After a brief review of the last two weeks' theme of the seven stages of the spiritual journey, we focus on how practice develops through transforming ten aspects of the "habitual ordinary mind," including our ways of thinking, how we relate to the body and heart, our senses of self, time, and "external" world, and so on.
An overview of metta practice and two methods of practicing metta (through phrases and through “radiating metta”), followed by a guided practice period and a few Q&A.
The Talk explores the traditional teachings of First Foundation of Mindfulness through personal stories & modern perspectives - emphasizing the elements of Calming the Bodily Formation & nervous system practices, the 4 Postures of Awakening, and the aspects of impermanence & not self in the Wisdom Refrain of the Sutta.
On the first evening of a four-week retreat for some, and the beginning of the fifth of eight weeks for others, we explore the “map” of our foundational practices: (1) developing wise or right view and intention; (2) samatha practice, developing concentration (or samadhi); (3) insight practice, with mindfulness as a core practice; (4) the heart practices, particularly lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity; (5) grounding in the body; and (6) touching freedom and awakening.
When we practice equanimity towards the conditions around us, as well as towards the conditions arising in our own minds, it allows the mind/heart to see with clarity and act with kindness.
What is the message of the great masters who've come before us? What are their teachings that can support and illuminate us as the living links in the unbroken chain of dharma practitioners since the Buddha's time?
