A Welcoming for Meditators

A Welcoming for Meditators

May all beings everywhere experience strength in body, wisdom in mind and compassion in community…

Today, we gather not merely to sit in silence but to connect deeply with our shared purpose, our collective strength, and our enduring spirit. In a world fraught with racism, political and social unrest, and the resurgence of materialism, our meditation practice is not just a refuge but a rallying call. We meet here because we understand that to survive and thrive, we must harness the best within us and among us.

Our journey inward is a journey to cultivate unshakeable confidence. Meditation empowers us to meet life’s challenges with clarity and resilience. By grounding ourselves in the present moment, we awaken the innate wisdom and compassion that reside within. This practice is not just for personal peace but for the collective strength of our community.

Consider the three lords of materialism—form, feeling, and mind—forces that tempt us to seek fulfillment outside of ourselves. The first lord, form, drives us to accumulate material possessions, believing they will bring us happiness. The second lord, feeling, seduces us into chasing pleasurable experiences, distracting us from our true selves. The third lord, mind, traps us in rigid beliefs and ideologies, blinding us to the broader truths of our existence. These forces promise happiness but only deepen our suffering and confusion. Meditation cuts through these illusions, revealing that true contentment arises from within, from a heart and mind in harmony with reality.

In these times of heightened racism and social strife, our meditation practice becomes an act of defiance and courage. The rise in political and social unrest demands that we respond with clarity and compassion, not with the aggression and fear that perpetuate division. Through meditation, we cultivate the warrior’s heart—courageous, compassionate, and unwavering in the face of adversity. This is the path of warriorship: to face the world’s challenges with the strength of our inner calm and the clarity of our vision.

We gather to remind ourselves and each other of our shared humanity. In meditation, we see beyond the superficial differences of race, class, and ideology. We recognize the fundamental goodness in ourselves and others. This recognition is powerful; it transforms how we interact with the world, fostering communities built on mutual respect and understanding.

Through meditation we also connect with the courageous mind of our ancestors, from the ancient civilizations of Africa to the civil rights and Black Power leaders of recent history, who have shown us the way. They have demonstrated that real power lies in the strength of character, the clarity of purpose, and the courage to act with integrity. They endured immense hardship, yet they did not waver in their pursuit of justice and equality. We honor their legacy through our practice, continuing their fight for a world where all can live with dignity and peace.

As we sit in meditation, let us invoke the spirit of our ancestors, the great warriors who came before us. Let us pour libations in their honor, acknowledging their struggles and triumphs. Let their strength be our strength, their wisdom our guide. In doing so, we not only honor their memory but draw from their courage to face our own challenges.

Meditation is a powerful tool for transformation. It equips us to face racism, social unrest, and personal hardships with a resilient heart. It helps us to see through the distractions and false promises of materialism, guiding us back to our true nature. It cultivates within us the confidence needed to stand firm in our convictions, to act with compassion, and to inspire others to do the same.

At the core of our being lies a primordial purity, an untainted essence that is the foundation of our true nature. This purity is not something we acquire but something we uncover through our practice. When we experience this essence, we are liberated from the delusions that bind us. We see ourselves and the world with a clear, unobstructed vision, recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. This realization is a profound form of liberation, freeing us from the cycles of suffering perpetuated by ignorance and attachment.

Together, we can create a community of awakened beings, each contributing to a world where justice, peace, and humanity prevail. This is why we gather, study, and practice meditation: to awaken the best within us and to stand as beacons of hope and resilience in a world that desperately needs it.

May our practice today and every day bring us closer to this vision. May we cultivate the inner strength to meet every challenge with grace, the clarity to see through illusions, and the compassion to connect deeply with all beings. In this way, we honor our ancestors, our community, and our own highest potential.

Welcome

Justin F. Miles

~ Freedom is a long walk and liberation is everpresent