Florida Community of Mindfulness: Recent Episodes
floridamindfulness
Fred’s talk invites a shift in how we understand mindfulness. Rather than trying to get rid of thoughts, he points out that thinking itself is a powerful human capacity—the issue is not that we think, but that we often think in ways that distort reality and create suffering. Drawing on the Lojong (Mind Training) teachings, he highlights several simple but profound practices: using adversity as a path to growth, and extending gratitude to everyone, even those who challenge us. These teachings encourage us to meet difficulty with openness and to see life’s challenges as opportunities to deepen patience, resilience, and compassion.
He also emphasizes that people’s actions arise from causes and conditions, which helps soften judgment and opens the door to understanding. Rather than reacting with blame or frustration, we can respond with greater clarity and care. Fred brings this down to everyday life—how we relate to pain, stress, and even the larger challenges in the world—reminding us that cultivating a steady, positive mind is not about avoiding reality, but about meeting it in a way that allows real transformation and compassion to emerge.
Fred explores the profound meaning behind the birth and life of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, emphasizing both his spiritual significance and his deeply human experience. He begins by affirming the Buddha as a historical figure, supported by archaeological evidence such as Emperor Ashoka’s pillars marking key events in the Buddha’s life, including his birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal. Fred then recounts the Buddha’s birth story and sheltered upbringing, highlighting the pivotal encounters with sickness, aging, and death that shattered his protected world and ignited his search to understand and transcend suffering.
Fred also points to the paradox of the Buddha’s life—that an enlightened being enters fully into ordinary human experience. This reflects a core Buddhist ideal: awakening is not separate from life but expressed through it. In this context, Fred distinguishes between the monastic path of renunciation and the lay path of non-attachment, emphasizing that while most people live with relationships and responsibilities, the teachings offer a way to engage life without being bound by it.
A central theme is the purification of the mind, symbolized by the ritual of bathing the baby Buddha. Fred frames this not as a mere ceremony, but as an expression of the aspiration to cleanse one’s own mind of confusion and reactivity, reconnecting with one’s innate Buddha nature.
He closes with reflections on impermanence and the preciousness of life, inviting a deeper appreciation for this moment. The celebration continues in community through simple, embodied practices—children making lanterns, shared meditation, and the bathing ritual—bringing the Buddha’s story into lived, collective experience.
In this Dharma talk Fred explores three interconnected themes central to Buddhist practice and personal transformation: the nature of emotions, the entrapment in personal stories, and the challenge of doubt on the spiritual path. He begins by emphasizing mindfulness as the foundational tool for awareness and self-transformation, especially for Western audiences conditioned towards quick fixes and external solutions. Mindfulness roots us in the present moment through bodily awareness, particularly by observing the body and breath, providing a stable ground amid the mind’s habitual distractions.
Fred then delves into the relationship between mind and body in the experience of emotions. Emotions manifest physically in bodily sensations—such as tension with anger or warmth with happiness—and these sensations provide clues for awareness. However, emotions arise from mental stories fabricated by the mind rather than existing independently in the body. Recognizing these stories as constructed rather than absolute truths is crucial for gaining personal agency and freedom.
The discussion then transitions to the pervasive role of stories in shaping our reality and emotional states. Humans continuously create narratives to explain experiences, but when these stories are accepted as reality, they trap us in limited, often negative, emotional patterns. Mindfulness and awareness allow us to discern and choose which stories to nurture—favoring those that support growth and wholesomeness—and which to let go.
Fred identifies doubt as the greatest obstacle on the meditative path. There are two main types of doubt: skepticism about whether true transformation is possible through the path, and doubt about one’s own capacity to follow the path. Both undermine commitment and progress, especially in Western culture where external achievement is prioritized and inner change is undervalued. Overcoming these doubts requires developing trust in the path and confidence in one’s potential for change, remembering that our identities are conditioned rather than fixed.
In the Q&A, Fred addressed practical aspects, such as how to handle persistent negative mind states (e.g., morning anxiety), the nature of anger and its role in the path, and the importance of cultivating wholesome aspirations or intentions to guide daily life. Anger is described as a toxic emotion that distorts perception and causes harm, yet it also serves as a signal to investigate root causes. Conscious aspiration acts as the compass to keep one focused on one’s spiritual goals amidst life’s distractions. Ultimately, the transformative path calls for ongoing awareness, intentionality, and cultivation of positive mental states as antidotes to habitual suffering
In this talk at Sunday sangha, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner talks about the Four Noble Truths as a Practical Framework for Understanding and Addressing Suffering. He interprets suffering (dukkha) in a nuanced way—not merely as physical or emotional pain, but as a fundamental existential dissatisfaction resulting from a mind “off its axle.” This metaphor reveals that suffering is a misalignment or friction within the mind’s experience, which can be alleviated by understanding its causes and actively following a path to liberation. This insight situates meditation within a broader framework of practical, life-oriented spiritual work.
This spiritual mind includes understanding and practicing with the following:
-
Right Effort as a Dynamic, Fourfold Practice of Mental Transformation. Fred’s explanation of right effort is a key teaching that breaks down the process of mental transformation into four actionable steps: maintaining good qualities, generating positive states, abandoning negative states, and preventing negative states from arising. This framework offers meditators a clear and manageable approach to spiritual growth, emphasizing that effort is not about brute force but mindful cultivation and discernment.
-
Wholesome Mind States Lead to Equanimity and Sustainable Happiness
The cultivation of wholesome qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, patience, and generosity is presented as essential not only for personal spiritual progress but for developing a mind that is resilient and balanced in the face of life’s ups and downs. This insight highlights that spiritual practice is not escapism but a way to engage the world with a calm, open heart. -
Our Minds Are Conditioned and Malleable, Not Fixed or Inherent. Fred challenges the notion of a fixed self by illustrating how much of our mind’s habitual patterns are conditioned by past experiences and cultural conditioning. He reassures that because these patterns are learned, they can be unlearned or replaced by consciously chosen states. This insight empowers practitioners to embrace change as a natural and attainable part of their spiritual journey.
-
Transforming Unwholesome Mindsets Requires Both Mindfulness and Compassionate Self-Dialogue. Fred addresses practical challenges in applying insight by emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and objective awareness when confronting negative mind states. Rather than harsh self-criticism, he advocates for patient inner conversations that acknowledge conditioning without judgment. This balances accountability with kindness, essential for sustainable transformation.
