[marcinmarinMember]

I highly suggest the audible book series “Abiding in Mindfulness” by Joseph Goldstein. 3 books, 46 dharma talks. Breaks down the Satipatṭhāna Sutta. I know this is only one of many Suttas, but Josheph’s comprehensive breakdown helped not only my meditation and understanding TMI better, but also gave me insight in how one might approach the suttas.
I also agree with Aaron that “In the Budda’s Words” by Bhikku Bodhi was a big help.

[marcinmarinMember]

Hello Hendrik,

How does one effectively cultivate introspective awareness in one’s practice ? (especially when one has not cultivated it yet)
The way I thought of this, and it worked for me, was that what I want awareness to do, I “teach” it by using attention. So as I am on the breath, Using attention, I stop following the breath and check the state of my body (any sensations present that may become distractions) and my mind (I say to myself any pressing thoughts right now or anything that may become a distraction) the I go back to the breath. This is what I want my subconscious (awareness) to do continually as I follow the breath.

-How does one work with intentions/something else to cultivate and develop introspective awareness? Before I start on the breath I think set my intentions. In stage 3 my intentions were to stay on the breath, to to cultivate introspective awareness, to congratulate myself when I “came back” from a gross distraction, and to “check in” from time to time to help cultivate introspective awareness.

Intention is VERY powerful. By setting intention my subconscious “gets the message” that I am serious about what I am intending and that it should work hard to try and help me.

I hope this helps, Marc

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