We begin by reviewing some and expanding last week's introduction to practicing to transform the judgmental mind, including clarifying our language and the way that in English "judgment" can ambiguously mean either an expression of the judgmental mind or a non-judgmental discernment. We identify examples of the judgmental mind, and point to how it can be understood in terms of the sequence of contact to grasping (and pushing away) in the Buddha's teaching on Dependent Origination, how negative judgments (in the sense of the judgmental mind) typically come out of unacknowledged or unprocessed pain. We also point to how our practice with the judgmental mind, as it goes deeper, begins to identify "limiting beliefs," often from childhood, that generate our most chronic judgments. We end the talk with naming a number of ways to practice with the judgmental mind. The talk is followed with discussion.

We frame the session in terms of there being three main inter-related aims of our practice: (1) developing wisdom and insight, (2) cultivating the kind heart and compassion, and (3) acting skillfully and ethically in all the parts of our life. In this context, it's interesting that having insight can still be connected with reactivity; it's possible to be both "right" and see something clearly, and be obnoxious. We look at one major way in which insight can be enmeshed with reactivity--what I call "the judgmental mind." We first clarify how "judgment" in English is ambiguous, sometimes meaning judgmental, sometimes meaning discerning without reactivity. The judgmental mind combines typically some kind of noticing, insight, observation, etc. with reactivity, and the key to transforming the judgmental mind is to work through the reactivity, using multiple tools. The last part of the talk outlines our major tools for transforming the judgmental mind, and invites next week's practice. We then have a discussion.

This guided meditation, originally created by Joseph Goldstein, shifts the subject of attention from objects to the awareness that knows.

Teaching and practice on awareness of awareness.

This guided meditation, originally created by Joseph Goldstein, shifts the subject of attention from objects to the awareness that knows.

2-hour practice period ('module'); includes instruction and guided and silent practice. One of four modules each day on the daily retreat theme, with Howard Cohn, Leslie Booker or Genevieve Tregor. (Howie offers his 'big mind' meditation in this module!)

A short overview of Satipatthana practice including choiceless awareness, followed by a guided big mind meditation with singing bowls.

Offering presence, offering support to our gathering includes both hard work and joyful activities. We preserve skilful states of mind by remembering the big picture - supporting an oasis of trust, peace and virtue.

A guided practice on open awareness and the nature of the mind.

Exploring Open awareness, nature of awareness in this 'Big Mind' meditation