Fred conducted a very lively Q&A session with an audience of over 150 during Sunday Sangha in Tampa on January 11. He introduced the session by reminding us of the start of a new year, with the opportunity to revisit our aspirations and intentions, then invited foundational spiritual queries. Members posed a wide variety of questions, and Fred responded with wisdom (and some humor!), as you’ll hear from the recording of the talk. Questions asked included:
- How would you know when you’re awakened?
- How do YOU meditate, Fred?
- How does one develop the skill of commitment?
- What are your thoughts on the illusion of separateness?
- Can Buddhism be practiced effectively as a secular non-spiritual path? And what's the difference between a secular and a spiritual path?
- When we go pick up a book or a podcast or a dharma talk (from this modern spiritual supermarket), what are the ingredients we should be looking out for? What are those red flags?
On Sunday, September 7, our regular sangha was combined with our monthly Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation. In his talk, Fred introduced the Four Immeasurables—loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), joy in others’ happiness (mudita), and equanimity (upekkha)—as practices that expand our hearts beyond their typical barriers and support us in becoming kind and compassionate beings in our daily life. He emphasized the Mahayana vision of extending compassion impartially to all beings, rather than limiting care to those we naturally like or feel close to.
Acknowledging that there is a common human tendency to significantly restrict our kindness and compassion to family, friends, and pets, Fred challenged us to include neutral or even people we have aversion to (i.e. everyone!). He offered several guided meditations that encouraged reflection on the randomness of relationships and the shared humanity of all beings. By consciously wishing happiness and freedom from suffering for everyone, we can dismantle habitual barriers of preference and aversion.
Fred addressed practical concerns raised by sangha participants, such as distinguishing people from their harmful actions, working with jealousy in intimate relationships, and balancing unconditional love with discernment to avoid enabling unwholesome behavior. He underscored that compassion must be paired with wisdom to be authentic and effective.
In this Dharma talk, Fred offers a teaching that is both timeless and urgently needed: A reflection on the Seventh Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment.
Fred reminded us that in a culture of distraction, numbness, and division, the simple act of being present is nothing less than a radical act of love. We are constantly pulled into the noise of the world, into our screens, our worries, our endless plans and regrets. But, he said, the Dharma calls us back, again and again, to the only place where life is truly happening: this very moment.
Fred invited us to experience this directly, not as an idea but as a living truth. “Your body,” he said, “is an experience. It’s how the present moment becomes real.” When we come back to the breath, when we feel the contact of the body with the earth, we touch life as it is. The body never leaves the present, only the mind does.
He spoke of the courage it takes to truly be here, to stop running, to open our eyes, and to meet life just as it is. Each time we return to awareness, we nourish the seeds of healing and transformation within us. And in doing so, we help heal the world around us.
Fred reminded us that practice has two dimensions: recognizing and embracing the conditioning of the past, and consciously shaping the future by nourishing wholesome seeds right now. Every thought, every action, every moment of mindfulness plants the causes for future happiness.
To dwell happily in the present moment is not to ignore the suffering of the world, it is to face it with steadiness, compassion, and clarity. It is to stand in the midst of chaos and choose peace. It is to remember that awakening is always possible, right here, in the living moment of reality.
As Fred said so beautifully, returning to the present is how we return to life itself.
Buddhism is not faith-based and does not worship a diety, our teacher Fred said in Sunday's Dharma talk. Instead, it is a path of awakening that offers teachings and practices to help people transform their lives.
Yet, we need a certain type of devotion and faith if we are going to achieve the transformation we seek, Fred said, because we have to trust the path. Devotion actually shows up in many ways in our society today, such as through devotion to favorite sports teams, internet "influencers," celebrities, and more. Many people exhibit their devotion to a team or a particular person through wearing certain jerseys or t-shirts, or collecting various other types of memorabilia.
For those on a spiritual path, we can also nourish our devotion through using images and spiritual practices such as chantings, recitations and reflections to help inspire us to align actions of body, speech and mind with our aspirations. Fred described his home altar, which includes several Buddhas as well as pictures of his three beloved teachers. Images such as these help cultivate a deeper devotion to our spiritual practice, helping to connect us to the beautiful qualities of great spiritual beings and in turn bring out those same qualities in ourselves.
In his talk to the Sangha this past Sunday, Fred began by describing a recent morning walk along Tampa Bay’s Riverwalk, observing the outward happiness and vitality of people around him, young and old. Walking past a grassy area filled with people doing yoga with loud music playing, he suddenly heard a singer introduce a song saying, “This song is for all of you who have broken hearts.” Observing the juxtaposition of outward appearance at that moment with the song’s message reminded him that all beings experience states of ill-being, i.e. a broken heart, intermixed with well-being throughout their lives. In fact, the Buddha’s awakening began with recognizing the hidden suffering beneath life’s surface pleasures in his own life, which led to his embarking on his quest to discover the cause of human suffering and how it could be abated and come to cessation.
In his Sunday talk, Fred touched on a number of fundamental Buddhist teachings, including -
· Recognition that beneath appearances, everyone experiences suffering and sates of dissatisfaction throughout their lives.
· How the “eight worldly winds” – pleasure, pain, success, failure, gain, loss, praise, and blame – are continually shaping human experience.
· The power of mindfulness and self-awareness to pause habitual mental patterns and choose new responses to life’s challenges.
· How emotional afflictions (kleshas) act as coverings that block clarity and true self-awareness when they are active in the midstream.
· The metaphor of “wearing shoes” on our individual feet to adapt to life’s thorns rather than trying to rid the world of all its thorns.
Fred reminded the audience that the mind is the source of both happiness and suffering, and that coming home to one’s body, breath and awareness – establishing an inner sanctuary – allows us to disengage from the endless dramas of life and reclaim clarity and calmness, the necessary foundations for a happy, wise and compassionate life.
The Buddha was often consulted by the kings of the principalities of India in his day, leading him to develop 10 guidelines for good leadership and creating a healthy society, our teacher Fred said in a recent Dharma talk. While the current news is about the "No Kings" movement in the U.S., the issue is bigger than political views and relates to all levels of political or other types of leadership, he said.
Buddhism is about the big picture. Inner transformation of society is ultimately the answer. Society is an interactive process. All human beings have a mix of wholesome and unwholesome qualities in their minds, and what manifests depends on the responsibility we assume for developing wholesome qualities. We can blame leaders for their failures without noticing we have any of the same qualities in us.
Leaders set examples in the way they conduct themselves and treat others. The quality of leadership affects how we are as a people, and the quality of society affects the heath of our leaders.
