Returning to Nature through Wuwei: Simplifying, Sensitizing, & Surrendering | Jason Bartlett Q&A

ESSAYS Return to Simplicity Through Wuwei: https://luminousdharma.org/return-to-simplicity-through-wuwei/ Returning to Nature: https://luminousdharma.org/returning-to-nature-advanced-dharma-practice/ PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/qlU00qmHq1E DESCRIPTION Returning to Simplicity is an approach to Buddhist practice based on radical surrender. What we set down is the whole apparatus of impulse, obsession, discriminating, ruminating, and holding concepts about how the world should be. We are not setting down the arising of these things, but our investment in them. What we take up instead is feeling the world as it actually is. The Buddha encouraged exploring body, mind, and environment as "not I, not me, not mine." In this discussion we look at how that seeing may be uncovered and directly experienced, and how life can open into freedom when things are entrusted back to natural function. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/. BIO Jason Bartlett teaches a practical, cross-traditional approach to Buddha Dharma centered on "returning to nature" — a method of releasing the sense of self by entrusting whatever arises spontaneously and uncontrolled to nature itself, drawing on prajñāpāramitā, tathāgatagarbha, and early Taoist teachings. He began meditating in 1993 at age 17, and his practice expanded over the years to include Chan, Korean Seon, and Theravāda traditions, along with study of the Pāli suttas and Mahāyāna sūtras. Following his brother's death in 2019, he founded Luminous Dharma to offer teachings freely. His mentors include Venerable Sucitta Mahātherī, Santikaro Upāsaka, Leigh Brasington, and Venerable Wu Kai Shīfù. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Opening & Bio Introduction 3:08 – "How would you describe returning to simplicity?" 9:34 – "How would you speak about people embodying this in daily life?" 13:33 – "Can you give listeners practical ways to embody the skill of release?" 18:05 – "How would you suggest cultivating this on the cushion?" 21:45 – "Do you want to quickly speak to the sailing analogy?" 27:20 – "How would you speak about moments where it's not easy to turn off the motor?" 32:24 – "Would you speak to big mind and small mind?" 35:20 – "What other methods do you have for people stepping into big mind?" 37:19 – "Do you have an example of returning to simplicity while doing the dishes?" 46:59 – "How do you teach this in meditation? How do you sit to develop these skills?" 51:30 – "Can you give a practical technique to sit with this — breath or mantra?" 54:54 – "What's different about returning to nature vs. returning to simplicity?" 1:01:19 – "How is returning to nature different from returning to simplicity?" (trust/wholehearted wish) 1:09:00 – "What's the practical way to sit and develop the returning to nature method?" 1:17:14 – "How do people make the leap to piti, rapture, and nourishment?" 1:21:43 – "How does one know if a breakthrough is authentic?" 1:25:08 – "How does the Awakening Alchemy method fit into this paradigm?" 1:28:42 – "Do you consider yourself Buddhist?" We are especially grateful for the work of Chetan Raj in filming and editing. Sadhu! --- Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom) - Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person) - Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online) See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!