Meditations of Love and Wisdom

As we go through these meditations, we will be emphasizing our experience of the Field of Care, enabled by our recollection of Benefactors or Caring Moments. It has been suggested that, in some traditions, this was a more “advanced” practice.

Other traditions would say that there are many ways to access our essential nature that are available and easy to access. The popular saying is that, “All roads lead to Rome,” and that may apply here. And some traditions would say that there are no “advanced” practices. There is only practicing or not practicing.

I would agree that all spiritual paths can lead us to the revelation of our true nature; natural openness, awareness, and compassion. However, another common saying in the meditation community is that, “The only bad meditation is the one you don’t do.” So, that leads us to the understanding and realization that we need to feel a connection with a particular practice, be drawn to it in some way, in order for us to maintain the dedication of regular practice.

The practices of Innate Love and Wisdom, presented by Lama John Makransky, provide a unique and relatable entry into spiritual practice. The meditations use the universal experience we have of connecting with another being in a deeply caring, loving, and healing way. Our memory of the felt sense of that experience can help the mind relax into its most natural state of simple open awareness; experienced as peace and equanimity.

This unfolding wisdom of openness allows us to become more fully present to others in their fuller humanity, rather than reacting from our habitual patterns. This all occurs within a practice that is loving, supportive, and accepting and that can be practiced “on the cushion” or taken “off the cushion” into our daily lives.