• Finding more fuel (directing your senses)
• Increasing the heat (dwelling on and enhancing emotions)
• Self-identification and attachment (I am the one who wants or doesn’t want).

From which of these three can you start withdrawing energy? What happens to this state?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

What is your relationship to concentration from a meditative perspective? How do you cultivate it in daily meditation practice? What is the right amount and quality of effort? Are states of concentration the end goal, or are they a means to an end? What is the real purpose of concentration?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Alan Smith.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deborah Slivinsky.

Cultivate concentration this week by first preparing the “soil.” Notice the presence of the hindrances and work with them or through them. Once the hindrances recede, cultivate concentration through relaxation and reception instead of striving and pushing. Focus on the clear seeing that concentration allows, staying the course through the waves of resistance. In a direct, immediate way, see something that reorders you and your life.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Alan Smith.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Alan Smith.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Alan Smith.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

Forgiveness for Oneself: There are many ways that I have hurt and harmed myself. I have betrayed myself, knowingly and unknowingly, in thoughts, words, and deeds. For the many ways my fear, pain, anger, and confusion has caused me harm, as best I am able, I extend a full and heartfelt forgiveness. I forgive myself.

Forgiveness from others: Just as I have caused harm to myself, there are many ways that I have hurt and harmed others. I may have, knowingly and unknowingly, caused them harm by my thoughts, words, and deeds. If out of my fear, pain, anger, and confusion, I have caused you any harm, I ask for your forgiveness. As best you’re able, please forgive me.

Forgiveness for those who have hurt or harmed you: There are also many ways that I have been hurt and harmed by others. I may have been harmed, knowingly and unknowingly, by another’s thoughts, words, and deeds. I remember the ways others, out of their fear, pain, anger, and confusion, have harmed me. I believe I have carried this pain in my heart long enough. As best I am able, I offer my heartfelt forgiveness to all those who have caused me harm. I forgive you.

Bowing practice: Namo Kuan Shr Yin Pu Sa (Homage to Kuan Yin Bodhisattva Who Listens to the Cries of the World)

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

Reflection and Practice

Reflect on the three Wise Actions: non-killing, non-stealing, and non-sexual harming. When we find ourselves pushing against Wise Action, turn toward the suffering that is driving that impulse. Can the source of that suffering be met with compassion and understanding? Does this open-up room for Wise Action to emerge?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Dev Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

Reflection and Practice

Reflect on what is most alive for you in your Dharma practice. What naturally has a level of engagement, curiosity and interest? Form that into an intention that becomes a link to your actions. Keep it simple and accessible. This is Wise Intention reinterpreted so it’s relevant to your life.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deborah Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

Reflection and Practice

Start to notice the link between your intentions and actions. When contemplating an action, inquire about what intention is driving it. What view is shaping the intention? Cultivate the three wholesome intentions of non-harm, non-ill will, and renunciation. Be compassionate with the times your intention is unwholesome and explore the view behind those intentions.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

Reflection and Practice

Reflect on “view” as the underlying assumptions and framing of reality that shapes our perspectives and actions. Trace back from actions (including thought) to sense what view was driving that action. When is that view wise or unwise? Which leads to suffering? Which leads to freedom?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Deb Slivinsky.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

Reflection and Practice

Hold these simple questions in mind as you practice: How can I act from wisdom and compassion? How is my own delusion and ignorance distorting the way I see myself and the world? What is the nature of this sense of self?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

Reflection and Practice

This week, practice with the phrase: “Cling to nothing as I, me or mine.” Understand the process of “clinging” as the process of “selfing”. Reframe the origin of dukkha as clinging. What arises when you release clinging?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer LJ Yang.

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Reflection and Practice

Become curious about the actual experience of tanha (thirst, hunger, desire). Relax the need to act on the thirst, and notice it in the body and emotions. See if you can see this process when wanting to be a certain type of person, or not wanting to be another type. Recognize this as tanha.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

Slides presented during this talk are available on Google Slides.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

Reflection and Practice

Start to use the experience of suffering as a cue to pause and pay attention. What is this state like? Where exactly is the rub? How much is unavoidable pain? How much is optional based on my assumptions, reactions and conditioning? How can I tell the difference? What role does compassion have?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

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This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

Reflection and Practice

Pick one of the paramis to explore: Generosity, Ethics, Renunciation, Wisdom, Energy, Patience, Truthfulness, Resolve, Lovingkindness, Equanimity. Can you see any distortions that arise from trying to adopt this parami, such as projecting a false self-image? How do mindfulness, investigation, and wise view support seeing and understanding?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott. 

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan. 

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Reflection and Practice

This week, reflect on each of the ten paramis as a whole: Generosity, Ethics, Renunciation, Wisdom, Energy, Patience, Truthfulness, Resolve, Lovingkindness, Equanimity. How do they work together in your life? Which ones seem less developed in your practice? What is the effect of that imbalance?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott. 

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan. 

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott.

Audio includes clicks and other noise due to technical problems during recording.

Reflection and Practice

Practice with this Equanimity phrase both in meditation and daily life: All beings are the owners of their karma. Their happiness or unhappiness depends upon their actions and not upon my wishes for them. How does this inform lovingkindness, compassion and sympathetic joy? Can those qualities be present at the same time as equanimity?

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews. 

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Nikhil Natarajan.

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer John Stott. 

This recording was edited and prepared for publication by volunteer Jim Matthews.

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