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Retreat Dharma Talks

Retreat with Ajahn Sucitto

2019-12-15 (10 days) Uttama Bodhi Vihara

  
2019-12-18 Pick Up the Thread 30:41
Ajahn Sucitto
In meditation we practice to find the balance of both focused and open awareness. We place the mind on a concept, and linger there letting the meaning run through the heart. Mind finds it difficult, but body does it naturally. The body can teach us the right kind of attention that lifts the mind and makes it happy.
2019-12-18 The Frame of Mindfulness – Sympathetic Awareness 61:20
Ajahn Sucitto
The contents of the mind become the preoccupation, but there’s another reference point – the framework. Mindfulness is this frame. Don’t go into the content. Bear with the turbulences of mind within the frame of sympathetic awareness and just know, this the heart affected by feeling.
2019-12-18 Q&A 2 1:18:41
Ajahn Sucitto
Restlessness/preoccupation with things to do; mental proliferation/lost in mind; bad memories; ānāpānasati; 5 khandā
2019-12-19 Progressive Dispassion 24:15
Ajahn Sucitto
In meditation we repeatedly return to qualities that calm the citta. When we relate to phenomena in a reassuring, steadying way, citta experiences dispassion. There’s a progressive withdrawal from phenomena because citta begins to sense itself as stable, satisfying and valuable. It has no more purpose in going out. This is the maturation process.
2019-12-19 The Five Aggregates 54:36
Ajahn Sucitto
The aggregates work together to create the phenomenological world. But citta isn’t affected by this world of sense data, it’s affected by kamma – various unresolved memories, feelings and conditioned phenomena. Tend to the point of saṇkhāra to replace reactive habits, soothing the heart and releasing the grip of kamma.
2019-12-19 Guided Meditation – Body Sweeping 49:55
Ajahn Sucitto
Guided meditations can help in terms of timing, to demonstrate just how slow a process meditation is. Generally, the object of meditation is simple, it’s the handling of it that’s the skill. Body sweeping develops receptivity of the body. One cultivates tonal qualities of receptivity and care.
2019-12-20 Comments on Walking 11:17
Ajahn Sucitto
We’re so conditioned to keep moving on to the next, the mind has already moved on before the foot has completed its step. Practice as if there’s no next. Tune into the fluid, easy movement of the whole body. Let the mind settle into samādhi.
2019-12-20 The Magnificent Navigation Aids Given Us to Cross the Ocean of Dukkha 52:53
Ajahn Sucitto
The contents of body and mind can become the prominent features of our attention. The content forms the ocean we need to cross over. We want to cross the ocean, not build a house there, not become too fascinated by it. The Dhamma offers tools to help us steer and manage our boats so we can cross the ocean.
2019-12-20 What Touches the Heart Affects the Body 63:33
Ajahn Sucitto
Citta is susceptible to uncontrollable emotional reactions. It gets thrown around by feeling. The fundamental principle is to be able to feel unpleasant feeling. The body provides support.
2019-12-21 Skillful Means for Handling Dukkha 56:38
Ajahn Sucitto
Citta is alternately translated as mind, heart and awareness. We use skillful means to apply these three aspects appropriately, for handling dukkha and understanding how it’s generated.
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