Loving-kindness and Non-harm as a Preliminary

Most of us sit down to meditate and jump straight into watching the breath — but what if a few minutes of preparation made the whole practice easier? In this talk, Travis Hicks explores the idea of preliminary practices, drawing on Mahasi Sayadaw's recommendation of six things worth doing before formal meditation begins.

The six include reflecting on your own virtuous conduct, recalling the benefits of practice, cultivating confidence in the teachings, bringing to mind the qualities of the Buddha, practicing a little loving-kindness, and recollecting death as a nudge toward urgency. Travis shares honestly how he has been experimenting with these in his own practice, and makes a case especially for two: metta as a way of softening the heart before settling the mind, and the simple reflection on good things we have done — something our culture, he notes, doesn't make particularly easy. The talk is practical and personal, with a bug catcher making a memorable appearance along the way.

About Travis

Travis Hicks has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1995 and teaching since 2005. He completed a two-year teacher training program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center under the guidance of senior teachers in the Theravada tradition. Travis brings a warm, accessible style to the dharma, drawing on both classical Buddhist teachings and contemporary psychology. He leads weekly sittings, daylong retreats, and occasional residential retreats for the IMH community.

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Episoder(23)

Mudita to purify the Heart

Joy isn't something we have to manufacture — it's something we can learn to recognize and receive.In this talk, Ginger Clarkson guides the group through mudita, or sympathetic joy, drawing on teaching...

6 Okt 20min

The Fruits of Practice

People come to meditation for many different reasons, but the destination is often left unclear. What does this practice actually lead to?In this talk, Travis Hicks traces the arc of a deepening pract...

30 Sep 14min

Guided Meditation - Metta

A 30 minute guided meditation on Metta by Travis Hicks

22 Sep 31min

The Wings of Awakening: Wisdom and Compassion

Wisdom and compassion are sometimes called the two wings of awakening — and a practice built on only one of them will eventually veer off course.In this talk, Travis Hicks introduces the four heart pr...

22 Sep 16min

The Essentials of Mindfulness

Whether you're new to meditation or have been practicing for years, coming back to the basics is always worthwhile.In this introductory talk, Travis Hicks lays out the essential qualities of mindfulne...

18 Sep 19min

Dependent Origination

Dependent origination is one of the deepest teachings in Buddhism — and also one of the most misunderstood.In this talk, Travis Hicks works through the Buddha's teaching on dependent co-arising, the f...

18 Sep 26min

Walking Meditation on the Four Elements

The four elements practice — earth, water, fire, and air — is one of the less commonly taught objects of mindfulness, but for some practitioners it opens something that sitting practice alone doesn't....

17 Sep 13min

Spiritual Renewal

Even a dedicated meditation practice can quietly become a routine — and that's exactly when renewal matters most.In this talk, Rafi Rahman reflects on what it means to bring freshness back to practice...

30 Jul 29min