“Just remain on your cushion without expecting anything. Then eventually you will resume your own true nature. That is to say, your own true nature resumes itself.”  — Suzuki Roshi —

I believe there are sociocultural factors that contribute to ways that people tend to lose touch over time with their “own true nature.” One of the gifts I’ve received through meditating is that little by little I feel my true nature is resuming itself, as Suzuki Roshi predicts in reference to meditation under the picture of me at age 1 and then at age 50.  For me, I think meditation is helping to remove the “cultural sediment” that has gradually obscured my true nature over the five decades I’ve been alive.  And I am experiencing my inherent, basic goodness coming through more and more as it did so easily when I was a toddler.  This gift, among others, for me as man is inspiring me to offer mindfulness meditation guidance and support to other men.

Thus, in the first phase of Mind on Breath, I’m offering online courses and a community for men who are interested in developing and/or sustaining a simple, consistent meditation practice.  At the moment, I’m in the process of filling spots for my first pilot course offerings in May and July. “Meditation Made Manageable” is a 4-week online course that will meet each Tuesday evening, with brief check-ins on Fridays.  If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a part of these pilot courses, please check out the course page for details!

And in June, after the May pilot course completes, the “Dudes Abiding”* Community will launch.  This will be the first Mind on Breath online community offering instructor-led semi-weekly practice sessions with readings and discussions to help strengthen our personal meditation practices.  If you’re interested in joining, please visit our Community page to let us know, and we’ll send you registration details in mid-May!

In recent years, I’ve become increasingly passionate about men’s health and wellness, and about finding ways for us to support one another both individually and in community.  I invite each and every one of you to consider joining Mind on Breath and see for yourself what a mindfulness meditation practice may bring!

All the best, Jesse

P.S.  For anyone who wants to try out the form of meditation I teach, including men considering joining Mind on Breath, you’re welcome to join one of my twice monthly open meditation sessions.  Just visit the Open Meditations Sessions page to register!

*  “Dudes Abiding” is a mash-up of “The dude abides,” from The Big Lebowski (a well-known cult classic film with Zen overtones) and the translation from Sanskrit of “Shamatha,” (the form of meditation I teach) which in English means “peaceful abiding.”