Open Heart Guided Group Meditation

This session, we'll explore a grounded, practical meditation you can do to reestablish natural contentment, dispel chronic negativity and brain fog, and feel like your old self again. As we get older, many people start to lose touch with the things that used to bring them joy. Responsibilities pile up, days blur into each other, and it's easy to push off the things we used to care about until "someday." However, there are practices that can be done in however much time you have available to bring your true self back to light, all it takes is intention and consistency.

Chairs are available for up to 15 people, or, if you prefer, you can bring a mat or cushion. We might also sit outside on the shaded patio when the weather is nice.

Your instructor:

I’m Lindsay Kriebel, an instructor (skt. acharya) with Open Heart Sangha. I’ve practiced with Open Heart for going on 5 years, following 10 years of throwing every self-help solution I could find at addiction, depression, and social anxiety. It’s taken me this long to see that complex problems can’t be solved by more overthinking. Simple solutions like developing compassion for myself and others work exactly because they are so basic. When I’m not seeking spiritual realization, I’m a librarian, seeking information for law students at the University of Arizona.

Open Heart practices are for anyone who has an interest in spirituality and creating meaningful change in their life. We focus on down-to-earth practices that can be felt, practices that transform your mind, body, and heart. For those who wonder what your true nature is and how to become yourself again, please join.

Many people meditate to grow their attention span or gain clarity, but the possible benefits can go far beyond this, including changing your relationship to pain and suffering (creating a “frictionless” experience) and even healing of trauma. This week we’ll discuss the benefits of different kinds of meditation (e.g., compassion practice, insight meditation, and others). Then I’ll lead a session of vipassana (insight) meditation that involves investigating the nature of the mind, a practice that can lead to lasting change in your perception of the world.

Chairs are available for up to 15 people, or you can bring a mat or cushion if you prefer. We might sit outside in the shaded patio area if the weather is nice.

In these hour and a half sessions, I will guide us through sitting practice on a different theme each week. Themes will include:

What is your true nature? (hint, you are good)
Compassion in a world on fire
Awakening: what is it, how do you get there?
Digital divide: why in-person community matters
Meditation for neurodivergent minds: no willpower required
Full healing of trauma: no dream too big.

This week I'll introduce everyone to a physical practice called Immortality Exercise, similar to Tai Chi, which combines mindfulness and gentle movements to keep your body strong and healthy. It involves alternating mindfulness in the body (called yi in traditional Chinese practices) and joint mobilization with relaxed open awareness, leaving you feeling deeply relaxed and keeping your joints supported and healthy. There is no need to be in any particular shape for these exercises, they are very gentle and can be adjusted for injuries.

If the weather is nice, we'll head out to the shaded patio for the exercises. No need for a yoga mat or any equipment, as all movements are done standing up.

Your instructor:

I’m Lindsay Kriebel, an instructor (skt. acharya) with Open Heart Sangha. I’ve practiced with Open Heart for going on 5 years, following 10 years of throwing every self-help solution I could find at addiction, depression, and social anxiety. It’s taken me this long to see that complex problems can’t be solved by more overthinking. Simple solutions like developing compassion for myself and others work exactly because they are so basic. When I’m not seeking spiritual realization, I’m a librarian, seeking information for law students at the University of Arizona.

Open Heart practices are for anyone who has an interest in spirituality and creating meaningful change in their life. We focus on practices that can be felt, practices that transform your mind, body, and heart. For those who wonder what your true nature is and how to become yourself again, please join.