True meditation is awareness being aware of Itself.

Can it be that simple?

YES!

Mindfulness and meditation allows for inner inquiry into the functioning and nature of mind and body, thoughts and emotions, life force and breath. Awareness is the key to unlock the restrictions, limitations, pain and suffering caused by the thinking mind and emotional reactivity. Conceptual distortion and emotional reactivity obscures the peace and freedom that we all possess, our innate true nature that is infused with awareness. It’s like the clouds (thoughts) obscuring the sun (peace and freedom). The sky is awareness.

Awareness has qualities of peace and freedom, it is timeless and infinite and is always present. Awareness is not an object, phenomena or thought, so is empty in essence but cognisant by nature. All objects, phenomena and thought arise and set in awareness, so there is never any thing independent of awareness, ever. Awareness is the essential you and is primordial, unchanging and unceasing.

True Nature:

The realisation of our true nature is hidden by our tendencies to identify with the movements of the mind. Our lack of acceptance of “what is” causes mental reactions creating stress and inner turmoil. We can feel hurt, guilty and ashamed of what has happened in the past and have anxiety and worry about the future. Our minds are continually pulled between the past and future, creating further stressful reactions of fear, hurt and anger. Instead of perceiving reality purely “as it is” with moment to moment awareness, we create an apparent reality that is filtered through our conditioned mind that is based on the past. This apparent reality originates from our sense of separation from our true nature and the fear this separation creates. Apparent reality is essentially a mind-created illusion.

The past is forever gone and the future is a mental concept, essentially nonexistent. Awareness is constantly present. All phenomena – including thoughts, bodily sensations, feelings and sense perceptions- are transient, always in a continual state of change. All phenomena rise and set in awareness, the here and now. Awareness isn’t an object or a state, so is empty in essence but cognisant by nature, with qualities of calmness and clarity and is inseparable from who we essentially are.

Meditation, Mindfulness and Self Inquiry directs one’s awareness to consciously be present of the here and now. When we consciously embrace the moment, that is simply have direct awareness, the accumulation of past pain, fear and anger can be illuminated and then released, creating more clarity, peace and harmony. Our radiant true nature can only ever be realised in the moment, here and now. Peace and freedom is not “something” to be gained but is revealed in awareness, through openness and surrender, as who we truly and fundamentally are.

Group sessions, workshops, half-day and longer retreats are held regularly in Melbourne and Healesville. Sessions involve silent sitting, meditation and Self inquiry instruction, and discussing questions that may arise for participants. The sessions are suitable for all levels of experience: from absolute beginners to the most experienced. All Welcome.

For details of workshops and retreats see Retreats and Weekly Sessions

To read more about Aruna's approach to Meditation and Self Inquiry visit Aruna's Blog