Awakening Factors During A Retreat

During this talk, Peter reviewed his self-retreat from May 9-22.  The experience was related to the previous discussions about the Anapanasati Sutta (the discourse on mindfulness of breathing), and to the sorts of experiences that might arise during an intensive retreat.  He specifically associated the cultivation of the the seven awakening factors–mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/effort, joy/interest, tranquility, concentration and equanimity–to the experiences during the retreat.  This was followed by discussion among those present to clarify some of what was described.

Next week, the topical theme will change significantly.  Since Peter has been a psychotherapist nearly as long as he’s practiced and taught mindfulness, there will be discussions about stress in this culture, producing anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, relationship discord from a Buddhist perspective, with suggestions about how Buddhism may be useful in  providing relief from the stress.

Four Tetrads And Four Foundations Talk

This recording follows the Guided Four Tetrads And Four Foundations Meditation recording posted just prior to this posting.  During the talk, Peter reviewed the 16 stanzas/four tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta, explaining that the first three tetrads focus on the cultivation of samadhi/passadhi (concentration and tranquility), primarily through using the first and second foundations of mindfulness (mindfulness of the breath/body and mindfulness of feelings) to set aside the five hindrances to samadhi/passadhi.  The fourth tetrad involves the cultivation of vipassana, that is, the direct knowledge of impermanence, which, along with samadhi/passadhi, develops dispassion, liberation from craving/clinging and letting go of the misperception of a secure, enduring self.

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Guided Four Tetrads And Four Foundations Meditation

This is the second of two training meditations, presented with the intention to nurture the integration of the 16 stanzas of the Anapanasati Sutta (mindfulness of breathing discourse) with the Satipatthana Sutta (four foundations of mindfulness discourse.  The first recording associated the first two tetrads of the four with the first two foundations of mindfulness, and this completes the covering of the process.

This post will be followed with the talk that occurred after the meditation.

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Mindful Breath Body And Feelings

This posting is a recording of the dhamma dialogue following a guided meditation associated with coordinating the first two tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta with mindfulness of the body and mindfulness of feelings.  This integrative process increases physical relaxation and diminishes the normal chatter of the mind, preparing for the practice of vipassana, insight into the impermanence of subjective experience.  The practice of vipassana will be a major focus of the guided meditation and discussion next Wednesday night: the third and fourth tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta and the third and fourth foundations of mindfulness, of the mind and mental phenomena.

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