Culadasa September 2018 Patreon Q&A

Timestamps: 2:05 Is it useful for one to specifically practice awareness of sounds or visual objects in order to strengthen introspective awareness of those senses, or can one obtain the same clarity through body awareness alone? ​ 7:18 What are the differences between feeling and emotion? ​15:38 Working with emotions assignment ​17:21 You define mindfulness as the optimal interplay of awareness & attention. From what I can gather, we usually aim for a majority of 'attention mind-moments' & a fewer (yet consistent) amount of 'awareness mind-moments'. Can you expand on how variable this ratio should ideally be throughout the many circumstances of life? 31:32 Clarification on the definition of mindfulness [Please see this and the previous for Culadasa's updated take on mindfulness] 34:17 1) How accurate is this description of how intention operates? 2) Even though directing attention to the breath sensations is a voluntary action, should we also set a conscious intention to do so, allowing it to become more automatic as we progress? ​ 41:13 What is your opinion on/experience of the different realms and their inhabitants described in buddhist texts ​ 49:00 Tie in with rebirth ​ 01:03:58 What's the line between the skillfulness of diligence (on the one hand) and the hindrance of striving/overefforting (on the other? 01:14:36 Do you feel that a dry insight practice prepares someone for the work of first path? And, is there a difference in the character or depth or intensity of the material which arises for purification on first path as compared to before?​ 01:29:32 What is the best way to work with Piti? To recollect what may have preceded them, as a reminder to practice awareness of the breath, to ignore them, or some other method of utilizing them?​ 01:40:26 Also what do you see as the differences between the body scan techniques & associated intentions that you teach & those taught by U Ba Khin & Goenkaji? Buy Culadasa's books on Amazon: amazon.com/author/culadasa Follow Culadasa on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Culadasa.John.Yates Much more at: culadasa.com/