Cultivation of the brahmavihāras is based upon generating perceptions and felt senses through various bases. This guided meditation refers to the bodily and mental bases, in addition to primary sympathy – anukampa – as the underlying basis, to bring these boundless qualities into fullness. They then can serve as soothing orientations within the tribulations of this human realm.
Taking time to acknowledge and celebrate what has been achieved on this retreat, plus an exploration of the spirit of generosity in terms of three levels: the gift of material things, the gift of fearlessnes, and the gift of dharma
There is always a little more we can see, and a little more we can learn; especially about how our way of looking is shaping what we see. There is always a way of looking shaping our view, there is no neutral mode, so we don't ever see the world passively. Understanding this brings a deepening understanding of liberation.
How does one maintain one’s center in the world? What are the 8 worldly “winds” and how to relate to them? What do we ask forgiveness for from Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha in evening chanting? How to balance energy between personal practice and moral duty to respond to suffering in the world?
Practicing for release follows the trajectory of knowing (ñāṇa) and culminates in realization (aññā). We review the aggregates with dispassion, recognizing their causal basis, and stop taking them to be self. Devotional practices support the shift from self-consciousness to trackless consciousness where self, other, future, past are no longer concocted. This is the turning towards the deathless.
