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Retreat Dharma Talks
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Citta: Mind, Heart, Spirit
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| ‘Citta’ is perhaps the single most important reference point in Buddhist practice; it is that which is subject to ignorance and has the potential for liberation. Although the word is often translated as ‘mind’, in practice ‘mind’ falls short of the scope and the intimacy of ‘citta’. Although ‘heart’ is another useful option, this doesn’t cover citta’s full potential for samādhi, wisdom and release.
In this online retreat, we’ll explore some ways in which the term is used in the context of the Pali Canon, as well as practices for revealing and clearing citta through meditation and inquiry. |
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2020-12-06 (37 days)
Bodhi College
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2020-12-10
Boundariless Citta
26:41
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The boundless nature of citta can make us feel too vulnerable, so we put up boundaries that end up constricting us. Cultivation of the brahmaviharā, the measureless states, is a removal of those boundaries. An abiding place results that can act as a foundation for complete liberation.
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2020-12-10
Using Citta to Clear Obstacles and Conventions
34:07
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Ajahn Sucitto
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In the process of body meditation, the notional conventional body drops away and we find the citta body. With the cultivation of appamano states, it is nourished and strengthened to meet our negative afflictive states and heal them.
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2020-12-10
Q&A 1
22:18
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Equanimity as a brahmavihara and equanimity as a factor of awakening; latent tendencies (anusaya); uprooting hindrances; role of the formless realms in developing insight and freedom;; when is the mind is ready to go to the formless realm; where does vedanā fit in with manas/ mano; quality of self-respect in removing the need to prove oneself.
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2020-12-10
Q&A 2
52:56
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Relationship between citta, mano and viññāna; why doesn’t citta appear in the chain of dependent co-arising; what is samudayo; the nature of contact and perception conditioning feeling; how can one prepare for death; skills and developments of the mano function and how that mixes in with citta; helping other people; bubbling energy in meditation; limiting external impingements on citta in householder life.
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2020-12-11
Unwrapping Citta from the Khandha
27:46
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Citta is the still point in all the movement, tangle and impact. It’s hard to recognize, but body offers a reference point – the sense of presence. Yoniso manasikara, careful attention, trims the flood of experience to a summary message of what’s contacting you. Body can then be used to discharge the push of the aggregates.
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2020-12-11
Guided Meditation – Calm and Withdrawal
30:18
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Begin by remembering the value of calm and insight. Place attention carefully at the point of contact impression. Softening and widening so the impressions don’t stick. Let them roll off like beads of water.
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2020-12-11
'Unestablished' Citta
40:55
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Citta can have sore spots, particularly volatile reactions that spin it out into planning. There’s the possibility of not being in that compulsive grip, of turning to the deathless element. Citta can be trained to withdraw into its own stillness, its own knowing.
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2020-12-11
Q&A
15:10
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Is citta/mindfulness always present; who is attending to the citta; where does citta’s luminosity land; eyes opened or closed in meditation; thinking during discernment; use of cooling and warming in relation to what’s arising.
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2021-01-09
Guided Meditation – Sensitivity in Embodiment
58:30
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The ability to sense and feel, read how citta is affecting body and body is affecting it – this is initiation into the process. Use the language of touch rather than seeing. Our fundamental base to support this process is the wide-open body. It contains all of the kammic stuff we need to work through.
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