Find Your Root | After Socrates Ecology of Practices #4

Join Dr. John Vervaeke as he introduces a practice called "Finding your Root". This practice aims to help you develop a unique form of relaxation that enhances your meditation experience, countering our traditional method of relaxation that often leads us towards sleep rather than elevated consciousness.
Diving into the core of meditative relaxation, Dr. Vervaeke compares the process to a martial artist's rooting technique. This technique requires both stability and relaxation, which leads to increased sensitivity and alertness without the mind becoming scattered. Such sensitization and stabilization are necessary for developing an acute sense of awareness, something that's invaluable not only in martial arts but also in situations of deep dialogues or Socratic practices.
Dr. Vervaeke emphasizes the importance of having a rootedness that allows you to remain stable yet sensitive, enabling an optimal flow within any situation. He highlights how this ability to root can be transferable to most aspects of our life, invoking the phrase from the Buddhist tradition, "sitting as still as a mountain, but as alert as a warrior."
This episode guides you through a detailed, step-by-step exercise to help you learn the art of rooting. Starting from a centered state, you'll be guided to expand and contract your awareness, inflating and deflating like a spherical balloon, leading you from a state of opening to a state of gathering, mimicking the flow of yin and yang. You'll be taught to find your 'sweet spot' between these two states, fostering a connection between you and the earth, stabilizing you downward while sensitizing you upward.
After going through the routing practice, you can then begin your meditation, following your breath, labeling your distractions, and befriending yourself. Revisit this episode to follow along the guided sequence as you learn to incorporate this vital practice into your meditation routine.
As always, thank you for joining in this journey of self-realization and mindfulness. Let the practice of finding your root guide you to a heightened state of awareness and sensitivity in your life.

[@Thomasp671]

I remember back in 2012 when I was losing my home, my wife and my children to divorce... I remember crying so many tears I felt as if I was trying to fill an ocean... the sorrow was so intense and so deep.. As I was sitting there in the chair weeping, I was looking at the wooden corner post that was holding up the roof of the garage... All of a sudden in my mind there was complete silence (as if I could see through the wooden post) as I felt this energy come from somewhere else.... I began to stare at the wooden post into oblivion, I begin to ask myself questions of as to why all of this was happening to me when I had done nothing wrong to deserve it... I felt as if there was this inner part of me, this energy that was trying to pull me out of my deep sorrow... as this slowly passed, as the days went by, I begin to learn how to meditate, and to put my mind in another place instead of in my sorrows and slowly, but surely, the warm loving Tom Pickett that I used to know was slowly coming back... I had to face reality yes... but at the same time I had to understand that there was another part of life that was happier than the one that I had before. It's just I had to find it within myself.... Today I meditate every single day every time there is negativity and drama. I ignore what's going on around me, and I carry on with my life... I understand that the only things that truly exist in this life is compassion, love and honesty.... Have a good day everyone... :-)

[@kractopus7383]

Thank you for sharing this ❤

[@leondbleondb]

"Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift."

