21 excerpts, 1:25:58 total duration
4. “I’m working/practicing at staying composed and equanimous. As meditation deepens, I find some challenging emotions arise. I’m avoiding look at its story so I can focus on the reactions in the body to whatever that story may be. I’ve noticed that the reactions in the body are identical to the sensations climbing the hill behind the meditation hall. So I imagine that I’m outside climbing the hill and feel the heart rate rise, heat, tension when falling off-balance, etc. This is a much easier place to let go of the sensations because it cools any fears that may arise with the original story. Is this okay to do or should I face the demon in his own costume instead of one I’ve made for it?” Answered by Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia. [Equanimity] [Emotion] [Mindfulness of body] [Visualization] // [Perception] [Aversion]
Reflection: The hindrances come into play as a remedy for a situation that is already difficult. [Hindrances ] [Benefit/gratification] [Drawbacks]
8. “Could the summary of this week’s rich teachings be represented graphically? For some people, it is helpful to see the flow of a process visually, including all the players, interactions, and scenarios. There are so many details in the chain of events that it’s easy to miss one.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Teaching Dhamma] [Learning] [Visualization]
23. “In Vajrayāna you visualize a column of light and going out the top of your head in preparation for death. Is there a related practice in this tradition?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Vajrayāna] [Visualization] [Recollection/Death] [Theravāda] [Death] // [Tranquility] [Mindfulness]
Reference: “Our Real Home” in Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 145.
3. “Is mindfulness of the body fabricating a wholesome mental image of the body as opposed to an unwholesome image? But how can we know the body in any way other than vedanā?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Mindfulness of body] [Visualization] [Feeling] // [S. N. Goenka] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Postures] [Clear comprehension] [Right Mindfulness] [Calming meditation] [Insight meditation] [Delusion] [Characteristics of existence]
Quote: “The availability of insight is through stepping back from the assumptions that we make, whether it’s around the body or feeling or mind or the sense of self.” [Relinquishment]
6. Comment: When I go through the list [of the 32 parts], I separate the object from my body and envision my body with it absent. [Visualization] [Unattractiveness]
Response by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Chah] [Not-self] [Sensual desire] [Calming meditation] [Sloth and torpor]
4. “During the meditation, is it appropriate to envision the stomach itself with undigested food?” (The stomach isn’t listed in the 32 parts.) Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Visualization] [Food] [Unattractiveness]
7. Ajahn Sucitto speaks of feeling water washing through you [as a way of releasing tension related to effort]. Comment by Debbie Stamp. [Ajahn Sucitto] [Elements] [Right Effort]
Story: Khun Kesari’s brother enters concentration by visualizing drinking a glass of water. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Concentration] [Visualization]
Story: Kesari’s mother walked into Wat Ban Tad before there was a road. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Ban Tat] [Relics]
11. “In addition to being aware of our body, is it acceptable to use visual imagery? For example, seeing oneself standing by the ocean breathing in air created by the waves.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of body] [Visualization] [Mindfulness of breathing] // [Skillful qualities] [Ajahn Pasanno]
Story: A Thai man visualizes drinking a glass of water to enter jhāna. [Visualization] [Concentration] [Jhāna]