Luang Pu Dun defines the second noble truth as the mind that goes out to satisfy its moods, and the result that comes from the mind going out to satisfy its moods is suffering, - the first Noble Truth is the result of this! This talk describes how the mind can get lost in thoughts and create suffering.
Upasika Kee talks about finding in meditation an “inward-staying unentangled knowing.” This talk describes what this means in terms of dependent arising and offers three approaches to meditation that specifically aim at this kind of relationship to sense experience.
The Buddha talked often of seven factors that prepare the mind for awakening. Headed by mindfulness, the factors are balanced between energizing and calming states. This talk discusses each of the factors, how they are developed, and how to balance them.
Metta, or loving kindness can develop to a powerful force in out hearts and minds. We only need to start where we are, feeding non-hatred in our minds rather than putting our trust in the habits of fear and ill will.
There are four primal difficult emotions that come often in meditation and daily life: grief, anger, desire and fear. When we learn to relate skillfully to these emotions as they appear, there can be a great increase in the sense of freedom and ease in our life and practice.
The Buddha said that we should be mindful in all four postures – sitting, walking, standing and lying down. We talk a lot about sitting meditation, some about walking and very little about the other two. This session is a guided meditation on standing meditation. Standing can be used as a practice in itself, or as a way to balance energy, especially sleepiness.