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

meditate: to think on. From the Latin “meditat-”, meaning “contemplated”, from the verb “meditari”, from a base meaning “measure”. In most religious/spiritual traditions, particularly those originating in Bharāta (India), meditation is a mental practice in which one either allows thoughts to appear in the mind (and simply observe those thoughts without discrimination) or else one tries to focus all thought upon a single object. That object can be almost anything, yet most commonly is a religious figure (such as God, a demigod, or a spiritual master), a point in one’s visual field (such as a candle flame), a brief prayer (normally referred to as a “mantra”), or elseobserving or focusing on one’s own breath (a fundamental part of “vipassanā”, in the Buddhistic tradition [“vipaśyanā”, in Sanskrit]). The main benefit of meditational practices is to free the mind of superfluous thoughts. Some individuals in the so-called “ultra-spiritual” community mistakenly believe that the cause of suffering is any thought whatsoever, and therefore, embark on a fruitless endeavour to eradicate all thoughts from the mind (or at least from the intellect - see Chapter 05). How I wish that every single one of those persons end-up in a coma for the remainder of their lives, since that is the only way that they will possibly achieve their clearly impossible goal. Humorously, even coma patients can experience dream thoughts, so even then, their aim may be thwarted! Fortunately, as demonstrated in Chapter 15 of this “Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”, the source of suffering is NOT due to thoughts as such, but due to a misunderstanding of how life operates. The cure for such nescience is unerring knowledge. In fact, I would posit that excessive meditational practices, such as that observed by the stereotypical Hindu/Buddhist monk who retreats to a mountain cave in order to meditate for about fifteen hours per day, is actually detrimental to one’s spiritual development, because it weakens the intellect. Just as the physical body requires regular exercise, the intellectual dimension of the human person also needs to be exercised via the study of philosophy and yoga, which is especially important for those who profess to be spiritual teachers. Therefore, a healthy balance between contemplative practice, intellectual endeavour, and physical exercise is most beneficial. Perhaps the most apposite form of meditation for the overwhelming majority of humans is a kind of ACTIVE meditation, in which one is perpetually contemplating how to best benefit society. Because it is practically impossible for one to fully control one’s thoughts, one should use the hyperactive nature of the intellect to its advantage, by constantly devising methods how to further dharma. This is the principal meditation practice of the current World Teacher Himself, The Saviour of Humanity, Jagadguru Svāmī Vegānanda. In some types of martial arts, most notably the Japanese aikidō (“way of harmonizing energy”), a martial art and self-defence system that resembles the fighting methods jujitsu and judo, the practitioner uses twisting and throwing techniques for the purpose of turning an attacker’s strength and momentum against himself. Similarly, when one uses the fickle nature of the mind (often referred to by spiritual teachers as the “MONKEY MIND”) to its strength and momentum, by concocting methods of promulgating holy and righteous precepts throughout one’s community (i.e. karma yoga), one is routinely elevated to a more serene mental disposition. Some persons believe that one can learn the “secrets of life” (that is, to fully understand life/existence, and how to live one’s life in accordance with the universal, Divine Will) by sitting in the lotus position and focusing one’s attention on the base (or tip) of one’s nose for several hours per day! Undoubtedly, some have received wise insights during their meditation practice, but to assume that one can replace the accumulated wisdom of the sages over the past twenty thousand years or so, with an introspective path of illumination, is, sad to say, one of the many delusions of pseudo-spirituality. None of the great sages in history were so naturally enlightened as to dispense with a living guru. Even a single day spent at the feet of an actual spiritual master can be more valuable to gaining knowledge and insight into the meaning of life, than an entire lifetime of meditating on one’s navel (figuratively speaking).

[@Jimmy-el2gh]

Outstanding 🙏namaste brother

[@imogenrex6286]

I've been looking for this info all my life - its the key - so grateful - thanks!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

