I can’t find pure awareness when I meditate

That means you’re trying too hard.
Just relax.

Our modern mind has been speeded up: pressure, time, job/career, family, mortgage, speedy food and drink lacking real nutrition, and over stimulation from media. This has made us more alert and keen, but also uptight and exhausted.

Meditation is the time to relax into timelessness. This is where noticing the breath is so important. Long, slow, gentle breaths, moment by moment, taking a rest from the meditation from time to time. Break the meditation!

It might seem funny to say, “Take a break from the meditation”, but this is so that we don’t become stuck or tight. Remember; “Not too tight and not too loose.”

It is not about being ‘good’ at meditation. It is about noticing, about being aware of whatever appears. When we are aware of awareness, then awareness can rest within itself, clear and beautiful. Shopping?….tyres?….late?…kids?…..weekend?…. . . .emails!!… . . . just note and return to the gentle breath – long slow breaths. Awareness is always aware: now is the time to be aware of itself. Recognise this awareness as uncontaminated purity. Just a moment is enough. Gradually, we gain confidence, the moments join up, and there is a natural sustaining. The whole point it that this is natural and good.

Meditation is recognising and becoming familiar with pure awareness, our essential nature.