Introduction to Chapter 4: Opening Reflections, Zoom Link + Course Readings

Welcome to Chapter 4: The Heart of Noting – Practicing Mindfulness

In this chapter, we will continue to explore how the development of Samatha-Vipassana Meditation deepens perception to see the primary elements of experience more clearly. As the Buddha instructed to the disciple, Bahiya, this is a training of seeing “sights as sights,” “sounds as sounds,” “sensations as sensations,” and “thoughts as thoughts.”

In practice, Josh will share a Burmese method of Vipassana Meditation known as the “Mahasi Method,” named after the late monk, Mahasi Sayadaw. In this method, we use the technique of mental noting, or tagging, to sharpen our awareness of moment to moment experience. 

Here are the main Practice Themes in Chapter 4 – The Heart of Taking Note.

    • Training to Recognize Primary Elements of Experience. From a foundation of relaxation and receptivity, we will now take a closer look at what is occurring in the moments that consciousness is fully awake to the present moment. 
    • Noting. Through a gentle but consistent application of the Mahasi Method, we will emphasize supporting a continuity of moment to moment awareness, which is the necessary condition for contemplative insight to arise.
    • Practice + Training. Please continue to commit to daily practice of thirty minutes. For the duration of your work with this chapter, please practice the Samatha-Vipassana Etudes for 30 minutes a day. These etudes can be practiced in Yin Yoga postures or in sitting meditation. Experiment. Be creative. But practice the etudes to the point that you can comfortably practice “free-style” noting for 30 minutes. From there, I would recommend having at least one training session a week dedicated to refining the noting practice. Notice the tone of your inner “noting voice.” Encourage your “noting voice” to be soft, relaxed and consistent. And as the Buddha said just before his death, “Practice with diligence.”
    • LIVE ZOOM Q&A: Please send Josh questions for the upcoming discussion. Email him at josh@joshsummers.net
      Time: Oct 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada); Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82113450047?pwd=dFdtOGFjaHlrbnU1T3B1NWJLaGFBZz09
      Meeting ID: 821 1345 0047 | Passcode: 012216

With metta,

Josh

Course Readings.

Pages 7-18; pages 53-65 of Mindfulness Manual: Mindfulness Manual

Bahiya Sutta and short study notes: Bahiya Sutta Guide

 Pages 2-15 of Basic Vipassana Instructions Mahasi Vipassana Exercises