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Words as such
The text is read aloud. We then keep the printed text before us, gently reading and rereading. In this phase, we speak only the words and phrases of the text. Into the silence, we speak those phrases that touch us or arouse questions. Having listened to the excerpt, we silently read and re-read the text to ourselves. What words and phrases speak tous? We dwell in and around those words. If they have the energy to beshared, we speak them into the silence of the group.
If a single word touches us, we stay with it, repeat it, dwell in it, and go beyond the intellect to a direct experience of the word as a collection of letters, a sound, an aggregate carrier of wisdom across time. We savor each word. As moved, we speak those phrases that stand out in that moment. Do these words stimulate thoughts or emotions; do they arouse inquiry?
Without yet feeding those thoughts, or delving into the felt sense of emotion, we pay attention to where the mind is drawn by curiosity or resonance. We share only thewords of the text—single words or phrases, and listen deeply as others do the same. Our attention is thus called to what others notice that we might have overlooked. Sometimes,unexpected words are brought forward or pivotal words are repeated manytimes in a kind of living poetry. There are ample silences, and eachword or phrase shared can resonate within us or within the group.
A Sample of Practice: ...imagine a tree abundant in its branches & leaves: Its buds grow to maturity,its bark grows to maturity, its sap wood grows to maturity, its heart wood grows to maturity. In the same way, when -- there being mindfulness & alertness -- a person is abundant in mindfulness & alertness,the prerequisite for a sense of conscience & concern becomes abundant. There being a sense of conscience & concern... the prerequisite for restraint of the senses becomes abundant. There being restraint of the senses... the prerequisite for virtue becomes abundant. There being virtue... the prerequisite for right concentration becomes abundant. There being right concentration... the prerequisite for knowledge & vision of things as they actually are present becomes abundant. There being knowledge & vision of things as they are actually present, the prerequisite for disenchantment & dispassion becomes abundant. There being disenchantment & dispassion, the prerequisite for knowledge & vision of release becomes abundant.
(AN VIII.81) participant one: abundant
participant two: disenchantment participant one: knowledge & vision of things as they actually are participant three: prerequisite participant four: disenchantment participant two: mindfulness & alertness participant four: grows participant three: present participant two: prerequisite for knowledge & vision of release becomes abundant. participant three: grows to maturity participant two: mindfulness & alertness, conscience & concern, knowledge and vision of release. participant one: maturity |