Mindfulness in the mainstream world and what brings us to practice

The First Foundation of Mindfulness of the Body

The four wise efforts are explored as a path to freedom with the hindrances. Several practices are offered for each effort, with particular emphasis given to abandoning unwholesome states that have arisen, through a relationship of non-clinging. The talk concludes with reference to Indigenous Elder Stan Rushworth and the thought that working with the hindrances shows us a way of showing up in a sacred way in the world.

Vedana is explored as a significant freedom moment which can help us see clinging.

The story of turning into the skid to grow in wisdom and the journey of the Buddha's awakening

The image of a bird flying is offered as a way of bringing together the big picture of the Satipatthana Sutta teachings, with the three characteristics as the environment the bird is flying in. The three characteristics are then situated in the refrain of the Satipatthana Sutta, which is seen as a practice from nature, to reveal our inner nature. This teaching is applied to our lives through exploring how to work with self judgement. The talk ends exploring this practice in the world, for the benefit of all beings.

Instructions and Guided Meditation in Open Awareness as a practice we do naturally, when we spend time connecting with nature externally.