Understanding The Four Elements

This talk is the last focused on the First Foundation of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse (Satipatthana Sutta), Mindfulness of the Body (Kayanupassana).   The Four Elements and the Nine Charnel Grounds Contemplations were read and discussed.  Peter provided a brief introductory meditation to facilitate using Earth, Air, Fire and Water as subjective contemplations, followed by discussion.  The talk then shifted to the Charnel Grounds Contemplations–Peter suggested these have no contemporary relevance, so the discussion then focused on how one can currently contemplate mortality in ways to motivate bringing mindfulness practices into one’s daily life routine.

Here are the notes prepared for this discussion:  Understanding The Four Elements

Next week’s discussion will begin a review of the Second Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Feelings, (Vedanupassana).

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Understanding Mindfulness Of Breathing

This is the second in an extensive series of talks investigating the Satipatthana Sutta, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse.  Tonight’s focus is on the First Foundation, Mindfulness of the Body, specifically Mindfulness of Breathing meditation.  Peter went through the stanzas focused on that core practice to illuminate the meaning and application of each part.  The importance of the four applications of “diligence, clear awareness, mindfulness and setting aside covetousness and grief for the world” to realize the benefits of the practice was emphasized.

This was followed by discussion to clarify the terms and practice.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Understanding Mindfulness of Breathing

Next week’s talk will focus on the next two topics of the First Foundation regarding posture and of clear comprehension.

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Concentration And Insight

During this first of a series of talks exploring the Satipatthana Sutta, Peter talked of the mutually supportive functions of samadhi (concentration) and vipassana (insight).  This was followed by a lively discussion regarding how different meditators cultivate these qualities, both during formal meditation and normal daily routines.

Mindfulness of the Body

Judy continued her exploration of the Mindfulness of the Body section of the Satipatthana Sutta, the foundational Sutta for the practice of insight meditation in all it various forms throughout the world.  She explored how the various Vipassana schools  used the sections on body parts and body elements as the locus of their practices and how these meditations can be used to overcome anger, conceit, desire, and aversion. She concentrated on the use of the body sweep as an insight and purification  practice. This dialogue was designed to expand the practitioner’s “tool kit” of meditation skills beyond breath exercises alone.

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Mindfulness of the Body

During this dialogue, Judy reviewed kayanupassana, mindfulness of the body, from the Satipatthana Sutta, which is usually translated as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.  She explained that the “body” referred to is the aggregation of all the parts of the body, including the senses and breath awareness–in Pali, kaya can apply to a group of people, a bunch of bananas, etc.  She placed emphasis on the aspect of kayanupassana called satisampajjhana, which can be translated as mindfulness/clear comprehension of how the body moves during the experience of moving, that is, while standing, walking, eating, reaching, etc.  Additionally, the value of awareness of a worthy goal, suitable means for achieving the goal, the field of awareness that’s applied to maintain the suitable means–all in the context of non-greed, non-aversion and wisdom.

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