Our Philosophy

The “Ease of Being” – the philosophy behind our meditations –

Whether it is stated or not, all meditation practices are based on a philosophy — some underlying understanding of the purpose of meditation, the nature of the mind and body, and the nature of life itself. Your experience in meditation will be influenced by your understanding of what meditation is about and the reason you are meditating.

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Our meditation style is based on trust in life and trust in ourselves. Increase in trust brings deep relaxation and peace. The benefits people feel from these meditations is a reflection of the increased ability to relax into life. This has a positive effect on physical well-being, emotional ease, mental clarity, relationships, and overall fulfillment in life.

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Life is a dynamic and ever-changing flow of energy. Everything, from the movement of the planets to the blood circulating in our veins, is an expression of the intelligent energy of life. Everything we experience, from what we see and hear to the thoughts and feelings which arise within us, is an expression of that flow. When we are able to be in the flow of life without resistance, the experience is one of ease and peace. When we fight the flow, resisting what life brings, it creates stress and suffering.

Our meditations are meant to help you flow more easily with life. They encourage trust in the way things are naturally unfolding in life. They can help you to become aware of how you are resisting life, or trying to control it, and let that go.

The “ease of being” is not about life being easy — there will always be challenges in life. Life will always have its pairs of opposites — pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow — but it is possible to become more at peace. We can learn to let go and drop the resistance to the natural flow of life and living. This letting go results in a profound state of relaxation. Rather than our energy being used for resistance to life, it can be used by the natural intelligence of life to support our physical, mental and emotional well-being.

When life energy is able to flow without resistance, we feel more fully alive. Most of us have a habit of resisting certain emotions and pain. When we are able to relax into them, there can be a sense of relief and satisfaction simply from the experience of being alive. To learn to embrace whatever comes in life is an act of love.

Comments

8 Responses to “Our Philosophy”

  1. Tama on September 3rd, 2008 1:45 pm

    First I wanted to say that the downloadable podcast versions of the meditations (found on iTunes) has been the perfect thing - portable, discrete, purposeful. Thank you.

    I have known I wanted to start a meditation practice, but need guided meditation, not something easy to find on a daily basis. When I found the podcasts, I downloaded them onto my device. I listened to a few of them. But just recently, Friday, I found out the man I love (10 yrs) is starting a new relationship. This was as I set out for a 16 hour car trip with my 4 year old. My pain was so intense, I didn’t think I could function, especially as a compassionate parent. I found myself in Cinicinnati rush hour traffic. And, keeping my eyes open and myself alert, I listened to the meditation flowing with change and then allowed myself to feel what I was feeling. And it was “better” (not good, but..)
    Once I was checked into the hotel for the night, I listened to the podcasts of change and gratitude several more times. Throughout the rest of the 3 day trip, I would listen to the podcasts. I was able to feel this great energy around my heart center - and it was neither good nor bad. (just big) It was like sticking your hand in icewater or a hot bath - with movement it would ‘hurt’, but in stillness it just ‘was.’ Over the last 3 days here at the beach I have listened to many more, walking meditation while on the beach, etc. Today my daughter and I shared earbuds and took a nap listening to chakra meditations. It calmed her down. It calmed me down. And after several intense days I understand the benefits of daily meditation. I also have gone from having a deep hurt, to having energy of change.

    If possible, put more downloadable meditations on iTunes or your website.

    Thank you so much for your work.

  2. Mary on September 4th, 2008 9:20 am

    You are very welcome, Tama. Thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes it takes something extremely difficult to get us started with meditation, but it’s value is certainly clear at that time! We’re so glad that the meditations are helping.

    We plan to continue adding podcast episodes, so there are more to come. All of our CDs are also downloadable and available for purchase on the website.

  3. Joe on September 12th, 2009 8:54 am

    I love your meditations because they are non-dogmatic. If you’re religious, they align with belief in a higher power; if you are not, they align with aspirations to actuate the best within oneself. I’m an atheist. It may be surprising how many atheists practice meditation. (Susan Blackmoore, for example, has practiced Zen for years.) Tranquility, inner and outer, is something most believers and non-believers can agree on.

  4. Mary on September 12th, 2009 11:03 am

    Beautifully stated, Joe. Someone in my local group called them “meditations without borders”. Hopefully when we meditate, we transcend boundaries. I’ve been impressed with the wide range of viewpoints people bring to these meditations — and yet we all find that common ground. Thanks for commenting.

  5. Dan on January 8th, 2010 6:32 am

    I have been meditating for some 20 years. First Vipassana then I explored other styles. Over the past few years I have been unsteady and anxious but since finding your wonderful podcasts have rediscovered what was so great about it. I thought I was done with guided meditations but have found yours to be of great help.

    I thought it might be helpful if there was one addressing anxiety. Unlike stress I think of anxiety as having a different emotional quality, more like fear and panic.

    in any case. thany you.

  6. Mary on January 8th, 2010 11:05 am

    Hi Dan, you are welcome. So glad you’re enjoying meditation again and that our podcast has helped.

    I’ve had many requests for a meditation on anxiety. Anxiety does have its own “emotional quality”. My desire is to be able to address that in a more comprehensive way than could be done with a single guided meditation. I’ve been working on a program for anxiety relief which will hopefully help people make some deeper shifts with regard to anxiety.

  7. nihal bhat on February 21st, 2010 5:15 pm

    i think most of your meditations will help anxiety. anxiety is just a medical term, the actual cause the meditations will correct.

    just wondering mary, what meditation philosophy or religion do you practise? Of course there isn’t any religious aspects in your meditation, just wondering =)

    btw i am quite religious i do meditation with http://www.bkwsu.org, but i find good variety in your ‘freestyle’ as well.

  8. Mary on February 21st, 2010 6:27 pm

    Thank you for your interest in my spiritual life, nihal. I’ve purposefully avoided sharing a lot about my personal viewpoint as I want Meditation Oasis and the meditations to be a place that will support people in their own discovery. My hope is that the meditations represent what is universal in the human experience and the “meditative” experience.

    I’ll have to give some thought about whether to share more in the future. Best wishes.

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