It comes from both sides. A leader who is moral will affect the population. If a leader nurtures the unwholesome, the unwholesome will grow in society.
We may not be able to change our leaders, but we can change ourselves. That’s our responsibility. It is harder for an unhealthy ruler to lead if the culture of the country is living according to these 10 values.
The values the Buddha recommended for a ruler or leader are: generosity (willingness to give away wealth and resources for the benefit of others), moral, ethical character, self sacrifice for the benefit of others, honesty and integrity, gentleness and caring about the wellbeing of others, self control and austerity, shunning luxury, lack of anger and resentment, nonviolence, freedom from envy or grudges, and willingness to rule according to the will of the people.
Following a three-day retreat led by Guo Gu at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Guo Gu and Fred Eppsteiner answer a variety of questions from the audience, some highlights of which included the following advice:
• The foundation of meditation practice is to relax the body, cultivate contentment, and develop focused curiosity on the breath.
• Habit energy causes the mind to replay past scenarios; transforming this requires shifting feeling tone and compassionate visualization.
• Finding common ground in times of division requires being grounded oneself, cultivating right view, and responding with wisdom and compassion.
• Success and failure are uncontrollable outcomes; focus on controlling effort and understanding causes and conditions.
• Meditation should be enjoyable and tailored to one’s psychophysiological type, ideally with teacher guidance.
• Managing strong emotions like anger and fear requires building mindfulness strength gradually, recognizing early signs, and physical grounding.
• Spiritual practice deepens during unstable times as people seek stable ground beyond societal distractions and consumer culture.
Milarepa is one of the most renowned practitioners in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and most beloved by lay people. The story line of his life encompasses his difficult childhood, his vengeance seeking adolescence and young adulthood, his turning away from the “black arts” with repentance for his past deeds, his embrace of the Dharma Path, his conflicted and difficult relationship with his Dharma teacher, and his sincere and committed meditation practice that ultimately flowers with enlightenment. Overall a life that demonstrates that no matter what the “baggage,” healing and transformation is available to everyone.
Most of Milarepa's teachings were preserved in the form of poems that he spontaneously sang to those who came to him for teachings. These Dharma song poems are true jewels of the Buddhist tradition. Fred shares and comments on some of his favorites in these two Pop-up Teachings at the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
Milarepa is one of the most renowned practitioners in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and most beloved by lay people. The story line of his life encompasses his difficult childhood, his vengeance seeking adolescence and young adulthood, his turning away from the “black arts” with repentance for his past deeds, his embrace of the Dharma Path, his conflicted and difficult relationship with his Dharma teacher, and his sincere and committed meditation practice that ultimately flowers with enlightenment. Overall a life that demonstrates that no matter what the “baggage,” healing and transformation is available to everyone.
Most of Milarepa's teachings were preserved in the form of poems that he spontaneously sang to those who came to him for teachings. These Dharma song poems are true jewels of the Buddhist tradition. Fred shares and comments on some of his favorites in these two Pop-up Teachings at the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
In this teaching to students at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred presents a profound Buddhist teaching, focusing on two central ideas: the metaphor of the "host and guest" and the concept of "gladdening the mind." The teaching of host and guest, drawn from Chan Buddhism and illuminated by the insights of the Chinese master Shu Yun (Empty Cloud), explains that our true self is like a host—stable, present, and unchanging—while our thoughts, emotions, and experiences are like guests—transient, illusory, and constantly coming and going. The host remains unaffected by the guests, embodying the true nature of awareness or consciousness, while the guests represent illusory thoughts and feelings that arise and pass away. Recognizing this distinction is foundational for spiritual practice and mental well-being because it helps reduce suffering caused by over-identification with fleeting mental phenomena.
In this lively Q&A session with students at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred addresses questions relating to common challenges in meditation, understanding attachment, working skillfully with thoughts, how to relate to identity in one's profession, dealing with trauma and its lingering effects, and the difference between reflection and meditation.
Fred offered a rich array of Dharma teachings through his answers to students’ questions at Sunday Sangha, including: What does taking refuge really mean? What does “form is emptiness, emptiness is form” mean? What is the number one way one can honor or be true to oneself in terms of the Buddha? How does one “let go,” whether in relationships or other situations? Can you touch on the political shootings in the Twin Cities? What role does “proactivity” play in our practice?
In this second of two talks on the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, Angie gives an introduction to the nutriments for the mind: Sensory impressions, volition and consciousness. Our aspiration for the type of mind we wish to cultivate is paramount in making choices for a diet that will support our true happiness and wellbeing.
In this first of two talks introducing the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, Angie introduces the first nutriment, edible foods. She reflects on her personal journey toward a healthier relationship with her body and food, emphasizing how unconscious eating habits often stem from emotional needs or past trauma. Through mindfulness practices, she shares how shifting perspectives can lead to healthier choices that nourish both body and mind.
Highlights
• Mindful Consumption: It is important to be conscious of WHAT and WHY we consume—not just food, but also thoughts, emotions, and media—since they all impact our well-being.
• Emotional Eating: Many people use food to numb emotional pain or fill a void left by loneliness, stress, or past trauma.
• Body Relationship Shift: It can be very helpful to reflect deeply on how we view our body if we are to make a shift to seeing it as a sacred vessel deserving of love and care.
• Guided Reflection: A meditation invites participants to reflect on their relationship with their bodies—whether seen as an object of pleasure, tied to ego, neglected, or honored as a vehicle for purpose.
• Community Sharing: Attendees shared insights about viewing the body-mind connection as inseparable, embracing balance over restriction, and navigating wellness in a world full of conflicting health advice.
• Mindful Eating Practices: Mindful eating practices were shared, such as those offered by Roshi Jan Chozen Bays in her book "Mindful Eating" (e.g. “What kind of hunger am I feeding?” (e.g., eye hunger, stomach hunger, heart hunger), gratitude eating practices, and more).
Fred introduces the 2022 biological documentary of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, "A Cloud Never Dies," then leads the sangha in discussing this beautiful and profound video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRObW9noiVk). Fred reminded us of Thich Nhat Hanh's (Thay's) teaching that we have the opportunity of making this the century of spirituality but there has to be a great awakening, and the great awakening is within each of us. While we may wish to see change in the world, Thay always taught that change begins within us, and it is our responsibility to individually wake up, to put these wonderful teachings into practice, and to manifest them in our own relationships and lives.
