The following talk was given at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California.

Please visit our website at adioderma.org.

So, welcome to our meditation.

And today, to support the teachings afterwards,

I would like to emphasize that to stay close to

something that's wholesome, something that feels healthy for you

in terms of how you're aware. So sometimes I talk about calm

awareness. Some people might talk about non-contentious awareness or an awareness which makes room for what's here, breathing room. An awareness that's very

simple. An awareness that's warm and kind. An awareness which is equanimous with whatever goes on.

An awareness that is not caught or entangle or reactive to what we're aware of. To find a way of being aware, being mindful, to recognize what's

happening, to know what's happening, to sense and feel what's

happening in a way that feels good, feels nice for you. And then stay close to that, maintain it, be in

touch with it. Use it as a guide.

Use it as the maybe the bow of the boat

that's moving through the water

in a nice, clean way.

Have it be the pedals of your

bike that you're always in touch

with, always moving.

Let it be the pitting of the cat, the hand going down,

gently, lovingly pitting the cat. We might feel depressed or angry, but it feels good to pet the cat.

So see, let's see if we can find a way to be aware that keeps us aware, keeps us connected.

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