To support people in this pandemic, I decided to release the full workshop recording of 'Dimensions of the Heart - Exploring Meditation Practices Of Loving Kindness And Compassion'.

The video version includes important slides and visual aids, and can be viewed here: https://www.guruviking.com/dimensions-of-the-heart-meditation-practices-of-compassion-full-workshop/

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'Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.’ - Abraham Lincoln

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Everyone likes to feel good.

Much of the time how we feel is determined by our environment and circumstances.

This can leave our emotions at the mercy of external conditions beyond our control.

Many people don’t know that it is possible to deliberately choose to feel good, even in difficult circumstances.

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In this 3hr online workshop we explore meditation approaches that cultivate positive states such as compassion and loving kindness.

With practice, these natural states can be more readily felt and with greater richness, profundity, and consistency.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:08 - Lecture about Compassion Meditation practices

32:26 - 3D Loving Kindness - Guided Meditation

54:28 - Question: What if negative emotions arise during compassion practice?

56:19 - Question: Explaining the use of smiling in meditation

58:35 - Brahma Vihara Practice - Guided Meditation

1:49:35 - Steve summarises the techniques covered so far + tips for ongoing practice

1:54:00 - Question: What is the point of mindfulness meditation vs mantra meditation?

2:00:02 - Question: Steve demonstrates and explains the use of mudra in meditation (hand and body positions)

2:06:26 - Question: How to work with suffering when the conditions can’t be improved?

2:11:09 - Question: Tips for compassion practice with strangers

2:13:34 - Question: The ‘M. Night Shyamalan plot twist’ of the Brahma Viharas

2:16:31 - Question: Discussion about equanimity, helping the world, and the word ‘karma’

2:25:40 - Question: Is it okay to wish your enemies happy for your own benefit?

2:29:02 - Question: Process vs outcome in meditation practice

2:31:34 - Question: The pain of feeling compassion

2:37:09 - Question: An ‘aha’ about equanimity

2:40:44 - Question: Equanimity with others’ suffering and spiritual bypassing

2:49:48 - Question: Comments on equanimity as empowerment, and the humanising influence of the heart

2:55:02 - A story about relating to one’s enemies

3:02:59 - Congratulations and closing remarks

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The Guru Viking Meditation Club started as a free Zoom class to support people in the pandemic - each Wednesday we meet to explore meditation and practice together on Zoom.

Once a month we take a 3hr deep dive into themes like this one, chosen by members.

To join the club, visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-meditation-club/