What about the Preliminary Exercises?
Is the preliminary practice stage essential?
What to do with resistance to undertaking this section of the path?
Where is the training in calm abiding (Samatha) in these exercises?

Dharma roadside dialogue

20240330_Dharma roadside dialogue #3 March. Extraordinary Preliminary practices

Body, speech and mind's attitude in the exercise of prostration.

Advice

About Prostrations

The Power of Regret: recalling all of our negative actions in the past motivated by ignorance, attachment or aversion. 
Power of Reliance: Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
The Power of Remedy: the mantra and visualization and mental focus on purification.
The Power of Restraint: or undertaking to refrain from creating negative karma (actions) in future.

20240525 Dharma roadside dialogue #5 The four transformative powers

20240525 Dharma roadside dialogue #5 May The four transformative powers

Resident Dharma Teacher at the Bodhipath Buddhist Center in Natural Bridge, VA

New tracks tagged #preliminary practices