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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
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Retreat Dharma Talks
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Firm Center, Open Heart
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| One of the principle aims of meditation is to experience greater warm-heartedness – towards others and oneself. The absence of this is a major source of suffering, linked to anxiety, depression and mistrust. On this retreat, we will be cultivating the inner strength that supports and protects the heart so that its natural kindness and compassion can illuminate our lives. |
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2020-02-04 (7 days)
Dharmagiri
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2020-02-04
Precepts –Fundamental Principles for Purification
37:20
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The heart has tremendous potential for good or bad. We practice to clean up unfortunate effects that get established on it. Principles of respect, restraint and compassion are not only foundations for heart cultivation, but offerings to the world.
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2020-02-04
Guided Meditation: Settling into Body
19:26
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Where attention goes, that’s where energy goes. Disengaging and restraining from what’s not needed now, we draw awareness to what it is to be in this body. Body and mind unify around breath energy.
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2020-02-05
Establishing a Firm Centre
12:13
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Instructions for using body and breathing to establish a firm centre that’s also open. Building firmness from the ground up, releasing congestion through the out breath, drawing in fresh energy with the in breath.
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2020-02-05
Chanting Brings Breath and Sound Together
45:50
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The main quality of chanting is spreading energy to the body and space around. We use sound to send out heart energy. Practice with bringing breath and sound together is provided. Overview of Pāli pronunciation and explanation of puja follow.
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2020-02-05
Firm Centre Open Heart
60:00
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Ajahn Sucitto
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How to arrive at a grounded centre and undefended heart? Generally, attempts to firm up involve holding on or hardening the exterior that inhibit the heart’s opening. Instead, a shifting of attention and energy is suggested. Three reference points are offered to support this shift: food, work and rest.
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2020-02-05
Centring through Standing Meditation
13:40
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Ajahn Sucitto
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In standing meditation we’re not waiting for anything, not going anywhere, but centring. Tracking up the body, we can locate and unlock potentials for space so energy can travel.
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2020-02-05
Cultivation of Dhamma
53:19
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Ajahn Sucitto
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We practice Dhamma to clear through distortions and disturbances that become established. It takes training – setting aside what’s not needed and cultivating receptivity. Then what has always been there – the qualities of citta – are revealed.
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2020-02-06
3 Channels for Energy
29:57
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Ajahn Sucitto
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There is a 3-fold system through which energy operates: bodily, conceptual and emotive. As we practice to resolve and release negative energies, we need resources. Bringing together the 3 aspects of body, mind and heart provide a way to open channels to drain and release unresolved energies.
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2020-02-06
Kamma and Saṇkhāra
46:33
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Ajahn Sucitto
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We might experience running down familiar emotional tracks (saṇkhāra). Tracks get laid down by the repeated and habitual reactions to contact (kamma). To clear disturbing and negative tracks, widen attention and check the habitual impulse. The mind naturally seeks harmony and balance. Listen deeply for its response.
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2020-02-06
Natural Walking
11:13
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Natural walking has a smooth and self-synchronizing quality. It gives the mind a place to sit where it feels satisfied and doesn’t run out. This is the direction of samādhi.
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2020-02-06
Mindfulness of Breathing
65:12
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Rather than being about the inhalation and exhalation of breath, mindfulness of breathing is about soothing the life force energy. As energy settles in the body, many disruptive emotive tendencies are cleared, leaving the heart available to meet experience in a balanced and sensitive way.
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2020-02-07
The Liberating View
13:53
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Ajahn Sucitto
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A good part of our practice is adjustment in view. The divided view always leads to stirring and agitation. Deal with the rippling of energy directly in the wide overall field of body.
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2020-02-07
Transformation of Consciousness
64:06
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Ajahn Sucitto
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There can be a fundamental shifting of intention, of the source of kamma. Rather than following habitual reactions, hold them with a heart of goodwill and restraint. Through the expanding of relational intent is the cessation of suffering and stress.
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2020-02-07
Q&A
52:06
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Can non-monastics in the west reach enlightenment? Attachment in relationships; How to encourage care for the environment; Qualities that free us from world of senses; Freedom from rage resulting from abusive relationships; Compassionate response to racist remarks
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2020-02-08
The Calming Effects of Puja
24:54
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The devotional practices of pūjā can be used to steady the energetic field. Resonate simple sounds, images and meanings in the body to steady thought energy and open the heart.
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2020-02-08
The Healing of an Opened Heart
58:02
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Ajahn Sucitto
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An open heart is a transmitter of good qualities. Unsettled energies cause intentions and actions to lack clarity and steadiness. Relate to the energies of body, speech and mind with receptivity, compassion and goodwill. It’s the tonality that matters.
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2020-02-08
How to Sustain an Open Heart
66:54
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Ajahn Sucitto
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We can notice where we add stress to an already painful, difficult situation. The cause is tanhā and upādāna, craving and clinging. Use meditation to review the craving mind and feel the feeling without closing around it. The duty of the heart is to allow phenomena to arise and pass away.
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2020-02-09
Opening and Soothing the Causal Field
57:04
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The theme of the retreat, Firm Centre Open Heart, is a reminder of what the work is. Remaining steady in the “here-ness” of body, and opening the energetic field supports the releasing of kamma. In return you receive the natural beauty of your heart.
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2020-02-09
Refuges, Precepts and Reflections
61:57
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Ajahn Sucitto
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We can establish Firm Centre Open Heart as a core way of being. Refuges and precepts offer support as we train to remain awake and attentive outside of retreat. Vows of virtue and morality, when held with firm flexibility, allow wholesome qualities to be transmitted through the open heart.
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