At a mahasangha gathering celebrating FCM's 30 years of community and Fred's 80th continuation, Fred inspires the community by sharing how - through the instruction of his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh - he has created community and an approach to Buddhism that is relevant in our western culture.
Fred reminds us that all of our worldly accomplishments - whether being wealthy, famous, loved or their opposites - will be meaningless and will come to an end at our death. Most important is our inner state of being. Fred uses the occasion of his 80th birthday to remind us that we all began with a pure, innocent mind, and how we can nurture that natural state in our journey through life.
In this Dharma talk to students at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred discussed how the Buddha placed great importance on character, which can be seen in Buddhism's emphasis on matters of virtue. Character has to do with the accumulation of karmic disposition. It constitutes the sum total of what we are as human beings - our personhood. In this talk, Fred discusses those qualities of character that we, as followers of a spiritual path, should aspire to develop if we are to truly awaken.
Fred discussed the importance of spiritual aspirations and the necessity of applying Right Effort if we are to transform our minds to live in alignment with our aspirations. He used the Ten Ox Herding Pictures to help illustrate the value of Right Effort.
As we begin a new year, many of us may have contemplated our aspirations for spiritual growth - for how we want to be, with ourselves and others - in a wise and compassionate way that supports wellbeing. How do we take the practical steps of making these aspirations part of our lived experience? Angie discusses the importance of and process of watering wholesome seeds in this talk to the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
Fred shares the lessons he learned from Thich Nhat Hanh on the importance of giving ourselves a "lazy day," where we nourish the quality of "being" over the societal emphasis on always "doing". Lazy days (or even lazy half days!) help us to deepen our connection with who we truly are, and to connect (and even "do") from that place of greater presence.
Angie talks about the importance of practicing compassion in the Buddhist tradition, including the "great compassion" that arises when we recognize the suffering that is caused by our fundamental delusion of who we are.
Many of us spend valuable time reflecting on our spiritual aspirations, but when are we going to actually make the changes we so desire? In this Dharma talk, Bryan Hindert uses Thich Nhat Hanh's calligraphy “This is It” to discuss the importance of becoming very clear that the time to make change is NOW – thus “This is It”. Change only happens in this moment, not in our thoughts about the future or the past. So how do we practice in this moment to create a mind that supports our happiness and wellbeing?
Bryan suggests considering our mind like a field where we’re going to plant our aspirations. If we are going to successfully create change, we need to accept and embrace that our life is our field – with whatever is arising and present right now - this is our life, and where we need to get to work.
Having set vows and intentions for the new year, how do we move forward to create the change we wish to see in our lives? In this talk, Fred discusses the importance first of mindfulness - specifically, smrti in Sanskrit, a meaning which incorporates “to remember” or “to recollect” alongside “awareness” or “attention” in the present moment. When we bring in Buddhist teachings on right view, such as cause and effective, impermanence, and the instability of constantly changing worldly phenomena (e.g. gain, pleasure, fame, praise), we will have the foundation for finding a different way to relate to life and experiencing greater wellbeing and happiness.
FCM warmly invites all to join us on the special day of celebrating the traditional Buddhist holiday of Vesak honoring the birth of the Buddha on Sunday, May 19 during Sunday meditation at the Tampa Practice Center.
Our teacher Fred will offer teachings on the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, the significance for humankind of the Buddha’s birth, and what it truly means to be a Buddha.
The traditional practice of bathing the Baby Buddha will be held in the meditation hall.
Final Dharma talk from the "Perfection of Patience" four-day retreat.
The Buddhist path teaches that true happiness comes about through transforming our mind and its mind states. Essential for our transformation is developing the Perfection of Patience, which allows a deep and profound acceptance of ‘what is’. Founded on a wise and clear understanding of causes and conditions, patience is the unrivaled antidote for neutralizing and preventing us from succumbing to vexatious mind states such as anger, anxiety and all related afflictions, including frustration, irritation, worry, disappointment, confusion, and more.
Under Fred's guidance, this retreat will offer participants the opportunity to truly understand and practice the Perfection (Paramita) of Patience. With the cultivation of patience, the seeds of understanding, acceptance and equanimity have the possibility to flower.
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.
Teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, recounts the story of Siddhartha's remarkable birth and extraordinary transformation in choosing the path of renunciation to become the Buddha, taking life in a human body, from living the life of a royal protected from sickness, old age and death. When he encountered the suffering and impermanence experienced by a renunciate who remained peaceful, there was a crisis in his life precipitating the beginning of his search for that same peace and the attainment of Enlightenment. Fifty years of teaching followed as he became the Great Enlightened One teaching the Oneness of Everyone and Everything: "Above the heavens and below the heavens, I alone am the only One." The lineage of unbroken transmission of those teachings continues through 2600 years to the present.
This Mother's Day talk begins with a consideration of the question, " What do I need right now for my mind to be at peace?" Teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, encourages us to ground ourselves in the present and give up needlessly ruminating on our issues, dramas - the sources of suffering - recognizing the admonition of Thich Nhat Hahn that "at this moment we have all the conditions we need to be peaceful." From this peaceful place it is possible to step out of the Drama of Self and step into the Bodhisattva Way of the "Loving Altruistic Heart," which mimics the Heart of a Mother filled with love, compassion, wisdom, and generosity.
The transformative path of practice must include three fundamental elements identified here by the teacher, Fred Eppsteiner. Mindfulness, being present Now, is the first, and this mindfulness must have established criteria including integrity, kindness, compassion, understanding, and intention. The second element is the concentrated mind: concentration which unifies the energies of the mind. Insight is the third and final element that goes beyond intellectual understanding to deep looking, acknowledging the power of the ego and how one relates to one's own suffering. A transformational mindfulness practice incorporating these three elements can produce real change which is wholesome and leads to a happier way of being. Our Life becomes our Practice.
In the Buddhist tradition, the passing of an old year and the beginning of a new one is celebrated in a sacred manner.
FCM's annual New Year ceremony, Beginning Anew, on Sunday, January 1 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, will guide practitioners through a review of the past year and then allow time to write down and let go of the past (including regrets) in a symbolic way. Aspirations and intentions for the new year will then be envisioned, written down, and strengthened by the ceremonial process.
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner relates the story of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens', "A Christmas Carol." Through this story, Fred explains how we can all transform the suffering we experience from living a life devoted to self into a happy, meaningful life filled with love and compassion for others.
