An Awakened Life

There is a story told of the Buddha when he was wandering in India shortly after his enlightenment. He was encountered by several men who recognized something quite extraordinary about this handsome prince now robed as a monk. Stopping to inquire they asked, "Are you a god?" "No,", he answered. "Well, are you a divine being or an angel?" "No," he replied. "Well, are you some kind of wizard or magician?" "No." "Are you a man?" "No." They were perplexed. Finally, they asked, "Then, what are you?" He replied simply, "I am awake." The word buddha means "one who is awake." How to awaken is all he taught.

(excerpt from Bringing Home the Dharma - Awakening Right Where You Are by Jack Kornfield)

To live an awakened life is to be more present to the moment by moment experience of our lives as they unfold in all of their complexity with an open and gracious heart. Seated meditation is a practice that we can do to strengthen our capacity to be more awake human beings. The mind is terribly unruly. It leans forward all the time...planning the next thing...getting to the next task on the to-do list. The mind also loves to think back to previous events...rehashing something you said or replaying old stories. And while the mind is either leaning forward into the future or hanging back in something that has passed we miss out on this moment. This very precious moment of our lives.

The good news is that things like seated meditation can teach us to be more present and awake and to arrive in this very moment. We can become more skillful at being here and now. That is a real gift not only to ourselves but to everyone you encounter in life....

My college roomate and dearest friend reminded me a while back how I used to sit in meditation in our funky apartment in the north end neighborhood of Burlington, Vermont. I had no formal training at the time but I do remember sitting down on the third floor of my bedroom loft and listening to the sound of the shakuhachi (japanese flute) on a CD and often lighting a candle that I would gaze at. Years later, I had learned that candle gazing is actually a formal form of meditation called Trataka. I had a lot of curiosity back then on how to quiet and settle my mind. This curiosity has remained steadfast and has made me a very Grateful teacher of yoga and meditation.

I am pretty darn joyful to announce that I will be teaching a weekly 30 minute guided meditation class every Friday starting this week. Come sit with me!

NEW CLASS 30 MINUTE GUIDED MEDITATION

Fridays 12:45-1:15 in person and on zoom. www.bhaktibarn.com

There is also an opportunity to get away mid May for a spring yoga and meditation retreat in Stowe,Vermont with my dear friend and teacher, Rita Murti, and I.

See details below!

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sundays 4:30pm-5:30pm www.bhaktibarn.com

Mondays 9am-10am Summit YMCA www.thesay.org

Tuesdays 11:15am-12:15pm www.bhaktibarn.com

Tuesdays 6pm-7pm Summit YMCA www.thesay.org

Fridays 11:15-12:30pm www.bhaktibarn.com

NEW CLASS 30 MINUTE GUIDED MEDITATION

Fridays 12:45-1:15 in person and on zoom. www.bhaktibarn.com

Been awhile since you unrolled your mat? Email me if you are interested in starting back quietly for privates or small group privates at your home including guided meditation sessions

SPRING RETREAT ANYONE???

May 15-May 18th 2025

My dear friend and teacher, Rita Murti, and I are hosting a retreat at Sterling Forest Lodge in Stowe, Vermont in October. https://www.sterlingforestlodge.com/

Our October retreat is sold out BUT we have an exciting opportunity to add another weekend this May (May 15-May 18th 2025)

May in Stowe, Vermont is the embodiment of renewal: tulips, daffodils, forsythia, lilacs, green grass - a great opportunity to celebrate the energy of new beginnings.

All inclusive pricing, organic meals, ayurvedic tips to smoothly transition into spring season, guided hikes, outdoor sauna/hot tub, yoga and meditation.

If you are interested please reach out to us

917.370.5212

jenniferphoffman@gmail.com