meditate: to think on. From the Latin “meditat-”, meaning “contemplated”, from the verb “meditari”, from a base meaning “measure”. In most religious/spiritual traditions, particularly those originating in Bharāta (India), meditation is a mental practice in which one either allows thoughts to appear in the mind (and simply observe those thoughts without discrimination) or else one tries to focus all thought upon a single object. That object can be almost anything, yet most commonly is a religious figure (such as God, a demigod, or a spiritual master), a point in one’s visual field (such as a candle flame), a brief prayer (normally referred to as a “mantra”), or elseobserving or focusing on one’s own breath (a fundamental part of “vipassanā”, in the Buddhistic tradition [“vipaśyanā”, in Sanskrit]). The main benefit of meditational practices is to free the mind of superfluous thoughts. Some individuals in the so-called “ultra-spiritual” community mistakenly believe that the cause of suffering is any thought whatsoever, and therefore, embark on a fruitless endeavour to eradicate all thoughts from the mind (or at least from the intellect - see Chapter 05). How I wish that every single one of those persons end-up in a coma for the remainder of their lives, since that is the only way that they will possibly achieve their clearly impossible goal. Humorously, even coma patients can experience dream thoughts, so even then, their aim may be thwarted! Fortunately, as demonstrated in Chapter 15 of this “Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”, the source of suffering is NOT due to thoughts as such, but due to a misunderstanding of how life operates. The cure for such nescience is unerring knowledge. In fact, I would posit that excessive meditational practices, such as that observed by the stereotypical Hindu/Buddhist monk who retreats to a mountain cave in order to meditate for about fifteen hours per day, is actually detrimental to one’s spiritual development, because it weakens the intellect. Just as the physical body requires regular exercise, the intellectual dimension of the human person also needs to be exercised via the study of philosophy and yoga, which is especially important for those who profess to be spiritual teachers. Therefore, a healthy balance between contemplative practice, intellectual endeavour, and physical exercise is most beneficial. Perhaps the most apposite form of meditation for the overwhelming majority of humans is a kind of ACTIVE meditation, in which one is perpetually contemplating how to best benefit society. Because it is practically impossible for one to fully control one’s thoughts, one should use the hyperactive nature of the intellect to its advantage, by constantly devising methods how to further dharma. This is the principal meditation practice of the current World Teacher Himself, The Saviour of Humanity, Jagadguru Svāmī Vegānanda. In some types of martial arts, most notably the Japanese aikidō (“way of harmonizing energy”), a martial art and self-defence system that resembles the fighting methods jujitsu and judo, the practitioner uses twisting and throwing techniques for the purpose of turning an attacker’s strength and momentum against himself. Similarly, when one uses the fickle nature of the mind (often referred to by spiritual teachers as the “MONKEY MIND”) to its strength and momentum, by concocting methods of promulgating holy and righteous precepts throughout one’s community (i.e. karma yoga), one is routinely elevated to a more serene mental disposition. Some persons believe that one can learn the “secrets of life” (that is, to fully understand life/existence, and how to live one’s life in accordance with the universal, Divine Will) by sitting in the lotus position and focusing one’s attention on the base (or tip) of one’s nose for several hours per day! Undoubtedly, some have received wise insights during their meditation practice, but to assume that one can replace the accumulated wisdom of the sages over the past twenty thousand years or so, with an introspective path of illumination, is, sad to say, one of the many delusions of pseudo-spirituality. None of the great sages in history were so naturally enlightened as to dispense with a living guru. Even a single day spent at the feet of an actual spiritual master can be more valuable to gaining knowledge and insight into the meaning of life, than an entire lifetime of meditating on one’s navel (figuratively speaking).

[@Ayesha_F]

Phenomenal. I'm going to use this!

[@shamanic_nostalgia]

Thanks I really appreciate these videos where you break down the practice

[@CeeLow53]

Subscribed for this!! Thank you!!

[@colorfulbookmark]

It is Saturday today, have good weekend, people and this weekend is with Dr.Vervaeke's video and everyone's spare time is happily ever after ^_^

[@projectmalus]

Thanks, have a great day.

[@g.c.9904]

I think I might suffer from a mild form of anxiety. Sometimes I get caught up in the middle of multiple inputs from clients, co-workers, issues of any kind, tiredness. I have to think and act fast. My workplace is chaotic and disorganized and my boss could suffer from some type of narcissistic pattern. I have to keep a pace that is not human anymore. The last few weeks I found myself in situations when I acted out in meditative state. I felt wonderful for a few minutes, then something adds up, another issue or a bad word and that wonderful mood crumbles. Quite hard to keep your mind when everyone else can't keep theirs. Especially when their judgment, true or false, can affect your quality of life in terms of salary. Sorry for my bad English and for the off topic comment. Refreshing content. Greetings from Italy

[@JohnSaber]

👍✝️✡

[@cameronidk2]

is Root Pre Flow ?

[@shanegfenwick]

This is fantastic, thanks John.

[@Nathan-no3gu]

I need simpler than this Doctor. I’m trying to take as much in, but I’m far from the flow

[@cameronidk2]

Not the GQ look underneath the Six pack? sorry ..love ya John

[@manuelx23]

the Camera man needs a bit of meditation, please leave the camera still, otherwise is distracting thanks

[@kractopus7383]

John, thank you for this❤

[@HigoWapsico]

Much love ❤️ From #1

[@mattmurphy6250]

Damn. Thank you.

[@clumsydad7158]

the sense of rootedness, a connected belonging, and where we can realize our unique selves in healthy and productive ways - what we are missing

[@cameronidk2]

AS a high level extrovert, besides the natural initiation of flow which happens spontaneously, I've never considered meditation practices while in public. Events , tests, performances sure .. but day to day almost never