The Florida Community of Mindfulness has a very clear vision and mission that it seeks to realize. It also has eight essential principles, or "core values," that underlie, motivate, shape and guide the community. In this talk to students of FCM, teacher Fred Eppsteiner more deeply describes the core values of Awakening and Community.
Teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, continues this exploration with teachings from the workshop "Responding to the Suffering of the World." Many ask, What can I – one person – do? We don’t know where to put meaningful efforts or how to begin. It is easy to fall into patterns of despair, sadness or anger. For 2600 years, Buddhist practitioners have looked deeply into causation of human and societal suffering and have brought forth many wise answers that have the capacity to alleviate both personal suffering and suffering in the world. In these teachings we will discover how the Buddhist tradition may show us a clear path to the most beneficial way to respond to the suffering of the world.
Guo Gu, founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center and an assistant professor at Florida State University, tells a fascinating story of his life and his search for how to find a place as a Buddhist in America in a dialogue with our teacher Fred on Sunday.
Part 2 of "Essential Dharma" begins with a review of several important preliminary teachings provided in Part 1. First, the reminder that nothing is permanent. In this difficult time of practicing a spiritual path it becomes very important to preserve the "internal forms" of Buddhism constituting Mindful Living, knowing how to be present and what is necessary for emotional healing. In the next part of the review teacher Fred Epsteiner addressed two preliminaries, the foundations - the mind and care for the mind is most important, and it is this mind that distinguishes between appearances in the mind and the reality of perceived objects. Then he introduced another preliminary inviting us to the meditative exploration of the question, "What is it that is perceiving? What is awareness? What is the nature of mind?" The challenge put forward by Eppsteiner is to consider whether or not our version of the truth is based on objective reality. Would we like to live in a relaxed way, to be present, to be aware for even thirty minutes?
This Sunday in Tampa, Dharma Teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, focused this dharma lesson on the important intention to create a fundamental change in consciousness of mind where mindfulness is a way of living grounded in a commitment to stability and moment to moment and day to day awareness. We, as co-creators of the world, are challenged to look deeply at the causes and effects of consumerism and begin to turn toward a way of life within the context of impermanence that is simple, clear, natural, ethically committed to kindness, compassion, and caring for others.
Teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, directs our study of the Dharma to two questions in our search for a happy and peaceful life. First, "What is essential, the simple essence, that is the root of all joy and sorrow?" The Dharma teaches the Mind is the Source of deeds of body, speech and mind whether wholesome or unwholesome. Is this true? The second question is, "Am I present to reality as it is?" Can I distinguish between two worlds - the world of appearances, the source of distorted reality, shaped by stories, projections, and beliefs belonging to the narrative of the Self and the world of objective reality? The happy, peaceful life is available when we have the ability to be in control of the Mind discriminating between the two worlds instead of acting as if they are the same.
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us how being a good student of the Dharma requires the student pursuing a spiritual path to attend to the mind and to possess the desire to change.
The commitment to receive the Dharma with a Clear Mind requires examining the mind to identify the possible ways to receive the teachings. Referred to as "The Three Bowls and Six Stains," these teachings provide a student the opportunity for self-reflection assessing the state of the mind's ability to listen to the teacher without filters and to reflect on the deeply profound question "Is it really a truth?
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the world we live in: The Mind. These teachings of Buddha on True Mind reveal the uncontaminated, naturally pure mind always calm and still, endless. The lessons promote understanding of wisdom and emptiness in a new way finding energy that fuels the path. Having realized True Mind previously covered by thoughts, stories, dramas, and other attachments, with this understanding of True Mind one can be free and unburdened.
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.
In this Dharma talk, Fred contrasts the self-limiting qualities of the "fragile Western ego" concerned only about self with the Buddhist teachings and practices of No Self. Emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and learning to be "other-centered," the talk suggests ways of retraining the mind to develop an intelligent, loving, compassionate self.
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.
Today on Mother's Day, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us Thich That Hanh’s “A Flower for You” also called “A Rose for your Pocket”; Thay’s appreciation of motherhood. Thay reveals our deep interconnectedness with our mothers.
Fred teaches us ways we can develop a true loving, kind, and compassionate heart. He also teaches about working with the “inner critic”, the subject for the upcoming retreat.
Today on Vesak, the celebration of the birth of the Buddha, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the life and birth of the Buddha and the significance of the Buddha’s Enlightened Mind; that which made the Buddha a Buddha. We celebrate today because the Buddha opened the path to Awakening. He pointed out directly that all of us have this Awakened Nature.
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us a Buddhist prayer; "May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness. May all beings be free of suffering and the cause of suffering. May they never be disassociated from supreme happiness which is without suffering. May they remain in boundless equanimity free from both attachment to close ones and rejections of others."
Fred teaches us the personal implications of this prayer so it may have relevance for our own life.
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us Thich Nhat Hanh’s vision of community, and how a community can manifest as a family and a family as a community. Thay states "I continue to feel that sangha building is the most precious work that we can do as practitioners. The sangha is our community of practice. It is also our refuge. We rely on it and trust it to support our deepest aspirations, give us energy and inspiration on the path of practice."
Fred describes why he feels this topic is so important in today's world and how the class will be structured. Please visit floridamindfulness.org for more information and to register.
6-5-22
The teachings of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness were the foundation of the Buddha’s meditation system and are the basis for living a wholesome and happy life. Learning to be aware and present to both the experiences of one’s body and to the experiences of one's mind is the practice of full awareness.
4-10-22
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner share with us teachings on love and compassion. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us "It is my conviction that we cannot change the world, if we are not capable of changing our way of thinking, our consciousness. That is why awakening, collective awakening, collective change in our way of thinking, our way of seeing things is very crucial. And all of us can help to promote that. Our task is to come together and to produce, to try to produce a kind of collective awakening.
And there are many ways in order to bring about that kind of collective awakening and change. And that is why to learn to change our way of daily life, so that there is more mindfulness, more peace, more love, is a very urgent thing. And we can do that – beginning now, today."
Peace begins with me. If we want a peaceful world, we have to become peaceful people; free of anger and hatred. We have to uproot the seeds of anger and hatred within ourselves through mindfulness, love, and compassion.
03-20-22
In this talk from our four-day silent retreat, Fred shares teachings and practices from a practice text that Thay wrote to summarize the meditative path, "Fourteen Verses on Meditation." It presents the practices of Stopping (samatha), Deep Looking (Vipasyana) and the non-intellectual experience of Emptiness and Non-self as the means of liberation from suffering (Breakthrough).
