Restlessness and Worry
This recording describes the 4th of the 5 Hindrances, Restlessness and Worry. The discussion describes the results of too much energy in the mind and how this interferes with clearly knowing the true nature of the mind.
Seven Awakening Factors Overview June 3, 2020
This talk is the first of several reviews of Sattasambojjangha, (sah-tah-sahm-bow-jahn-gah), the Seven Awakening Factors. The factors are mindfulness, investigation of mental phenomena, energy/effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity. Each of these factors will be reviewed individually over the course of several weeks. During the talk, Peter emphasized the integrative characteristics of the factors, as the cultivation of each supports the unification and capabilities of all the factors in supporting, first, the setting aside of the Five Hindrances and second, realizing the direct experience of impermanence, dukkha and non-self aspects of subjective reality. After the review, there was discussion among the participants to clarify and expand on the concepts.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: SATTASAMBOJJHANGA
Next week will be a review of mindfulness as an Awakening factor.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:28 — 125.4MB)
Guided Investigation Awakening Factor Meditation
Dhamma Vicaya (dah-mah vih-chah-yah) is the second of the Seven Awakening Factors, and I prefer to interpret the Pali to mean Investigation of Mental Phenomena. It functions closely with the Mindfulness and Energy Awakening Factors. During the training meditation, I suggest that intentionally aiming attention to evident sensations at the beginning of the in-breath and sustaining attention for the duration of the in-breath, then repeating this for the out-breath begins the process of maturing attention towards dhamma vicaya. Once attention to the breathing cycle becomes more routine, it is suggested that one “look closer” at an aspect of breath sensation that was more evident to increase the power of insight. It is also emphasized that dhamma vicaya isn’t really about the breath sensations specifically, but rather noticing with clarity and detachment how the mind creates a meaningful self in relationship to the sensations.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:00 — 82.4MB)
Guided Awakening With Joy Meditation
This meditation focuses on the fourth of the seven Awakening Factors, Piti, often translated as joy or rapture; I prefer to use the term enthusiastic interest. Joy becomes more apparent and useful with the support of the first three factors, mindfulness, investigation and energy/Right Effort, so these factors are encouraged for practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. It is suggested to be alert for differences in consciousness between the heaviness of sloth and torpor and the buoyancy of simple breath awareness; this buoyancy is piti, and it becomes more recognizable as the hindrances are set aside. Several supportive suggestions for contemplation are mentioned during the meditation. The intention of this guided meditation is to enhance the understanding and application of the Joy Awakening Factor in the accompanying talk, Awakening With Joy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
Guided Equanimity Contemplation
This guided meditation focuses on cultivating upekkha (ooh-peh-kah), equanimity regarding one’s subjective experience. This quality of consciousness is frequently identified in Buddhist teachings: one of the Seven Awakening Factors, one of the Four Diving Abidings, one of the Ten Perfections, and the primary characteristic of the Fourth Jhana. During the meditation attention is established on mindfulness of breathing, with associations stated between prolonged breath awareness, concentration, tranquility and equanimity. The meditation student is invited to investigate mindfully the quality of consciousness to determine whether the mind is too excited or too sedated, too identified with what is in awareness, or if attention is too dispersed and distracted. Right Effort is brought to mind to find an equanimous balance between extremes of energy and identification, cultivating a “middle way”, suitable for the process of Awakening.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)