The Buddha established the Great Assembly (male/female monastic/lay) to preserve the ongoing transmission of Dhamma. Patiently bearing with conditions is the way to curtail negative engagement – and relate more wisely. Thus one acknowledges what arises as objects – and thus reveal the open knowing. With this, a purer relationship to what arises, rather than identifying with it, is established.
Retreat is an occasion in which to repair, reset. In terms of life and meditation practice. In this process, mindfulness is accompanied by atapi – ardour, keeping things fresh – and various forms of clear comprehension (sampajano): to sense what is appropriate and fitting. Through referring to what arises in terms of objects one cultivates comprehension of purpose: to know objects as they are, and not self. This is comprehension in terms of non-delusion. There is also comprehension in terms of context (gocara), both internal and. external.
This cultivation brings stillness in the midst of conditions, and if we keep this going results build up. Through sustaining clear comprehension one realizes an openness that is stable, alert and all-encompassing
Suttas, Parittas and Funeral Chanting in Pali and English.
Morning and evening chanting and reflections in Pali and English.
Aim to clarify, and strengthen the heart. This is through gathering energy in the heart – that is ‘samadhi’ (concentration). Letting go in the flood of life requires this strength and the relinquishment that support, and are supported by, samadhi. In the presence of a balanced and strengthened citta, we see and respond to the irritations of life in a full-hearted way; The aggregates are cooled. (refers to M64 and S47.42)
Progressive cultivation of mindfulness to maintain presence through the range of states, so that one allows then to pass. Attention is less snagged on different qualities. It opens to simple awareness. Familiar reactions, and with them, identification,subside. Undifferentiated awareness remains. (refers to S.47:42)
Practice is about fostering growth based on wisdom, effort and view. Wisdom is conditioned by a faith that leads on to motivation/desire, energy, heart and discriminative attention (iddhipada). Effort should be wisely moderated – to sustain, restrain, persevere, uplift, calm. Application of citta is fundamental to the Path; but make it relevant to uplifting the heart.
Basis of healthy human life is goodwill. Our practice is to welcome, to allow and encompass differences. Speech and action based on Dhamma values establishes skilful common ground. We contemplate the effects of deluded reactions and release them – and the citta dwells in a beautiful place and grows beyond self towards measurelessness.
Messages arise from the citta/heart: world-weariness and a sense of resolve. One begins to withdraw from the input of sense-consciousness and attune to what the citta values: ethics, goodwill and skilful states. So there is a recognition of citta/heart, an intelligence that can reflect upon and moderate consciousness, and moves towards devotion and self-abandonment.(refers to A.10:58)