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Retreat Dharma Talks
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Ajahn Sucitto, Firm Centre Open Heart Retreat
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| 12-18 February 2020 | Buddhist Retreat Centre | Ixopo, South Africa
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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2020-02-12 (7 days)
Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo, South Africa
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2020-02-12
Firm Center Open Heart
42:52
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Ajahn Sucitto
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On this retreat, practices for establishing a firm center and open heart will be presented. Openness can be too vulnerable, we need to know what to filter and what to linger in. Precepts offer a firm center of integrity. The body can be a source of steady and calm. We bring to heart and mind that which is beautiful and aspirational to shift agitated energies. These are our refuges.
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2020-02-12
4 Basic Postures
34:43
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Ajahn Sucitto
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An overview of the 4 basic postures for meditation: sitting, standing [14:00], walking [17:05] and reclining [25:45].
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2020-02-13
Direct Practice: Sound Opens the Silence
31:31
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Ajahn Sucitto
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This is an exercise in direct practice, using sound to train the mind. Making a sound from one’s own voice, we use it to lengthen attention over one particular phenomenon rather than jumping onto the next thing. It opens the silence where the mind is poised, listening.
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2020-02-13
Deep Attention – Referencing Uplifting Tones
54:09
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Ajahn Sucitto
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In any cultivation there is a referencing that occurs. In Dhamma practice we refer back to uplifting tones – integrity, respect, appropriateness. These invite skillful qualities to arise making it possible to unseat demons of violence, greed and efficiency.
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2020-02-13
Making the Mind Fit
21:13
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The nature of mind is what you give attention to will grow. We use recollection to generate uplifting tones in the heart, to increase bright energy. This makes the mind fit to meet afflictive patterns and energies.
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2020-02-13
Develop a Forcefield of Goodwill
7:36
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Ajahn Sucitto
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In recollection we use thought more slowly than usual. Capture the meaning and touch the heart. This is a way to reset the heart, making it strong so it doesn’t go into resentment, grudges and other unpleasant states.
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2020-02-13
Hold the Heart Steady against the Push of Ill-Will
43:56
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The general mode is to change the outside world to please the heart, but this can never satisfy. We practice instead to change the heart, to make it strong enough to withstand the push of ill-will. Refuges include the Triple Gem, brahmavihāras, mindfulness of body and precepts.
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2020-02-14
Rising Energies and Tonalities
36:15
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Citta gets shaped into particular forms based on causes and conditions. Over time it can get locked into distorted forms constricting the natural nature of citta which is flexible, bright and expansive. With a mind of unconditional acceptance, energetic patterns can be cleaned and released through body.
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2020-02-14
Liberation and Structures
58:35
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Our personality patterning can be very intense and driven. We’ve got to build in something that holds it back, slows it down, tames it. We use a combination of structures and tonality to create new patterns, ones that keep us from holding on.
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