are
led to and through a comprehensive understanding of themselves as human beings.
Every part: body, breath, chakras, senses, mind, emotions, reality, and illusion, are used
as points of entry and revelation. Just as in training for a sport or learning to cook, there
are particulars that, if known and understood from the beginning, will bring success;
likewise in meditation.
Those who have achieved stabilized, profound, and repeated states of meditation had
very clear, detailed instruction. We cannot just sit and expect our mind to stop churning;
or merely count breaths and expect rhythm to permeate our life. Instead, we can find
and then rely on a method that makes sense to our mind, uses our sensibilities, and
brings order to our subtle fields. This creates the ground-of-being for our meditative
practice.
Awareness Meditation is such a method.
Awareness Meditation practice is a rich blend of:
the use of the subtle
the use of the obvious
the inherent magnetic and luminous nature of Consciousness,
and one's inherent desire for betterment whether in the form of tranquility, creativity, self-empowerment, spiritual development, or directedness.
Retreats and Meditation Training
All meditative practices and training, whether Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sufi, or Shamanic, have three primary levels. Some names used for these levels are:
beginner or enterer, intermediate, advanced
outer, inner, and secret
form, comprehension, realization.
Preparing the vessel of our body,
mind, and consciousness for higher
realized states and their dynamic
energy effects upon our bodies requires
understanding gained from the outer
and inner practices. Historically,
the secret or advanced practices that
lead to realization have been given
by transmission and orally by one
who has been liberated into and sustained
those states. And although texts exist
that explain some of the secret teachings,
the secrets are not given, thus the
text remains veiled and poetic. Awareness
Meditation is seeded with all
three levels which germinate as the
meditator is ready for the next level
of unfoldment.
The three levels of Awareness Meditation are:
Level I: Awareness Awakens
Level 2: Awareness Deepens
Level 3: Awareness Now!
Awareness Awakens is true to its name. There is much that we do not recognize that is
beckoning us to greater awareness. This level of practice is immediately applicable
throughout the day, not just during oneʼs sitting or walking practice. We awaken, and no
matter how aware or awake we think we are, we awaken to more.
Awareness Deepens broadens the efficacy of one's practice. With this level, one's mind begins to experience very real changes. Dharana sets in with all its possible glorious, refined, and conscious results.
Awareness Now! speaks of a level of beingness, not just meditation. Yet it is also that —true meditation. True meditation is when consciousness itself is the meditator, not the mind or the personal contemplative process.
Four-day, seven-day, and eventually thirty-day retreats provide instruction, group
meditation, meals, lodging, and energetic support for you to become Aware, Awake, and
Realized. Thus does every awakened person become part of the change and growth of
consciousness of the world.
“I, a yogi, did this myself; you, o'liberation seeker, should do it too.”
Tsong Kapa
As Awareness Meditation practice is established, the deeper aspects and gifts of
expanded consciousness become available to us. Experiencing at least one Level 1
retreat is recommended before attending Level 2. Level 2 must be experienced before
Level 3.
Awareness Meditation retreats are taught by Donna Mitchell-Moniak, creator of the
practice, founder and spiritual director of Spirit Fire.
* Quietude. The outer world as well as our emotional and mental worlds are usually quite loud. Thus we will be attentive to creating a quiet supportive environment for the duration of the retreat.
* Excellent food. Meals of mostly-organic food are freshly prepared and beautifully served.
* Comfortable Lodgings. Rooms are double or triple occupancy. Occasionally, single accommodations are available--please inquire.
* Indoor and outdoor meditations. Bring comfortable clothing and layers depending on the weather for outdoor meditation and walks.
Tuition and Lodgings at Spirit Fire Meditative Retreat Center
Food and lodgings are $75 plus tax per day. Tuition for meditation training is by
donation. $50 per day to the teacher is suggested.
Costs differ in other locations due to rental of space.
Often the multi-day retreats take
place in Jamestown in an off-grid
environment. Day-programs are usually
in Boulder. Contact Joy for details
on all Awareness Meditation events
in Colorado. joyom@indra.com
Enter the New Year: Jan 2-4
Awareness Awakens: Feb 12-15
Awareness Awakens: Mar 12-15
Awareness Deepens: Apr 15-19
Awareness Deepens: Jul 2-9
Awareness Awakens: Sept 17-20
Awareness Deepens: Nov 18-22
Enter the New Year Meditatively: Jan 1-3, 2010
A Taste of Awareness Meditation: Jan 17
Awareness Awakens: May 6-10
Special Public Taurus Full Moon Meditation: Friday, May 8
Awareness Deepens: Nov 4-8
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