Neil McKinlay Meditation

Home
Canada
Victoria, BC
Neil McKinlay Meditation

Providing online and in-person support for everyone wanting to bring embodied meditation more fully into their everyday lives.

11/29/2024

Images of Wakefulness:
The Latest from Our Communal Explorations

A series of practices is emerging among us. This is a sequence in which the story of one lays the foundation for the story of the 'next', which lays the foundation for the one 'after' that.

We've explored the white backdrop; the story of the ground which is our vast and mysterious life. We've explored the story of our basic practice, in which our inherent mindfulness invites attention into this present moment. The story of our embodied practice connects us with the form (trunk), energy (roots), and space (earth and sky) of this embodied instant.

This week, we started to emphasize the subtle/energetic relational roots of our practice - a facet of meditation that I feel is sorely under-appreciated. In the story of our supportive practice, we allowed the (very broadly defined) others that are sensed when we meditate to accompany, companion, witness, and support us.

11/22/2024

Images of Wakefulness:
The Latest from Our Communal Explorations

We're starting to layer a series of practices one atop of the other. Rather than introduce a whole series of different practices, we are allowing an organic sequence to unfold in our midst. A sequence in which the story of one lays the foundation for the story of the 'next', which lays the foundation for the one coming 'after' that.

There are three stories evident in this week's image. The white backdrop is the story of the ground: our vast and mysterious life. The sitting meditator is the story of our basic practice, in which our inherent (aka: basic) mindfulness invites attention into the present moment.

The tree, which we explored this week, is the story of our embodied practice, which connects us with the form (trunk), energy (roots), and space (earth and sky) of this embodied instant.

11/16/2024

Images of Wakefulness:
The Latest from Our Communal Explorations

Before bringing together the Online Gathering's two longstanding contemplations - maitri and the subtle body - we are taking a step back to review/remind ourselves of the layers of meditation practice we've explored these past few months.

This week, we spent some time with what might be described as 'a basic practice'. This is a practice in which we let what is basic in us - in this instance, mindfulness - lead and guide our meditation session.

Reflect upon this for a moment: we are letting "what is basic in us - in this instance, mindfulness - lead and guide our meditation session." We are not, in other words, making some Herculean effort to do something that is foreign to and different from us. We are giving ourselves to something that is basic in us, something inherent, something innate.

How does this affect your understanding and experience of meditation practice?

04/12/2024

The Beauty Of Being
An In-Person Meditation Retreat
With Neil McKinlay
May 4-5 | Victoria, BC

For decades, I have understood meditation as a largely solitary pursuit. It is a practice engaged alone, in the quiet of an empty room, breath in and breath out.

In recent months, however, this long held notion has undergone tectonic alterations. It has become apparent that the practice of meditation is, in fact, a communal one. For as we settle into our experience and begin to touch ever more subtle layers of being, this is what we find: relationship.

We find relationship with ourselves. We find relationship with others seen and unseen, known and unknown, human and other than human, living and passed. We find relationship with the earth. And find relationship with grace. We find all manner of connection and intimacy that holds and supports and nourishes us as we meet the stuff or our practice, meet the stuff of our lives.

'The Beauty of Being' is an opportunity to explore this sense of relatedness together. Spaces are limited. Attendance is possible on Saturday and/or Sunday. Registration closes on Friday April 26.

For more information:
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/336057/emails/117741943304226751

03/26/2024

The Beauty Of Being
An In-Person Meditation Retreat
With Neil McKinlay
May 4-5 | Victoria, BC

'The Beauty of Being' is a meditation retreat taking place just outside Victoria, BC. With guided and unguided sessions, short talks, and group discussion, the event invites us to touch the beauty of this embodied moment and contemplate ways to carry this in the world.

As of Tues Mar 26 at Noon PT, registration portals for this retreat are open.

Find more information at:
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/336057/emails/116652226847442631

03/22/2024

Another Newsletter Is Ready
Meditation Update | Mar '24
Get Access Below

Dear Friends,

An unfortunate blip in my recovery from last Spring's breakdown/breakthrough experience and a lingering technical issue have kept me out of touch for longer than I'd like. Given this, I'm happy to be back with another newsletter for you.

What will you find this time around?

* A 12 minute video describing the essential role relationship - our deep relatedness with ourselves, with others, with the earth, and with the divine - plays in meditation practice:
https://vimeo.com/911647628/ecdc280fae?share=copy

* A heads up / save the date announcement regarding my next in person weekend retreat. This takes place Sat May 4 and / or Sun May 5. Registration opens Tues Mar 26 at noon PT. Spaces are limited:
https://www.keepandshare.com/doc29/116883/beauty-of-being-more-info-pdf-81k?da=y

* And if you want to see the entire newsletter:
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/336057/emails/113465913601164883

Gratitude and best wishes as always,

Neil

01/08/2024

A New Year's Message
Sunday January 7, 2024

Happy New Year, one and all!

I want to share a bit of a New Year's message with all of you (link below), with everyone here. The video is a relatively short (20 minutes) reflection upon the year just passed, and a little encouragement for the year to come. It's been lingering in mind/body for several weeks now; I'm happy to finally pass it along.

As you might expect, I hope this note finds you well in your practice and life. I look forward to our continuing to bring meditation more alive in our lives. I look forward to bringing the fullness of our embodied wisdom into the world for the benefit of all.

With gratitude and appreciations,

Neil

New Year's Message: https://vimeo.com/899928736/9ad6f327bf?share=copy

Address

Victoria, BC

Website

http://www.neilmckinlay.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Neil McKinlay Meditation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

RegenClinic
550-2950, Douglas Street

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Victoria?