Ajahn Sucitto's most recent Dharma talks (Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Cittaviveka) Investigate feeling as an energy rather than as content. Refer to that which is affected, the heart itself. It’s up to us to apply energy, investigate, turn the mind around, turn the heart, get it to see clearly. Use body to stabilize and simplify content, and the concoction of thought dissipates. This is release; the heart becomes unrestricted.

(Cittaviveka) Aspiration connects to the very fundamental wish of the heart, and acts as the basis for energy. What does the heart really rise up for? Rather than just getting by in life, where is the sense of purpose and meaning that brings forth the best in us? All of our actions and words should proceed from that place of faith. Body helps ground and moderate that energy.

(Cittaviveka) The one thing we can train in and recollect is that we can aspire. No other creature aspires. We are born with desire, and if we don’t use it for aspiration it leaks out into sensuality and thinking. Then the mind loses its alertness. One of the most fundamental things we aspire to is a different alignment. Finding a place to stand which is true, empowering, dignified, blameless – a refuge. This is how you stand apart from the worldly currents, and live in the quality of good intent.

(Cittaviveka) Honouring and offering creates the atmosphere; recalling the purpose of the event/ the moment; using the significance of the location and time; cultivating aspiration

(Cittaviveka) Noticing and reclaiming Pali phoneme differences from English and Thai; the effect of English and Thai language particularities; rhythm and consonant length

(Cittaviveka) Mouth closure sounds that terminate a vowel

(Cittaviveka) Outline of an approach to chanting as a practice; vowels

(Bandar Utama Buddhist Society) When your heart becomes buried under thought, or you can’t manage what’s happening in the heart, then you need your body to bring you back. Body provides the steadying effect that allows the heart to come out. The other approach is through kindness, the ability to maintain presence, pausing and lingering whilst waiting for the heart’s response. This is how we begin to put aside the reactions and compulsiveness, and find our way out of the tangled web of confusion and distraction.

(Bandar Utama Buddhist Society) 00:06 Mind in body or body in mind; 01:31 Citta voice and thinking mind voice – how to bring them together; 03:12 Mind storm leads to confusion, compulsive thoughts; 05:51 Sleeplessness, especially accompanied with anxiety; 08:02 how to ensure qualities like love are not coming from self-centeredness or craving; 11:09 Fear around upcoming surgery; 13:34 Losing the balance of mind when overcome with pain; 20:22 Others means of practice in addition to meditation; 21:59 Practicing meditation with the aim of attaining jhānas; 27:04 Getting a sense of pīti during meditation; 34:55 If there's no self who inherits the karmic residues from past lives; 36:51 discernment vs judgment.

(Bandar Utama Buddhist Society) Wherever you are, you’re always present. We tend to focus on what we’re present with, the sights and sounds, but what’s the capacity to be present with them? Remove the fear, agitation, craving, imagined hostility of other people – these block presence. Presence is a certain stability, freedom from regret and agitation, goodwill towards myself and others. This is the most peaceful abiding.