Using the body's sensitivity we can notice what stabilizes and gladdens the citta, that moment the Buddha touches our heart. How can our practice continue this? Ajahn recommends cultivating sampajañña - fully and directly knowing what’s happening - and describes its four qualities.
04:57 Q1 How to work with jealousy at others’ good fortune. 21:15 Q2 Living through old age, sickness and death is really highlighting my dread of being unreasonable and fitting in with family. What to do? 23:33 Q3 How can we use grief after the loss of a loved one? 27:36 Q4 Two similar questions: (a) I have experienced a loss of direction and feel no zest for living and insecurity overwhelms me. (b) Angry thoughts / emotional intensity lead to self admonishment. What can I do? 32:25 Q5 Can you expand your ideas about the connections between citta and cetena. 37:37 Q6 What is meant by the unconditioned? 42:56 Q7 What are the kasinas? 46:24 Q8 Can you speak about hiriottappa?
04:57 Q1 How to work with jealousy at others’ good fortune. 21:15 Q2 Living through old age, sickness and death is really highlighting my dread of being unreasonable and fitting in with familyWhat to do? 23:33 Q3 How can we use grief after the loss of a loved one? 27:36 Q4 Two similar questions: (a) I have experienced a loss of direction and feel no zest for living and insecurity overwhelms me. (b) Angry thoughts / emotional intensity lead to self admonishment. What can I do?
Developing an awareness of mind states and their bodily feelings brings an understanding of the mental and energy bodies, a freedom from the prison of the self and a transformed “doing” energy.
A combined talk, examining how chanting contributes to external and internal practice, and guided meditation (at 12:15) addressing the framing of the body.
Contemplating citta reveals how its external manifestations are formed – in speech and behaviours from its internal moods and feelings that overwhelm. Taking refuge internally through embodiment supports the contemplation leading to liberation.
01:32 Where can I get a print copy of your book Breathing Like a Buddha? (also PDF here: https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/27/Breathing-Like-a-Buddha-Web.pdf); 02:24 How can I contribute some dana to you? (also see here: https://www.cittaviveka.org/online-donations and navigate to Chithurst); 04:04 When you speak of the energy body, is that the embodied sense of self? 06:35 What did you mean when you said “The space within and without the body where mental formations form”? 11:33 Could you speak about the phrases the Buddha uses in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta? 13:12 What causes unskilful behaviour or though to arise and to stop? 20:28 How can I work for the benefit for other people without being fearful of making mistakes and hurting others? 22:42 How can I turn the mind from outside to inside with other people around? 27:51 I experience constant internal discussions, comments and judgements about past events. What do I do with this sense of self? 34:02 How do I follow Ajahn’s suggestion to make resolution and intention without getting into goal-seeking on the other hand?
