That's a great summary, Ani. I thought you might be interested  when I posted this. I listened to the video half-heartedly twice and gave it my full attention the 3rd time because I knew there was something there for me.

As can be the case, after posting the video and writing something about it, I had a meaningful experience that seems related to the video. When I share knowledge that I find personally meaningful, I usually get a lift in my practice soon after.

After listening to Ashin Ottama's talk for the 3rd time,  in next day or two I posted it to this Forum.  Probably same day or next day, I was in a zoom meditation with the Buddhist monastery in Las Vegas.  In that meditation I entered the neutral zone of consciousness which is not really tranquil but it is empty of thoughts while an underlying energy operates.  So its sort of empty and sort of equanimous but there is a vibrational energy that obstructs real peacefulness.    I was pleased to remain in that for almost an hour.  

After the meditation I was home alone and doing various household chores.  The empty zone consciousness lingered as I did some straightening up.  I walked through the sliding doors from outside and stood by the kitchen table, putting something down or reaching for something when there was a radical shift of consciousness.  How can words be sufficicent?  It was like melting. It was a beautiful awareness.  There was not a frame of reference from which to describe it. Simultaneously there was a knowing (not thinking but something that went beyond conception).  The knowing imparted this: If you stop judging, you will see things as they really are.  

That was it. For an instant, I shifted out of convention and was beyond conception. It reminded me of what Ashin Ottama said around the 39.15 mark in the video regarding inner openings. I reflected on the experience for a day and then texted Ajahn Chaiya at the Buddhist monastery to share what had happened.  He replied almost immediately, so I'm assuming it has significance in this practice tradition. His instruction, which is typically very brief, was: 

Strive to be mindful as much as possible.With metta forever....

In Buddhist practice mindfulness is a mental factor (and a factor of enlightment) which is required from the time of starting practice and extending all the way up to attainment of nibanna. Only from mindfulness can wisdom arise and from wisdom arises supramundane consciousness.

This is the path that I follow. The technique is very simple but develoing continuity is challenging.

May everyone attain their spiritual goal.