Audio Downloads & Resources for Thanisarro Bhikkhu's June 2010 Saskatchewan Retreat on "The Ten Perfections"

Introduction: The paramis -- "perfections" or "qualities of foremost importance" -- are a list of qualities of heart and mind needed for Awakening. They also form an excellent framework for understanding how to incorporate Dharma practice into daily life. There are ten qualities in the list: generosity, virtue, renunciation, discernment, persistence, endurance, truth, determination, good will, and equanimity. This weekend course -- through talks, readings, discussion, and meditation -- explored ways in which these qualities can be fostered and applied to everyday decisions so as to bring meaning and purpose to the direction of our lives.

Time & Location	June 25-27, 2010 at the Albert Community Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Reading Material	Discussions centered around a set of readings from the Pali Canon and modern masters in the Thai Forest Tradition. Those particularly interested in the readings and interested in supplemental material in the same theme may also wish to refer to the expanded Ten Perfections Study Guide, which contains a broader set of readings on the same topic.
Audio (.mp3) Files	June 25 Pre-Retreat Evening Guided Meditation Pre-Retreat Evening Dhamma talk Pre-Retreat Evening Q & A June 26 Introduction of Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Ajaan Geoff) AM Guided Meditation AM Lecture Q & A Early PM Guided Meditation Early PM Lecture Q & A Late PM Lecture Q & A June 27 AM Lecture Q & A Early PM Comments on Dana and Dana Talks Early PM Lecture Q & A Early PM Meditation Late PM Lecture Q & A Late PM Post-Lecture Discussion on Future Visit Entire Retreat Archive (zip) file of all retreat sessions and readings
Additional Resources	This section offers a variety of resources related to retreat content, particularly as shaped by participant requests. The links here are by no means meant to be exhaustive; it primarily reflects material that some practioners have found helpful for better understanding retreat content. Much additional relevant material can be found elsewhere on this site, and on Access to Insight. Resources on meditation Essay "The Joy of Effort" on the importance of viewing meditation as a skill to be mastered Talk "Meditation is not Mechanical" Essay "The Agendas of Mindfulness" Meditation in Ajaan Lee's books. Thanissaro Bhikkhu suggested that practitioners interested in further information on Ajaan Lee's meditation techniques refer to the following books: "Keeping the Breath in Mind" "The Skill of Release" "Inner Strength" Discussion of Jhanas and their Role in the Path From "Wings to Awakening" "Jhana Not by the Numbers" Sutta Passage mentioned (Jhanas as dependable source of pleasure & strength) Relationship between Insight and Concentration/Jhana Some helpful principles for meditation practice These talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu are also a good starting point The "Breath Meditation" section of the "Starter Sets" collection Many other talks can be found elsewhere on this site, such as in the "Basics Collection", in the "Breath Meditation" section of the Starter Sets, and in the "Meditations" book series (Meditations, Meditations2, Meditations3, Meditations4). Pleasure & Pain "Middle way" of using them as tools on the path (rather than as something inherently to be sought or avoided) The book "Straight from the Heart" by Ajaan Maha-Boowa that was mentioned by Ajaan Geoff, particularly with respect to pain An additional article by Ajaan Geoff on pain The "Pain" section of the "Starter Sets" collection Talk "Insight into Pain" Attitude Towards Mistakes A Craftsperson-like Attitude towards Mistakes Faith Faith in Awakening (from Purity of Heart), which comments on the "Elephant Hunter" analogy from the Sutta that was discussed in the retreat. Karma & Rebirth (Edited Transcript) Precepts "The Healing Power of the Precepts" "The Four Precepts" Restraint of the Senses The following comment on the importance of restraint of the senses for practice, as a way of shifting the "feeding habits" of the mind from external equivalents of "junk food" to healthier and more dependable sources of internal sustenance. "A Culture of Restraint" "The Skill of Restraint" "The Weight of Mountains" "New Feeding Habits" Samsara Discussion of Samsara as a process Metta Meditation & the Brahma Viharas Essay "Head & Heart Together: Bringing Wisdom to the Brahmaviharas" 2009 Saskatoon retreat content related to Metta Meditation/the Sublime Abidings (Brahma Viharas) and their role in the path Other Relevant Material Some other Dhamma talks relevant to topics that came up during the retreat (including breath meditation, digging out of dispair, dealing with pain, brahmaviharas)
Sponsor	Saskatchewan Kammatthana
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