Establish mindfulness with the experience of a feeling body, the most fundamental source of feeling. Use a wide form of attention that covers the whole body. As phenomena are changing the mind is still with receptivity and deep listening. The nature of sati doesn’t react to feeling. The feeling can be felt, without blaming, criticizing or getting involved. When feeling isn’t given any more food, it becomes more equanimous.
We become entangled in the creations and reactions that arise based on ignorance. Mindfulness immersed in the body is where we can experience release from the powerful reflexes and currents. Translate the complexities of thoughts into the simplicity of emotional drives, and feel them in the body. Tune into what’s given – awareness, presence, stability – this is comfortable, this is pleasure, this is our basic ground.
Meditation – An Outline by Ajahn Sucitto
คู่มือที่ท่านถืออยู่นี้ จะพาท่านเดินทางไกล
กลับไปสู่กายใจของตนเองตามวิถีทางของพระพุทธองค์
ไม่ว่าท่านจะนับถือศาสนาใดก็ตาม
เมื่อใดที่ท่านเริ่มหันมาใส่ใจต่อสิ่งต่าง ๆ ที่กำลังผุดขึ้นกลางใจ
และใช้แนวทางจากหนังสือเล่มนี้พาใจของท่านมาสู่ความตื่นรู้
ออกจากความหลงหรือความทุกข์
และไปเข้าใจเหตุที่ก่อให้เกิดความทุกข์
ในใจของท่าน เมื่อนั้นท่านจะเกิดความสว่างขึ้นกลางใจ
จนจิตพบความสงบ และสันติ
21-10-20 Returning to the source (43:35)
The protocols for cultivation of citta differ from those that operate in the sense world. Step back from the object and notice how it’s affecting you; notice how the subject is being affected. This leads to a purification in terms of engagement with phenomena, and draws away from clinging and passion. From this place of solidity and strength, turn back to the wisdom of your own heart and act from there.
21-10-20 (GM) Troughs, peaks and open stability
In meditation, one might recognize troughs and peaks with regard to feeling. The idea is to smooth these out so we understand what touches us and how we react. Body and mind work together to create a stable, open presence so we don’t get swept away. Widening, opening, receiving activated energies but not the stories. This is the way you can level out the peaks and troughs.
21-10-19 Signs, distorted or uplifting (39:19)
In cultivation we’re learning to experience things directly as they really are. We come to understand that we are moved and triggered by signs, not things. A lot of practice is about turning attention away from unskillful signs and cultivating skillful ones – cooperation, generosity, goodness. Then you’ve got something precious that takes you through difficult places and makes you feel comfortable when you’re in a bleak state.