Clear Comprehension of Body Postures

In the First Foundation of Mindfulness there is a section focusing on postural awareness and mindful movement, which is the focus of this talk.  In addition to reviewing these contemplations, the concept of the Four Clear Comprehensions is reviewed, comparing the traditional practices for renunciates with the related practices available for lay practitioners.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Mindfulness of Body Postures With Full Awareness

The focus for the next talk will review the Third Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Feelings, and will include a review of a core concept within Buddhism, Dependent Origination, which describes how the process of self-organization occurs, along with how mindfulness of feelings can further progress on the path of Awakening.

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Reviewing Mindfulness of the Body

In the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, Mindfulness of the Body is the first of the four foundations.  This talk reviews important elements of this teaching, including mindfulness of breathing meditation, mindfulness while involved in everyday activities and mindfulness of breathing integrated with whole body awareness.  The fundamental value of cultivating mindfulness of the body is that embodied sensory experience is much easier to be persistently and actively aware of than the other three foundations, and this is emphasized during the talk.  There were several references to the guided contemplation focusing on mindfulness of the body that preceded the talk, but the frequent disturbance caused by a significant thunderstorm during the meditation severely disrupted the recording, so it was not posted.

Here are the notes prepared for this course:  Reviewing Mindfulness of the Body

The topic for the next talk is the second foundation of mindfulness, mindfulness of feelings.

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Mindfulness of the Body Adaptations

This talk completes the review of the First Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of the Body.  These remaining categories of the discourse are reviewed: Foulness: The Body Parts, The Four Elements and The Nine Charnel Ground Contemplations.  Each contemplation is reviewed, with critiques as to the relevance of the body parts and charnel ground contemplations in contemporary life experience.  The Four Elements contemplation is more understandable and workable, and is intended to be supported by the posted “Guided Four Elements Contemplation” recording, found in the archive for June 16, 2021.  The review is followed by questions and comments from those attending the Zoom meeting.

Here are the notes prepared for the talk:  MINDFULNESS OF THE BODY ADAPTATIONS

The topic for next week will continue reviewing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, focusing on Mindfulness of Feelings, the Second Foundation of Mindfulness.

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Guided Four Elements Contemplation

This Guided meditation is intended to be associated with the Dharma talk presented on the same evening entitled “Mindfulness of the Body Adaptations”, with focused attention on the Four Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.  These contemplations are included in the First Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of the Body.  During the meditation, suggestions are offered to facilitate direct experiential awareness of these elements.

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Clearly Knowing The Body

This talk continues a review of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, focusing on parts of the First Foundation, known as the Four Postures and the Contemplation of Daily Activities with Full Awareness.  There is further reference to what are called the Four Comprehensions: Worthy Goal, Suitable Means, Domain (the Four Foundations) and Non-Delusions; these are considered to be a spiritual “decision tree” process to be integrated into one’s lifestyle to further liberation from dukkha. The primary reference for these reviews are from two of Analayo’s books, “Satipatthana–Direct Path To Realization” and “Satipatthana Meditation–A Practice Guide”.

Here are the notes for this talk:  Clearly Knowing The Body

The Satipatthana Sutta review for next week will focus further on the First Foundation of Mindfulness, with some modern commentary and practices included.

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