Debra Chamberlin-Taylor

Inspired by the Buddha’s teaching that the whole of the Dharma can be found “in this fathom-long body,” Debra leads a gentle, heart-centered body scan, awakening a deep sense of presence and kindness through softening into sensation and the life of the body as it is. This meditation was given on day 2 of the 2019 Awakening Joy retreat.

The cause of suffering isn’t that we’re in these bodies that get sick and old. It’s grasping and fighting with the way things are that brings about suffering. Even here, in the midst of this realm where everything changes, and there can be loss and disappointment—in the middle of all this, freedom is possible when we open and let go. Joy is possible. As we open and let go, we give up fighting against life. The Buddha said that there is no greater joy than the joy of freedom. He’s talking about this freedom, that real deep freedom that comes through letting go.