This page contains the talks and the practices from the study day, held on Friday the 24th January, entitled “Stepping off the Treadmill”. The day was intended to help participants appreciate how the mind in its untrained state constructs a reality that is associated with suffering and how that suffering drives us to look for relief in craving what is pleasant and clinging to try and render the pleasant permanent. The result is that we become entrapped in ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that drive us around in circles of the mind.
1. Introduction – why is the day entitled “Stepping off the Treadmill” and what are we seeking to understand. 4minute talk.
2. The “wanting” body scan – looking at how we are always wanting things to be different than they are. The importance of wanting in driving us around the cycle of suffering. The subtleties of wanting, the strength of wanting and how it can apply to almost everything in our lives. 35minutes.
3. Basic mindfulness practice – the importance of moment by moment awareness. Accepting what is present now rather than wanting things to be different in the past and the future. 20minutes.
4. The nature of the treadmill – a brief guide to how it is constructed and what powers it. The concept of dependent arising. 15minute talk.
5. Self-compassion practice – we are all human, we are not unique and need to practise being kind to ourselves. 35minutes.
6. Self-compassion practice – contemplating life’s difficulties and life’s successes. Recognising how it feels to rest in the present moment as opposed to thinking about the past or our hopes for the future. How resting in the present moment can help us to feel calmer and more peaceful. 25minutes.
7. The 7 step plan of action – how to start the process of slowing the treadmill and maybe even stepping off. 15minute talk.
8. Self-compassion practice – looking at the good that is within us. Developing our innate desire to be caring and kind. Counteracting the negative by allowing ourselves to experience the positive. 30minutes.
