Dharma Talks By Christopher Titmuss

In the rhythm of the day, countless impressions pass through consciousness but only a few register and make an impact. Practice includes the capacity to give only a bare description to any event. There is an experience and a voice within that takes up a view about the experience. We listen to that voice to respond or not. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2012

We are leaving the old to explore the new. What was the main regret for people at the end of their life? Working too hard, they said. If we do not see clearly, then trouble will come. We think life is about me and what I want. When we bring the best out of our being, we touch the vast, the immensity of life. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2012

Background to some of the retreats in India. To be a butterfly, we must break free from being a moth. This is truly the creative. Am I living in any boxes? In the clear non-doing, the stillness, the creative act can emerge after moments or years. We have tremendous capacity for the creative act if there is sacrifice. Dharma talk recorded in India, february 2012

Three most important kinds of knowledge referred to by the Buddha. A purpose of a palpable silence is to enhance receptivity to knowledge to transform. Silence and knowledge give support to each other. Silence appears to be all inclusive but it is without insightful knowledge – a major aspect of the Dharma. Dharma talk recorded in India, february 2012

There is no such thing as fate, chance, destiny, luck, random or a coincidence. We are saying at such times we cannot see the causes and conditions that cause something to happen. Desires, negativities, boredom, anxiety and doubt/fear influence our consciousness. Dharma talk recorded in India, february 2012

The limits and the occasional benefits of chanting. Our poets refer to life and death, love and loss. We explore the passing away of something which allows something else to come about. Awareness of arising and passing allows life to flow freely. Dharma talk recorded in India, January 2012

Do we learn from past experiences? What have we learnt? What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? The obsession with knowledge robs children of play. Practice offers another form of learning to find wisdom. The act of listening is an important feature of practice. Dharma talk recorded in India, January 2012

There is the emergence of the seeker, the seeking and the sought. Our culture may not offer what we truly seek. The experience is important but the relationship to the experience is more important. Seeking is the act of questioning. Life is no picnic. Dharma talk recorded in Germany, October 2011

We explore birth and death – of an experience, of a day, of a friend or relative. Reflection on death reduces fear and unhappiness. We look at our thoughts and views to see what is worthwhile. Understanding matters. We are known by our actions, said the Buddha. Dharma talk recorded in Germany, October 2011

Mind and Matter are mutually supportive, relating to each other. Mind influences matter and matter influences mind. What is it we don’t like about ourselves in mind and body? We live in the spell of images. We learn to live without fear in the face of mind/matter. Dharma talk recorded in Germany, October 2011

Who are you? Our first response is to give our name. We are a name. I am English. Therefore I am my country. I am a teacher. Then I am my job. Who am I? An identity is formed for the conventions. What is behind the presentation? Who am I before I give a name? Dharma talk recorded in Germany, May 2011

Are there areas in my life where restraint is necessary? The restraint must be named. Are there areas which we need to develop? Reading a beautiful poem of life and death by Christopher's grandson, aged 10. If we hold to a precise image of what we want, we can search everywhere for its presence or non-presence. Dharma talk recorded in Germany, May 2011

It is vital and necessary to stop, be silent and still for recollection of what was. Are there influences from the past which influence our consciousness today? Human beings are a collective and we can know the benefits of recollection or else the shadow will affect us today. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, May 2011

Freedom has no form, nor shape, no substance, nor beginning nor ending yet seeing and knowable. It is empty of being any " thing." It is important to distinguish a need from desire (a problematic wanting). Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2011

There are, at times, torrents of self blame and lack of self worth. The voice of the inner critic can arise in a peaceful atmosphere. What feeds the voice of inner blame? The quality of attention matters to see in fresh ways towards understanding the dynamic. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2011

We can experience dukkha (unsatisfactoriness, suffering, stress) and know experiences without dukkha. We do not realise how we build up dependency. Dharma teachings point to a life without friction with the body or the inner life. Let me take responsibility for what I am feeling and thinking. This is an act of maturity. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2011

The concept "mindfulness" and its application has entered into public discourse. We can direct mindfulness to the past, present and future. Pity and blame impact upon the present. Am I vulnerable to the weight of history? Commentary on the book of Israeli politician, Avram Berg. Mindfulness dwells in time and dwells in a certain space. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2011

The Way or the Path is a widely used metaphor. There is no confirmation in the nature of the path but only of diversity in the field of experience. Problems arise through the inflation of differences to the level of causing suffering. The inflation of differences leads to conflict. Dharma talk recorded in Israel, April 2011

A commentary on the Buddha’s discourse on his Noble Search. An exploration of the experience of authentic freedom. Wisdom sees into conditionality, into dependent arising of events. Any longing is also dependent arising and often hard to see. It is difficult to see dependent arising as a liberation. Dharma talk recorded in Germany, March 2011.

Originally, Vipassana referred to monks who dedicated themselves to meditation for insight rather than rituals, ceremonies and forms. Vi-passana means to double the contact so that insight arrives. Some monks organised meditation for insight. Much meditation contributes to various experiences of calm, of spirituality but insights matter as well. Dharma talk recorded in Germany, February 2011.