The occasion for retreat gives opportunity to establish a field of integrity and make heart offerings by taking precepts, chanting, making offerings to the shrine, and bowing.

Instructions to establish a grounded, upright posture for meditation and for using breathing to strengthen energy.

Ajahn Sucitto compares Dhamma practice to wilderness training – attention is not so driven, and there’s a global awareness. He suggests ways of fortifying and strengthening our practice to meet afflictions of the heart.

Citta is affected by what we take in from our fields. Generally overwhelmed with afflictive effects, there is a point when we can stop and open in the midst of affliction and bring forth faith. The 5 spiritual faculties then have authority over the 5 sense faculties, imbuing the heart with wholesome qualities.

What arises in our fields is based on what’s been intended and activated. We become overwhelmed by the persistent activations of control, pressure, separateness. Accessing our Dhamma field gives rise to that which seeks balance, harmony, and that which seeks the welfare of all.

What’s there when self-view is released? Beneath the grip of self-view is the intention to welcome and include it all. Intentionality comes before attention.

Instructions for coming into the bodily sense through ground, upright posture and space.

Our self can become extremely busy seeking safety and comfort, acceptance and inclusion. Use the body to ground this agitated energy – embodiment is the ground we reflexively seek.

There are various tools and forms for meditation, but most important is our relationship to these: right intention, not too much effort, allowing the natural arising of experience.

After attuning to the subjective experience of the back, guidance is provided to use perceptions as a means for generating comfort and relaxation.