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• The 2017 BIMS Practice Period -- "Renunciation"
• The 2016 BIMS Practice Period -- "The First Foundation of Mindfulness"
• The 2014 BIMS Practice Period -- "Gladdening the Heart: Freeing the Mind from the Hindrances"
• The 2013 BIMS Practice Period

A practice period is a time to deepen and clarify our practice, both on and off the cushion. Historically, the practice period originated in the rains retreats of the early Buddhist monks and nuns when they could not travel due to heavy rains. During that time, the Sangha lived together for more intensive practice.

A practice period is an opportunity for practitioners to clarify their spiritual intentions, to deepen their understanding of the Buddhist path and to more fully integrate their practice into their daily life. We do this as a Sangha to support and energize each other in our individual practices.

It is important to be realistic about our responsibilities and maintain balance in home, work and spiritual life. From that understanding, participants in a practice period are encouraged to identify a practice intention that will open them up to opportunities and activities beyond their current level of commitment, while keeping in mind what is doable and respects their family, health and work.

You may want to pair with a dharma buddy to connect with and to check in with.

Your commitment could include, but is not limited to...

• beginning a daily practice
• increasing the time that you give to a daily practice
• attending the weekday morning meditations and/or Tuesday and Thursday evening meditations
• working with the Tuesday Dharma talk subjects during the following week
• attending the Saturday Sit-In
• individual (or small group) Dharma study on a topic of your choice
• bringing your spiritual values (such as the 4 Brahma Viharas) into your family or work life
• beginning or continuing a generosity practice

Another idea you could consider: Ajahn Geoff reports that in Southeast Asian communities, lay followers observe eight precepts on the four moon cycle days--new, full, first and last quarter. This site can show you the moon phases.

We are most familiar with the 5 precepts:

1. I undertake the training rule to abstain from taking life.
2. I undertake the training rule to abstain from taking what is not given.
3. I undertake the training rule to abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake the training rule to abstain from false speech.
5. I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented drink that causes heedlessness.

To these can be added these three on the significant moon days ('called Uposatha days):

6. I undertake to abstain from eating at the wrong time (the right time is after sunrise, before noon).
7. I undertake to abstain from singing, dancing, playing music, attending entertainment performances, wearing perfume, and using cosmetics and garlands (decorative accessories).
8. I undertake to abstain from luxurious places for sitting or sleeping, and overindulging in sleep. (This generally includes not sleeping on a high or soft bed.)

We look forward to practicing with you.

April/May 2017 Practice Period Notes and Recordings

April 4th

Jean LaValley introduced the subject of renunciation , and led a discussion investigating our attitudes surrounding it.
Resources:

1. Tapussa Sutta: To Tapussa (AN 9.41) - The Buddha addressing householders on renunciation.
2. The Non-Pursuit of Happiness, by Andrew Olendzki - A reflection on what is happiness and how we might cultivate it.
3. The best ways to teach you little kids about money - This 9 minute video is from a series on the PBS Newshour called Making Sense. The subject is teaching kids about money. But what I find interesting is that it has a lot to do with the concept of renunciation - results of instant gratification, benefits of delayed gratification.

April 11th

Mary Stone discussed renunciation as 'Untangling' - Untangling from the mind state of craving, which the Buddha says is the origin of suffering, by cultivating mind states of gratitude, generosity, kindness, and contentment.

April 18th

In this first of two talks, John Fries spoke on renunciation from the perspective of Right Intention, the second practice in the eight-fold path. The focus was on the drawbacks of sense pleasures.

April 25th

The second talk by John Fries on renunciation and Right Intention looked at the rewards of renouncing sense pleasures.

Other References:

• Gil Fronsdal's course at the Sati Center on Happiness, Sensuality, and Renunciation
• Maha-dukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Great Mass of Stress (MN 13)
• Bhikkhu Bodhi's lecture on MN 13 (audio)

• Jean LaValley opens the Practice Period with a summary and suggestions for setting intention.
• Gil Fronsdal's book The Issue at Hand. Jean read from "The Body at the Center", page 47, as part of her introduction.
• Mary Stone takes us through the segment of the sutta that contains instructions on mindfulness of breathing.
• Steve Hansen presented instructions on Mindfulness of Physical Characteristics (i.e. the body parts, and elements). The presentation used slides. The slides are integrated with the sound recording at this link.
• Mary Haberman described the section of the First Foundation having to do with postures and activities of the body. Her notes from the talk are here. Mary referred to these links and resources during her talk:
  • The Marshmallow Test
  • The link between ageing/DNA breakdown and impatience
  • Amy Cuddy's TED talk “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are” (Power poses)
  • Gil Fronsdal's talk on postures and activities: Gil Fronsdal: Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Mindfulness of Body 41:19 Recorded: Monday, January 25, 2016
  • Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization by Analayo
• John Fries summarized and tied together some of the key points of the previous talks, covering the six practices the Buddha taught on how to see the body as it actually is, and to consider the benefits of these practices and how to fuel our enthusiasm for them. The recording is here.
• Iris Dunaway spoke about how the teachings and techniques we have been discussing throughout this Practice Period have concrete application to her life as a mother, in sometimes trying situations. The recording is here.

References - Translations of the Satipatthana Sutta:

• "Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness" (MN 10), translated from the Pali by Nyanasatta Thera. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 1 December 2013
• "Satipatthana Sutta: The Discourse on the Arousing of Mindfulness" (MN 10), translated from the Pali by Soma Thera. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 13 June 2010
• "Satipatthana Sutta: Frames of Reference" (MN 10), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013
• Selection from Bhikkhu Bodhi, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, 2009)

Additional references:

• Notes on the introduction to the 2014 BIMS Practice Period, by Jean LaValley and Iris Dunaway
• Notes on the talk about the Buddha's Gradual Training, by John Fries and Mary Stone
• A handout and notes on the discussion of the hindrance of sense desire, by Mary Haberman
• Notes on the discussion of the hindrance of ill will, by Jean LaValley
• A handout and notes on the discussion of the hindrance of sloth and torpor, by Geneva Blake and Mary Stone
• An audio recording of the discussion on the hindrance of restlessness and worry, by Geneva Blake and Mary Stone
• A handout and notes on the discussion of the hindrance of restlessness and remorse, by Geneva Blake and Mary Stone
• An audio recording of the discussion on the hindrance of doubt or uncertainty, by Iris Dunaway and Steve Hansen
• Notes from the final night summary of the 2014 Practice Period, by Jean LaValley and Steve Hansen
• An audio recording of the final night wrap-up of the 2014 Practice Period, by Jean LaValley and Steve Hansen
• The slides used in the final night wrap-up, by Steve Hansen

• Excerpts and notes from the talk by Jean LaValley on the opening night, January 8th Subject: Refuges, Precepts, Intention
• A recording of the January 15th talk and discussion on Perceptions and Practicing at the Sense Doors by John Fries
• A recording and notes from the January22nd session on Meditating with Sadness and Anxiety
• A recording from John Robinson and Carolyn McGlothlin on A Day in the Life of Self
• The concluding night of the 2013 Practice Period, reviewing and offering the precepts and refuges, led by Jean LaValley and John Fries