Introducing the fourth tetrad of mindfulness of breathing and the contemplation of impermanence. Through close attention to the changing nature of breath, sensation, and everyday experience, we can move from an intellectual understanding of impermanence toward a more direct knowing that supports letting go, presence, and freedom.

We begin by reviewing briefly last week's session, including how contemporary practice can expand the traditional focus on ignorance to include contemporary psychological and social perspectives on further dimensions of ignorance, including our initially unconscious social conditioning. We look again briefly at how the Buddha related both to caste and to women's roles in the sangha, and the basic of social conditioning, including how this is related to "in-groups," "out-groups," and "implicit bias." Most of the talk is devoted to suggesting the basic ways that we can explore and transform social conditioning. We focus on the main supports for such practice, including working with groups and guidelines, knowing the history of a particular form of conditoning (we give the examples of gender and race), using different forms of inquiry, mindfulness in meditation and daily life (including being mindful of the judgmental mind, anger, sadness, shame, etc.), the heart practices (including the importance of self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and joy), and other practices, such as involving ritual. The talk is followed by discussion.

An exploration of samādhi as a gathering of body, heart, and mind into wholeness. The talk considers how mindfulness, contentment, joy, and letting go support this natural settling, and how the steadiness and clarity of samādhi provide a foundation for insight and deeper freedom.

Exploring the second tetrad of mindfulness of breathing, with its movement from quiet joy and contentment toward experiencing and calming mental activity. The talk considers how recognizing and cultivating subtle sources of nourishment can support steadiness, reduce reactivity, and help us meet difficult experiences with greater ease.

Exploring the first four steps of mindfulness of breathing: knowing the breath, experiencing the whole body, and inviting the body to calm. The talk emphasizes finding a sustainable balance of energy and relaxation, supported by interest, patience, friendliness, and trust in the unfolding of practice.

As we being to reflect on the joy of seclusion, we turn inwards for mental seclusion using Mindfulness of Breathing.