Compassionate Integrity Training CIT-Faciltator-Guide-2.1-Final | Page 69

C OMPASSIONATE I NTEGRITY T RAINING
A S ECULAR E THICS A PPROACH TO C ULTIVATING P ERSONAL , S OCIAL AND E NVIRONMENTAL F LOURISHING
R ESTING THE M IND IN ITS N ATURAL S TATE P RACTICE S CRIPT
(10 to 12 minutes)
In Preparation for the Practice:
During this practice you will be asked to shift your attention from your breath to your unfolding inner
experiences. You will try not to get attached to any thoughts, feelings, or sensations and not push them
away. Simply allow them to be present in the space of your mind, allow them to remain, and eventually
pass away naturally. One metaphor we will use for this is the blue sky. The mind can be thought of like the
blue sky that is always present, clear, and luminous, despite the clouds, birds, airplanes, or rainbows that
may appear in the space of the sky. The sky shows no preference for any of these objects. It does not hold
onto any of them or try and push them away. With this practice we are cultivating the skill of equanimity,
which will allow us to be less reactive to our thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Start of Practice:
If you are making a recording of this script, add the italicized text. If you are reading this script in a live
setting, omit the italicized text.
This contemplative practice is designed to be used in conjunction with the Compassionate Integrity
Training program. Many of the terms and concepts used in this practice assume knowledge that comes from
the CIT manual and classes. For more information about CIT, please visit www.compassionateintegrity.org.
Let’s begin the practice by taking a relaxed and upright posture. ( For instructions and tips about posture,
please listen to the Introduction to Contemplative Practices podcast. ) Now bring to mind one of your
resources. Picture this resource as vividly as possible. (pause for 30 seconds)
As you think of your resource, track the pleasant or neutral sensations in your body and rest your attention
with one of these sensations. (pause for 30 seconds)
C ENTER FOR C OMPASSION , I NTEGRITY AND S ECULAR E THICS | L IFE U NIVERSITY | M ARIETTA , G EORGIA
-62-