1-9-22
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner share with us his experiences with Thich Nhat Hanh and share with us not only the history of Thay's Engaged Buddhism, but it's true meaning and how we can practice this engagement in all of our actions each and every day.
3-6-22
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner share with us a letter he received about FCM's beautification of the gardens. Fred responds to the letter in his talk examining intention, generosity, beauty, and what does it mean practice generosity and be of benefit. He asks us to reflect on the question "is creating beauty an act of generosity?"
Bankei was a Zen master who presented the path of awakening as something simple, practical, readily apparent and available to anyone who would follow his directions. Although his early meditation practice was quite arduous and strident, after his enlightenment, he realized that accessing the Unborn Born Buddha Mind was a much easier and relaxed process than he had imagined. In this final talk of our online retreat, Fred shares with us the teachings and, most importantly, the practices taught by this illustrious master to understand and experience this Unborn Buddha Mind that each of us possess.
12-19-21
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner relates the story of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens', "A Christmas Carol." Through this story, Fred explains how we can all transform the suffering we experience from living a life devoted to self into a happy, meaningful life filled with love and compassion for others.
12-12-21
The Florida Community of Mindfulness has a very clear vision and mission that it seeks to realize. It also has eight essential principles, or "core values," that underlie, motivate, shape and guide the community. In this talk to students of FCM, teacher Fred Eppsteiner more deeply describes the core values of Awakening and Community.
11-21-21
Dharma teacher Fred gives a talk during a retreat titled "Learning How to Love."
In this four-day retreat, Fred guided participants in the teachings and practices found in the Buddhist tradition that train our hearts and minds to become vessels of love and understanding. No longer hoping that a change of heart will happen spontaneously or become a random occurrence, we practice developing the ability to generate the heart of love and compassion in all life situations and relationships. We also looked at those historical mind states and self-centered orientations that sabotage the loving heart and establish barriers.
October 24, 2021
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues to shares with us early teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh found in Thay's writing "Zen Keys." Thich Nhat Hanh tells us "The aim of Zen Buddhism is a clear vision of reality, seeing things as they are, and that is acquired by the power of concentration. This clear vision is enlightenment."
October 17, 2021
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us early teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Thich Nhat Hanh tells us "The aim of Zen Buddhism is a clear vision of reality, seeing things as they are, and that is acquired by the power of concentration. This clear vision is enlightenment."
Thay goes on to teach, "Mindfulness is the energy that sheds light on all things and all activities, producing the power of concentration, bringing forth deep insight and awakening."
9-26-21
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner shares stories from the Chan/Zen traditions to help us realize how to put into practice in our daily life compassion and understanding.
9-19-21
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, shares with us Zen & Chan teachings on the importance of the present moment and how not all "present moments" are the same. Fred also shares with us about the Dharma Transmission Group, and several members of the group share their experiences from the past three years in the group.
9-12-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the meaning and significance of a Wisdom Retreat. We also hear sharing from four FCM members who were on this week's retreat.
Since the time of the Buddha, countless teachers have pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us spontaneously in living an awakened life. Directly experiencing the mind and all the things that appear in it (especially the self!) as empty of any substance or solidity allows one to break through into the totally open and spacious mind nature. This is the basis of true transformation.
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner shares the Three Fierce Mantas, powerful words that can cut through our confusion and anxiety in this life. Our resistance to the unfolding of life, especially those situations unwanted or unexpected, is a primary cause of our emotional ups and downs. Our difficulty in accepting the experiences of life and the people in it for what they are and imposing our own needs and wants fuels an unending circus of negative emotions and conflictual mind states. Our desire to live peacefully in the present moment and practice mindful living becomes continually up-ended by our habitual dysfunctional responses.
The Three Fierce Mantras ~ Tsangpo Gyare, 12th century Tibetan Buddhist Ascetic
“Whatever has to happen, let it happen!"
“Whatever the situation is, it’s fine!"
“I don’t need anything whatsoever!”
8-8-21
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, shares with us teachings and practices to nurture community and harmony in our relationships. Fred introduces us the the FCM Sangha Harmony Guide.
The FCM Sangha Harmony Guide has been developed to support our Sangha’s aspiration to be true community dwelling in harmony and awareness. It presents guidelines and expectations around how we aspire to be with each other, and how we can practice to resolve conflict and disharmony. It is intended for all participants in our Sangha: members and non-members, teachers and students, staff and selfless-service volunteers, brothers and sisters both local and geographically distant. It is grounded in the Five Mindfulness Trainings of the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
7-4-21
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, shares with us the importance of community and how Dharma transmission manifests through relationship between teachers and students. Fred also shares with us the meaning of the phrase "All people are created equal and entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" in relationship to the Buddhist teachings.
7-11-21
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, shares with us and comments on the Fourteen Verses on Meditation from the Plum Village chanting book "Chanting from the Heart", Thay's summary of his meditative path.
6-6-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the meaning and significance of a Wisdom Retreat. We also hear sharing from four FCM members who were on this week's retreat.
Since the time of the Buddha, countless teachers have pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us spontaneously in living an awakened life. Directly experiencing the mind and all the things that appear in it (especially the self!) as empty of any substance or solidity allows one to break through into the totally open and spacious mind nature. This is the basis of true transformation.
5-23-21
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, explains the profound significance in the Buddha's birth and Enlightenment. Celebrating the Buddha's birth, Fred share with us the meaning of the Buddha's Awakened Mind, and how we can reflect and celebrate on this most wonderful manifestation of wisdom and compassion in the life of the Buddha.
5-16-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues to share with us the significance of meditation gathas. Continuing from his last talk Fred shows us how to not just listen to the words, but to tend to the meaning of each gatha. These gathas are trying to "wake us up." Fred encourages us to stop and reflect on the meaning of each gatha.
5-2-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the significance of meditation gathas. In our community we hear morning chants, evening chants, before inviting the bell, or before a Dharma talk. Fred shows us how to not just listen to the words, but to tend to the meaning of each gatha. These gathas are trying to "wake us up." Fred encourages us to stop and reflect on the meaning of each gatha.
4-18-21
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.
Fred also shares some teachings on 'self' and readings from the Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive including Chandrakirti and Eckard Tolle.
4-11-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner opens with a sharing about the Order of Interbeing and sharings from this year's new OI aspirants. Fred also shares his reflections on this past year of the pandemic and how we can be aware of any fear and attachment to views that we may have been cultivating and watering over the past year in isolation.
