CHELTENHAM ZEN
  • Home
  • Approaches to meditation
    • Beginners
    • Mindfulness >
      • Introduction
      • Video course
      • Practising mindfulness
    • Early Buddhism >
      • Introduction
      • Jhana
      • Insight practice
      • Brahmaviharas
      • In Buddha's Wake
    • Zen >
      • Introduction
      • Koans
      • Silent Illumination
      • Energy practices
      • Resting in the Unborn
  • Teaching
  • Resources
    • Articles >
      • Index of articles
      • Writings
    • Books >
      • Beginners: Pathways of Meditation
      • Zen: Resting in the Unborn
      • Early Buddhism: In Buddha's Wake
    • Audio
    • Mailing list

The Essence of Meditation

This above all else: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
​Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3
What is the 'essence of meditation'?

In this section of the website, I offer my personal interpretation of the core of the meditative systems that I've studied throughout my life. My intention is to share a simple, practical framework, grounded in modern science and setting aside the ancient languages and pre-modern world views of traditional systems of spirituality which can sometimes represent a barrier to entry for modern people interested in meditation.

The essence of meditation, as I see it, consists of three key qualities:
  • Stillness: Training the mind to focus, softening and opening the heart, and cultivating deep states of meditative absorption.
  • Clarity: Exploring our subjective experience to see who and what we are with ever-greater acuity through inquiry, investigation and awareness.
  • Presence: Bringing our meditative skills off the cushion and into everyday life through embodiment, flow and intuition.

Simple, time-tested meditation techniques can help us to develop each of these qualities. You'll find more about each of them on the corresponding pages.

And when you're ready for more, take a look at my free book Going with the Flow, where you'll find a complete description of this approach to practice.

I hope that this material benefits you at least as much as it's helped me.
  • Home
  • Approaches to meditation
    • Beginners
    • Mindfulness >
      • Introduction
      • Video course
      • Practising mindfulness
    • Early Buddhism >
      • Introduction
      • Jhana
      • Insight practice
      • Brahmaviharas
      • In Buddha's Wake
    • Zen >
      • Introduction
      • Koans
      • Silent Illumination
      • Energy practices
      • Resting in the Unborn
  • Teaching
  • Resources
    • Articles >
      • Index of articles
      • Writings
    • Books >
      • Beginners: Pathways of Meditation
      • Zen: Resting in the Unborn
      • Early Buddhism: In Buddha's Wake
    • Audio
    • Mailing list