Whether one’s context is of a meditative community, or a natural world, or of mainstream society, one’s world is based on perceptions. To get perspective on this, bodily presence is basic. It opens an awareness before the mind gets going, and before the world of circumstance. Learn to filter the shocking ‘world’ of the media.. Sustain perceptions of the bright and worthy- and live in accord. Don’t go automatic!
This teaching uses the metaphor of a keel of a boat, that which gives balance in open ocean waters, to point to how to handle conditionality. Finding that balance between what we restrain from (varita) and what we do (charita); between internal and external. The heart already knows this balance, if we can just shine a light on it.
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.