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Retreat Dharma Talks

July 2023

2023-07-01 (31 days) Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge

  
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2023-07-02 Morning Instructions: #1 Metta & the Body 44:48
Nikki Mirghafori
To arrive at every moment with metta in this body, imbuing the in and out breath with gentle care & good will.
2023-07-02 The Buddha's Teachings to Rahula 52:36
Sayadaw U Jagara
Anapana sati seen in frame of instuctions given bu the Bddha to his son Rahula (MN:61, 62). "Gradual Training" overview and principles (MN:51)
2023-07-03 Morning Reflections #2 33:52
Sayadaw U Jagara
How do we relate to life, internally and externally? Listening and observing as a correct approach, together with carng and respect, (metta).
2023-07-03 Talk #3: Gradual Training Continued (part 2) 49:27
Sayadaw U Jagara
Continuation of Maha - Rahulovada Sutta: The Greater Exhortation to Rahula
2023-07-04 Morning Reflections #3: Introducing the Breath 41:03
Nikki Mirghafori
Having clear comprehension of the breath with ease and good-will
2023-07-04 Overview of Anapanasti: 16 Steps 50:30
Nikki Mirghafori
Discussion of the sixteen steps; the letting go of each tetrad, and how each one achieves the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. Focus on the first tetrad about the body.
2023-07-05 Morning Reflections #4 38:09
Sayadaw U Jagara
Inspirations and aspirations as objects. The first tetrad: the location and duration of the breath, and relaxing.
2023-07-06 Morning Reflections #5: The Whole Body of the Breath 46:31
Nikki Mirghafori
Reflections on experiencing the whole body of the breath, (step 3), the temporal and spatial dimension in the eight-part breath
2023-07-07 Morning Reflections #6: Similes, the nimitta, rama rupa 49:56
Sayadaw U Jagara
Similes for the experience of touch and contact (step 3): musician practicing an instrument; a person sawing a log; gatekeeper guarding arrivals and departures; an embroiderer threading a needle. Subdivisions of the emergence of the nimitta and nama rupa also presented as the "whole body".
2023-07-08 Morning Reflections #7: Anapanasati (Step 4) 40:47
Nikki Mirghafori
Guided instructions for calming bodily formations
2023-07-08 Talk #4: All of Life in One Breath 47:41
Sayadaw U Jagara
A review of the first tetrad discussing adjusting the mode of observation. For samatha mode, the preliminary signs of breath touch is calmed to a perception of the feint effect of the breathing process.
2023-07-10 Morning Reflections #8: Calming Bodily Formations (Step 4) 35:00
Sayadaw U Jagara
Different perspectives offered for relaxing the bodily fabrications.
2023-07-10 Talk #5: Second Tetrad and Step 5 59:43
Nikki Mirghafori
Overview of the second tetrad, with emphasis on step five (piti); five kinds of piti presented and five jhanic factors as preparation for jhanas and antidotes to hinderances.
2023-07-11 Morning Reflections #9: Piti (Step 5) 40:56
Nikki Mirghafori
Reflections of various renditions of Piti from the Patisambhidamagga. And the natural cascade of arising of piti through the Seven Factors of Awakening, as outlined in the Anapanasati Sutta.
2023-07-12 Morning Reflections #10: Sukka (Step 6) 39:49
Sayadaw U Jagara
Reflections on two sources of sukka: the object and the body. Three signs for the quality of observation for sukkha: sign of effort, sign of samadhi, sign of equanimity. ( AN:3,102)
2023-07-12 Talk #6: The Second Tetrad 50:49
Sayadaw U Jagara
The objctive of the Second Tetrad is discussed in a broad framework - with doctrine readings and humor-filled anecdotes - to inspire us to reflect on our life's objective.
2023-07-13 Morning Reflections #11: Mental Formations (Step 7) 38:26
Nikki Mirghafori
Guided reflections to experience mental formations and knowing the inconstancy of perceptions (sahna or recognition) and feeling tones (vedana)
2023-07-14 Morning Reflections #12: The Four Elements 36:52
Sayadaw U Jagara
Reflections with the four elementsto develop a quality of observation refined by not-self.
2023-07-15 Morning Reflections #13: Calming Formations 40:15
Nikki Mirghafori
Letting go of mental formations by letting sanna (perceptions) and vedana (feeling tones) simply be. Selfing, (as contraction & craving), is distinguished from wholesome subjectivity.
2023-07-17 Morning Reflections #14: Steps 9 & 10 40:13
Sayadaw U Jagara
A guided practice of the steps leading to experiencing the mind (step 9) and g;addening the mind (step10).
2023-07-17 Talk #7: Third Tetrad (Steps 8 & 9) 56:59
Nikki Mirghafori
Overview of the third tetrad, emphasis on the first two steps whith three approaches to experiencing the mind, and a samadhi and insight wasy to gladdening it.
2023-07-18 Morning Reflections #15: Gladdening the Mind (Step 10) 45:21
Nikki Mirghafori
A guided meditation through previous steps up to gladdening the mind with different methods, with insight, awareness of mind, with metta and other serenity practices.
2023-07-19 Morning Reflections #16: Concentrating the Mind (Step 11) 37:54
Sayadaw U Jagara
A guided practice for bringing the participation of all aspects of our lives, physically and mentally. The simile of a symphony conveys the essence of centering and gathering with the conductor's baton bringing together all musicians - Holistic approach.
2023-07-19 Talk #8: Anapanasati & Satipatthana Comparisons (Steps 11 & 12) 46:38
Sayadaw U Jagara
Critical text analysis of how Anapanasati practice fulfills the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Discussion of the samadhi (step 11) and liberating the mind (step 12) from hindrances and self.
2023-07-20 Morning Reflections #17: Concentrating the Mind 44:45
Nikki Mirghafori
A guided practice to center, calm and collect the mind by abiding with clear comprehension and mindfulness, without desire and grief for the world.
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