Coming to our Senses

“No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; no colour, sound, smell, taste, touch or what the mind gets hold of, nor even act of sensing.”

These familiar words are from the Heart Sutra, as we’ve been reciting it in Triratna pujas for many years. It’s a list of the twelve ayatanas, or internal and external sense bases. These have been very important in dharma teachings, from the earliest records onwards. They represent our entire experience of the world and ourselves in relation to it. And yet, in the Heart Sutra they are negated – NO eye, ear, nose, and so on. What could this mean?

But first things first. We’ll begin by becoming fully embodied. Not just in the sensate body, but in all five ‘body senses’, including seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting. And the mind will definitely have an important part to play as we proceed. Coming to our senses in this way is vital for meditation and awareness (satipaṭṭhāna) practice. It’s also the prerequisite for taking things deeper, so that we can explore, in experience, what the mysterious ‘no’ that the Heart Sutra puts in front of the list might be pointing to.

This will bring certain ‘everyday’ assumptions we have about our sense experience into question. Including the very notion that the ayatanas represent “our entire experience of the world an ourselves in relation to it”. By taking up this one detail from the Heart Sutra, we may open to its very essence – the nature of the perfection of wisdom or insight, prajñāpāramitā itself.

Suitable for people with at least three years of regular meditation practice.

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The programme on each day will be (UK times):

07.30 – 09.30 practice, teaching and inquiry

15.30 – 17.00 chanting, meditation and the opportunity to join a breakout group to discuss your practice

19.30 – 21.00 practice, teaching and inquiry

(I’ve adjusted the times slightly from usual to make it more accessible in Australia and New Zealand)

I won’t be able to offer one to one reviews during the retreat but if you would like to have one or more follow-up reviews (10 to 20 minutes), send me an email to the address below after the retreat finishes.

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This retreat and subsequent reviews or mentoring are offered on the principle of reciprocal generosity (dana). There is no charge, but your generosity in supporting my livelihood and work is greatly appreciated. If you are unable to afford anything at present, I would much prefer that you attend nevertheless.

To register interest in this online retreat, please email me at tejananda.online@proton.me I will acknowledge your booking and send out full details including zoom link a week or so before the retreat starts.