Fred then shares several teachings from Zurchungpa, who's teachings are the focus of one of the current intensives going on this spring.
"No need to say you are interested in the Dharma if you have not turned your mind away from samsara."
"No need to meditate on emptiness if you have not countered attachment to the things you perceive."
"No need to practice meditation if you do not turn your mind away from desire."
"No need for fine words if you have not assimilated the meaning yourself."
"No need to apply the instructions if you do not have devotion."
~Zurchungpa
These teachings are mirrors for us to look at ourselves and our practice. Can we see ourselves more objectively in the light of these teachings?
2-7-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the affects of people being alone during this past year and how we see other people as potential dangers. We have all developed these bubbles around us and many of us have become weary or even fearful after this year. But now is a good time to renew by touching deeply this present moment.
2-28-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner introduces the Yogacara tradition's understanding of the structure of our mind and how it functions. He explains how understanding how the mind works in this way can help us be clear on how we need to work with our minds in order to free ourselves of suffering and develop a happy mind.
3-21-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner introduces us to the teachings, reflections, and practices from this weeks Uprooting Reactive Mind States Retreat that help us turn away from the worldly orientation that breeds reactive mind states and instead, learn how to create conditions in our mind where our wholesome aspirations of body, speech and mind can germinate and flourish.
Fred also shares with us the teachings of the Five Faculties, (Aspiration, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration, Insight) and how we can transform them into Five Strengths and Five Powers which can empower and strengthen our own path of practice.
1-24-21
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues his talk from the previous week on "Drugs, Sex and Rock n Roll and the Dharma." Fred responds to emails, conversations, and questions about how to practice in regards to our cravings and desires in this world. As one person wrote to Fred, "It seems marijuana use is rampant amongst young people and I see that even in people even my age, especially with the legalization in some states. It is scary because without the ability to see things as they really are and to accept things as they are as uncomfortable and painful as somethings are, it is understandable that the allure of intoxicants can be quite strong. Buddhism is so valuable in teaching us to examine our mind continually and to understand the nature of our suffering. If we really understand our suffering we will not look to worldly things to assuage that suffering."
1-17-21
In Buddhism, this human realm is considered the world of desire. The human mind endlessly desiring. But to be caught in the cycle of desiring is not freedom. It is the path of suffering. Because desire leads to craving, to wanting, to needing, to attaching, to grasping, and that is where suffering arises.
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner gives simple steps to get out of this endless cycle. Step one, understand what craving is wishing you. Step two, be mindful of it and name it when it arises. Step three, what is the mind state that is causing you to crave? Realize there is a quality of mind that is underneath this movement towards needing something. And we can ask ourselves “How do I take care of that afflictive emotion?”
1-10-21
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us early teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Before he does, Fred reviews the last few talks from the Dharma of Scrooge, and Beginning Anew. He encourages us to continue to begin anew, again and again. And shows us that this is how we heal and transform, right here and now by simply returning to our aspiration and intention and begin anew.
Thich Nhat Hanh tells us "If you want a peaceful world, become a peaceful person." Fred continues to ask us “how can we take personal responsibility to become that which we want the world to be?" How can our sangha manifest as a community of resistance in order to heal and transform the individual and society?”
12-17-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the importance of becoming mindful of what we consume and how it affects our mind. Using the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, he explains how we are constantly feeding not just our body, but our minds as well. If we look deeply at what we are taking in through the senses, as well as what we are ruminating on, and even what intentions we hold for our day, we will see a clear correlation between what we consume and how we feel. The more we become attuned to the connection between consumption and mind-states, the more we can shift to consuming that which helps us have healthy bodies and healthy minds.
12-20-20
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner relates the story of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens', "A Christmas Carol." Through this story, Fred explains how we can all transform the suffering we experience from living a life devoted to self into a happy, meaningful life filled with love and compassion for others.
12-13-20 In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the story of the Buddha’s Enlightenment and why it is at the center of Buddhism. And how there is no real true Buddhism without this awareness of Enlightenment. Because the whole stream of Buddhist teachings going back to the Buddha and continuing through all the great teachers and masters for 2,600 years all comes from Siddharatha’s Enlightenment.
12-6-20
In this talk at the Tampa Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner teaches us the Four Forces found in Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva's chapter on Diligence in order to energize our daily practice.
"... it is through the four forces of aspiration (a keen interest in the Dharma), self-confidence or steadfastness (whereby one does not go back on what one has begun), joyfulness (whereby one takes pleasure in what one is doing), and relinquishment (when this is called for), that we will be able to discard the three kinds of laziness and enhance our diligence. These four forces must in turn be supplemented by two kinds of strength: first, the earnest implementation of the principle of adopting and rejecting and, second, the control of one's body and mind."
~Kunzang Pelden's "The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech"
11-22-20
The path of Dharma practice and meditation isn’t always a smooth journey. Even as our mindfulness and self awareness grows, our progress on the path may be impeded by factors such as self doubt, wrong views, unresolved personal issues, or other obstacles. Seeing and skillfully overcoming these challenges will enable us to reap the fruits of our spiritual journey: a mind that is awake, clear, compassionate and wise.
In this talk from the three-day on-line retreat "Getting Unstuck: Meeting the Challenges of Practice", Fred shares with us how to identify common obstacles and investigate the places where we get stuck. Fred teaches us how to let go of wrong assumptions about ourselves and practice, release self-defeating behaviors and ineffective strategies, and energize our practice with new commitment, self-awareness and diligence.
11-15-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares and comments on the Buddhist approach to life which is very needed today. It’s not a philosophical or religious approach, but has to do with the unfolding of life, society, and the sustaining of our planet.
Fred shares with us the Buddha's teachings from the Kalama Sutta. In the Kalama Sutta the Buddha has given us a template for life. The Buddha has given us tools based on direct observation and direct experience. Fred encourages us to ask ourselves "Are we willing to accept the facts? Who do we believe? With so many saying so many different things, how can I know what to believe? How do we know what is true?"
Are we willing to check ourselves against reality? Do I live in reality, or in my interpretation of reality? Do I base my life on the facts?
We need to have a willingness to live in reality. We can ask ourselves, in my own life, how much do I operate from reality over beliefs? We need to touch reality and life deeply and directly.
11-1-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us teachings from the Order of Interbeing found in Thich Nhat Hanh's book "Interbeing: The 14 Mindfulness Trainings of Engaged Buddhism."
