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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks
2016-01-07 Characteristics of mindfulness 51:29
Ajahn Sucitto
the doors to the deathless; right view the essential reference; that which can arise and be gladdened; 11 doors or entry points –4 jhanas, 4 bhrama-viharas and three immaterial states; the Buddha advised meditators to “absorb”, rather than concentrate / tightening up; a sponge must absorb to open up, not contract; need to drench ourselves in withdrawal; viveka, vitaka, vichara, piti and sukka; in the body; using wise (rather than hard or tight) attention; withdrawal from unwise attention; intention (the inclination of the heart) comes before attention and replaces immature lunging in or irresolute attention; make the intention one pointed as the mind settles down and the attention will follow; necessary wise preparation; a wise cow in the mountains; shortcoming of language; tracking the breath through the body, its beginnings and endings; a careful and deliberate enjoying is to be encouraged; open and soften; spread it through the body by directing it; first jhana; seeing the presence and absence of hindrances and learning though the simplicity of the experience of it; it’s like THIS now; not rushed , not biased or corrupted by the mind turning things upside down/ getting things wrong; appreciate the comparative slowness of the dawning quality on the citta; the open moments; pausing at the end of things; what’s helpful now?

2011-11-09 Getting Down to Direct Experience V: And practicing with views, concepts, and stories. 60:28
Donald Rothberg
We again review briefly the meaning of "getting down to direct experience" and then explore how to use concepts and views skillfully as we are somewhat away from direct experience.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2011-11-02 Getting Down to Direct Experience IV: How Can We Relate Skillfully to Thinking? 58:49
Donald Rothberg
After reviewing the emphasis on grounding in more direct experience, we explore how to be skillful as we move away from indirect experience with our thinking, focusing on (1) having our thinking connected with direct experience and (2) using "views" wisely. Includes Q and A.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2011-10-26 Getting Down to Direct Experience III 63:07
Donald Rothberg
Building on the last two sessions, we explore three inter-related aspects of ignorance or confusion: 1. How we move away from direct experience, especially because of reactivity. 2. How we develop, personally and collectively, unconscious material;and 3. How we do not fully understand impermanence, the roots of suffering and the nature of the self. We suggest ways to practice with all three forms of ignorance.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2011-10-19 Getting Down to more Direct Experience II 57:42
Donald Rothberg
We look further at the mechanisms by which we move away from direct experience. unskillfully, driven by reactivity and papanca (conceptual proliferation). We point to practices of tracking thoughts, emotions, reactivity-that help us ground in more direct experience, leading to greater freedom and responsiveness-personally interpersonally, and collectively.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2011-10-05 Getting Down to Direct Experience 59:47
Donald Rothberg
The essence of our practice is to learn ever better to respond rather than react to experience. Using the model of the "Ladder of Inference," we see how we, when reactive, move away from more direct experience-personally, inter personally and socially. We then explore practices to help us "get down."
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

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