The way of the heart and the wisdom of our intuition
We are not the mind
The approach and foundation of meditative living is to work with what is in the way of living life more fully by centering in the heart and opening to one’s intuitive wisdom.
Relax and trust.
Instead of chasing, fighting, fixing, hiding or numbing out from all the chatter, the self-destructive voices and expectations of the mind, the approach of meditation is to observe the mind, to not be its servant but its master. To become aware rather than be the minds voices, its programs, and believes which run our lives.
By watching them, we become less identified and they loose energy. Meditation is relaxation, not to get rid of anything, but to be present to what is, including the thoughts and emotions that arise. Through that presence or watchfulness we go beyond the mind, this gives us the space to respond to live, rather than react. Instead of the mind being the master, the mind becomes a valuable servant which unfolds its potential to function better in a demanding world and live our potential.
Meditation and becoming present does not mean to be passive and sitting still in silence on a meditation cushion. It is much more than that. It is a continuous process throughout each moment of the day. Whether you are doing the dishes, making love, taking your kid to school or studying for an exam, everything can be done meditatively.
At the Institute of Meditative Living the way of meditation starts to become present to the heart. The heart knows how to live authentically, free from judgment and conditioning, with responsibility and connection, it is a doorway towards our inner wisdom, our intuition and ultimately our being.
Meditative living means living life by being centred, undisturbed and empowered by our intuitive wisdom.
Centering in the heart
Centering in the heart is so profound because it takes us beyond the constraints of the mind—those constant judgments, labels, and fears that tend to separate us from others and even from ourselves. When we center in the heart, it’s like we return to a more authentic, grounded part of ourselves, one that operates from acceptance and love, rather than division and fear.
The heart being the "still point" amidst the chaos is such a powerful metaphor, like how the calm center of a storm remains untouched by the swirling chaos around it. It provides that anchor in times of emotional turbulence or stress. And the beauty of it is that the more we connect with it, the more we naturally respond with compassion, both inwardly and outwardly.
The heart acts as a foundation for growth, not the end goal, but a vital part of becoming whole. It allows us to go deeper, let go into the hara and connects us with ourselves and others, fostering love and acceptance. In therapy, opening the heart creates a safe, healing space for clients to relax and release. This heart-centered presence can also shift how we engage with the world, bringing more compassion and connection into everyday life, there’s an intuitive quality that arises.
Intuition never ears it always guides us to the right cause of action
Osho
Opening to our intuitive wisdom
From being centred in the heart as a first step out of our minds, we naturally open ourselves to dropping deeper into the wisdom of our body. From the receptive place in our heart, where we accept ourselves and can allow thoughts, emotions, sensations and feelings to arise and embrace them with loving compassion, we naturally connect to the hara.
The hara is the center of our live energy which is located 2 inches below the navel inside the body. This is the place where live starts and ends, it is the source of our live energy. Making a conscious effort to open our heart eventually we will connect with this source of life energy, the hara, This will give us the vitality, trust and strength to live our potential and enjoy the freedom of a responsible live.
Our intuitive wisdom gives us direction on how to go and how to move. It is the voice of the feminine energy coming through us that demands to be backed up by the masculine energy into speaking up and living our lives truthfully. Living from this place means living a life of freedom and pure aliveness.
“Often meditation techniques are mistaken as meditation. The techniques are only needed to help us develop ourselves so that eventually there is no need for a technique because we become meditation, presence , centered beings.”
Nadeen