Zen Mind, Winner’s Mind | Aljoscha #1 | 4.7.22

Aljoscha and Dhammarato talk about Zen practice, the Zen stick, gathering the factors for unification of mind (samādhi), the over-concentration on concentration, hard work, and struggle, and the benefits of good practice.

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►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFTStUrUNo

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What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.

00:00 Zen examples of correct practice; who is hit with the zen stick?

05:11 We are not practicing concentration, we’re paying attention 

07:36 Gathering the factors together for flexibility; one by one as they occur

14:31 The skill of being able to catch things as quickly as they are happening

15:24 Four factors become unification of mind: safe, secure, relaxed, without wanting anything

19:17 Sati (remember to look; frequency, intensity, speed), investigate, wholesome right effort, joyful success

31:03 Don’t sit more than 20 minutes

33:22 Leave it at a high note; leave ‘em laughing; giving up retreats

37:21 Goenka method puts students into greed; wanting jhāna is a good way not to have it

39:06 Confidence comes from good evidence; pitisukkha and the noble mind

44:57 The work is sustaining a relaxed state; missing the drop, the dukkha

47:29 Getting stuck in first grade; putting on a struggle show

51:01 Our culture doesn’t support easy; whatever you’re doing, like that

52:48 Fear of not getting enlightened; being a winner; it’s all the noble eightfold path