Day 1 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
Shape 2 Psychology and Neurology (37:56) 15 Jan 2022
The theme of mindfulness of breathing is to regulate so our bodily system comes into a moderated state. When heart-mind tunes into that it naturally gives rise to beneficial psychologies – simplicity, generosity, sympathy, warmth. When we begin to take in the qualities of our good actions, we’re no longer tense, irritable, jumpy or feeling guilty – things shift.
Day 1 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
Q&A (36:40) 15 Jan 2022
00:40 Guidance on the reclining position; 08:48 Managing energy, not overexerting but staying diligent; 15:06 Samādhi process as a settling “downwards” of the citta; 16:17 How can we meditate on space in the body; 22:08 How to distinguish cultivation from craving to become; 24:27 What weakens resolve; 26:29 Feelings of disappointment and resentment; 31:25 Feeling like the “I” was inclining to drop but felt stuck in recent meditation.
Day 2 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
Day 2 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
Day 2 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
Begin with a bit of movement and loosening so energy can flow freely. Once movement stops, sense into subtler aspects of bodily experience – where there is stability, space, connection. A lightness, even playfulness, is encouraged in meditation. Enjoy.
Day 2 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
Our walking gets programmed by the drives of the mind. Whatever affects the mind affects the nervous system of the body – the body shows us the effects of our thinking. Walking meditation can return us to the natural quality of the body, so the mind can relax.
Day 2 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
The natural shape of the heart when it’s not dragged out by the sense world has the quality of stable well-being to it. This is the highest happiness. Do what you can do from good intention, restraint and kindness. Keep returning to that because that’s your home base, where your heart is naturally able to express itself, manifest its values and qualities into your life.
Day 2 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
00:53 Please explain the idea of the pāramī; 04:59 Letting go of thinking/expectation; 07:44 Using the sound of silence in practice; 15:58 How Qigong connects to practice; 24:47 Tension in tongue and jaw; 25:03 Remaining “upright and joyful”; 29:23 Family does not agree with my practice; 34:13 Dealing with pain; 38:10 Experience of a deep horrific fear; 43:45 Out of body experiences while meditating; 45:19 Relationship between release of somatic knots and releasing the citta; 48:55 Regrets and resentment; 50:13 Can you speak about the āsava? 53:37 Difference between peace, serenity and tranquility? Pīti and sukha?
Day 3 – Well Being is the Shape of the Heart – An Online Retreat
We look for certainty in things that can ever be certain. Constantly pulled out by the world, we leave the only thing that can ever be certain – citta. Rather than attempt to get away from unpleasant feeling, we can review it, soothe and release some of its tangles. We might find it’s possible to be with discomfort, yet free and deeply secure.