There is no greater gift to ourselves than our willingness to be present to our own lives, and we do this most effectively through insight or Vipassana meditation. Meditation supports us in suffering less. Through meditation, we teach the mind to ride the energies of our intense emotions and become aware of what we deeply know and need to heal. When we meditate, we are learning how to stay present, and growing in our awareness that the present moment is worth coming back to and living fully. Meditation is not a quick fix, nor is it about denying what we feel by replacing our experiences with positive thoughts. More it is about embracing the truth of the moment and discovering the liberating power of pure awareness. Meditation invites us to slow down so that we can experience ourselves lovingly.
There are many benefits derived from a consistent meditation practice. For example, meditation opens us to levels of consciousness that lie deeper than our intellect. Our disguises fade and our aggression diminishes. Our mind becomes tranquil and more manageable, and we act more wisely towards others and ourselves. Not only does meditation decrease fear and worry, it also reduces our heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen consumption, perspiration, and muscle tension, and improves our immune system and neurotransmitter function. Through meditation, we cultivate inner peace. Meditation may seem counterintuitive to problem solving or crisis situations, but it is indeed an act of tremendous self-compassion, respect, and creativity. All this, and the practice itself is free!
While many traditional religions and spiritual paths offer some form of contemplation such as prayer, chants, or song, maintaining a consistent Vipassana or Insight meditation practice is a wholesome and practical way to heal.
Ruth King has been practicing meditation since 1992 and is a long-term student of Jack Kornfield. Ruth has studied Theravada and Mahayana teachings and received Dzogchen transmission in 2006 from Karma Kagyu/Nyingma lineage holder Cecile Mchardy, fondly known as The Friendly Dragon (Cambridge, MA). Ruth’s practice has been strongly influenced by the wisdom and grace of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and more recently Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Ruth is an annual teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Community-DC, New York Insight, and East Bay Meditation Center.
Order Ruth King’s audio CD: Soothing The Inner Flames of Rage–Meditations that Educate the Heart & Transform the Mind
If you are interested in attending a meditation retreat with Ruth King, contact us and we will keep you posted of our upcoming events.
“For the last three years, Ruth King has graced the Insight Meditation Community of Washington with workshops on transforming rage, which has drawn the most diverse audiences we have ever seen. In her presence, people from all walks of life can feel the depth of her own personal journey and spiritual practice. It’s through this profound transmission of wisdom that opens hearts and minds to forgiveness, compassion, and kindness. We had sell-out events each year and we’re committed to bringing Ruth back annually. Everyone who has attended Ruth’s events have come away feeling inspired, empowered, and whole.” — La Sarmiento, IMCW Events Manage