Introduction to Chapter 7 – Reflections + Course Readings

Welcome to Chapter 7 in the Heart of Wisdom – Knowing Karma, Practicing Wisdom

In this chapter, we move more deeply into the inter-relationships that develop within our contemplative practice, namely the inter-relationship between stillness, karma and wisdom.

In learning to recognize and rest within the “always, already” stillness of awake awareness, we embrace conditions as they arise, appear, and fade within our experience. From the direct encounter with the conditions of our experience, we develop new ways of seeing and understanding the nature of ourselves and others. Specifically, we come to a direct perception of conditionality – possibly the most important thing that the Buddha taught. The truth of conditionality reveals that all things are conditioned by other things: nothing arises independently of the causes and conditions that support that experience. We will never understand ALL the past causes and conditions that cause that something to arise, but we can get a better feel for the fact that conditionality is “the way it is” and that nothing possesses an essential, independent nature.

Here are the main Practice Themes in Chapter 7- Knowing Karma, Practicing Wisdom:

• • Stillness. So far, we’ve explored many approaches to cultivating Samatha-Vipassana Meditation. In this chapter, we will explore the “always, already” stillness of awareness. A simple practice of ‘just listening’ (the essence of Yin Meditation) is what I’ll recommend for this chapter. See the course reading from Ajahn Amaro on practicing with the “sound of silence.”
  • Karma. From pure listening, we create the space within which the conditions of our lives reveal themselves. In becoming more familiar with these conditions – through kindness, gentleness and receptivity – we foster a process of understanding and growth.
  • Wisdom. In opening to the conditions of our lives, we bring consciousness to the patterns that support peace and also to the patterns that generate unnecessary conflict. Transforming these patterns of conflict is the heart-path of the Buddha’s 8-fold Path and 4 Noble Truths, which we’ll look at in greater depth.
  • Practice. Continue to work with any of the tools of meditation we’ve explored so far, but try out the approach described by Ajahn Amaro’s article “The Sound of Silence.” This is a practice that I have found particularly helpful for resting in the natural stillness of awareness. 
  • Journal. Please continue to reflect on your meditation sittings and spend some time journaling about what you remember from them. Pay special attention to experiences of conflict (personal, interpersonal) and consider how the dharma can be found in the reality of your own direct experience.
  • Note. In the talks, I mention some resources – these will be curated and included in Chapter 9. These will include some workshops and podcast interviews that address the core themes of this course.

I hope you enjoy the practice and that it brings you much peace, clarity and understanding. 

With metta

Josh

Course Readings.

Pages 9-11, of Noble Strategy, Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s essay “Karma”   Noble Strategy

Article “The Sound of Silence” by Ajahn Amaro The Sound of Silence