This talk explores the benefits of the Parami of renunciation, which is the ability to disregard any self-state organization that interferes with the process of liberation from distress and confusion.  Peter quoted excerpts from an article that describes different applications of renunciation: from physical phenomena, from mental formations and from craving and clinging.  The practice of noting what has distracted attention from breath awareness, then renouncing the distraction to redirect attention back to the breath was described as the fundamental practice of renunciation.  Renunciation is related to detachment from mental phenomena and dispassion regarding mental phenomena, essential capabilities required for liberation.  Peter then described the neurological processes related to renunciation, that is, an enhanced executive function of the prefrontal cortex, which regulates the reactivity generated by the amygdala and nucleus accumbens.  This explanation was followed by discussion of the concept of renunciation by those in the meeting.

Here are the notes prepared for this discussion:  THE BENEFITS OF RENUNCIATION

Next week’s meeting will involve exercises related to the practice of renunciation.

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