According to the Charter of the Order of Interbeing, the aim of the Order is to make Buddhism relevant to our own time. It's members study, experience, and apply it in a versatile and effective way in their own life and that of society. They have the aspiration of a bodhisattva to help others.
The Charter lists four principles as the foundation of the Order: nonattachment from views; direct realization on the nature of interdependent origination through mindfulness and meditation; appropriateness; and Skillful Means.
Fred examines and explains each of these principles while showing us how they can become relevant for our very life here and now healing the collective pain of America.
10-25-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the meaning and significance of a Wisdom Retreat.
Retreat is a time of concentrated investigation into the nature of mind - of reality. It has many aspects: meditations to stabilize and calm the discursive mind; meditations to analyze the mental and sensory continuum; meditations to directly experience the mind nature; meditations to completely rest the mind. Retreat is disciplined experience so that our ordinary habits do not take over and it is rhythmic so that the work of mindfulness, concentration and insight can continue to be refined day after day.
Since the time of the Buddha, countless teachers have pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us naturally in living an awakened life. Utilizing the pith direct teachings of Gyaltsap Rinpoche (1871-1926), a modern master of the Great Perfection tradition, during this five day retreat, Fred guided participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and show how to integrate this understanding into daily life.
10-4-20
In this talk at the Tampa Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner teaches us about the emotional pull of anger and how it is the source of so much suffering. Anger comes from the self, and reduces living beings to “enemies.” Fred explains wrathful compassion which arises through compassion and wisdom. This wrathful compassion is not self-concerned, and does not blame, separate, and hate others. It is out of concern for others, the world, and all living beings that this wrathful emanation arises.
Fred teaches how to navigate the world with so much emotionality in it, though cultivating stability and clarity by asking “Is it true?” Our practices of Dharma are not just “add ons” but are necessities for living a wholesome life. Fred encourages us to set up boundaries, for how we use technologies, devices, and media. We can as “is this nourishing me in wholesome ways?”
Fred explains how to ground ourselves in our present moment reality with our intentions and mindfulness. So that we can cultivate a peaceful and clear mind in which we can then use as the base for interactions in the world.
9-13-20
In this talk at the Tampa Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shows us how we can look at fire and the meaning of fire in a different way. Utilizing Dharma teachings such as the Fire Sermon from the Pali Canon, the Parable of the Burning House as presented in the Lotus Sutra, and from the Japanese Zen tradition, a story from Hakuin Ekaku of the 17th and 18th century.
In the Fire Sermon, the Buddha taught of the fire of desire and greed, the fire anger, the fire of ignorance, and the fire of anger. Fred asks us “Is it true that our mind is on fire?” and to investigate how we feed these fires in our real experiences, and shows us ways to no longer feed these fires which cause so much suffering in our lives and the lives of others. Are we cool or are we hot and burning?
9-20-20
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.
Note: The beginning question was not recorded.
9-6-20
During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.
8-30-20
The Buddha’s teachings tell us that our belief in and identification with self as a permanent, solid entity inhabiting a world with other solid selves is a fundamentally mistaken view. Moreover, the identification with this fictional entity and our overriding concern with protecting and satisfying it is the major source of our dissatisfaction, confusion and affliction in life.
In this retreat talk, Fred teaches that by learning to remove self from the life equation, we can significantly diminish our experience of life through the distorting filter of self-absorption and ego-centeredness. A life of greater ease, openness and happiness now becomes possible.
8-9-20
Fred continues teaching on the sixth mindfulness training from the Order of Interbeing, “Taking Care of Anger.”
Fred shares with us the two-fold training. First, when anger arises, we take care of it. Secondly, we recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness through the practice of looking deeply.
When we look deeply at anger, understanding has a chance to blossom. Understanding that everything is arising because of causes and condition. Out of that mind of understanding comes patience and freedom.
We look into the causes and conditions of the other person, we look deeply into their suffering, and with the eyes of compassion we ask “What can we do to relieve their suffering? How can we be of help?”
Fred encourages us to make an effort to transform the seeds of anger in us, and to be diligent in our practice to eradicate this destructive anger. We do not cultivate anger, nor do we nourish the anger in others and our society.
Fred 8-2-20
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues with the talk from last week on Patience. Fred shares with us teachings from the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing by Thich Nhat Hanh; "Taking care of anger."
Fred encourages us as individuals and for society, to do our best to understand anger and make the commitment to give up anger, impatience, annoyance and take up the practice of love, compassion, and understanding.
By putting down our story, thoughts, and anger in this moment I am clear. There is space. And from here I can clearly look at the suffering of the other person. Without the filters and projections of our own “stuff.” Now we can be present to them, and just look with the eyes of compassion.
The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Taking Care of Anger
"Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are committed to taking care of the energy of anger when it arises, and to recognizing and transforming the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger manifests, we are determined not to do or say anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking to acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We know that the roots of anger are not outside of ourselves but can be found in our wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in ourselves and others. By contemplating impermanence, we will be able to look with the eyes of compassion at ourselves and at those we think are the cause of our anger, and to recognize the preciousness of our relationships. We will practice Right Diligence in order to nourish our capacity of understanding, love, joy and inclusiveness, gradually transforming our anger, violence and fear, and helping others do the same.”
7-26-20
Patience comes out of understanding that each person and each situation is the way they are due to causes and conditions. Once one understands that everything including ourselves is the product of causes and conditions, we have the freedom to do things another way. In this moment, we can accept this reality as it is. How this moment is showing up is due to causes and conditions. In this place of understanding and acceptance, now there is space. Space in which there is room to make change, to respond to the world with wholesomeness, and to heal and transform.
7-19-20
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us early teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Thich Nhat Hanh tells us “What we lack is awareness of who and what we are, and what our true situation in life really is. And by this awakening we will discover our human sovereignty. The way of salvation is through a new culture in which humanity can discover itself. ”
Fred continues to ask us “how can we create communities of resistance to this cause in which so much suffering manifests? How can our sangha manifest as a community of resistance in order to heal and transform the individual and society?”
7-5-20
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues the topic of the importance of understanding karma and how it is the key to transformation. Fred shows us how to reflect on the teachings of karma; to reflect deeply on what is presented and ask ourselves “Is that true for me?”
All the things we dwell upon in our mind, are creating our experience of life. In the meditation hall, in our homes, in all our activities; are we aware that whatever we are “chewing on” in our mind is shaping our experience? Do I understand and believe this is true for me? Does it accord with my logic and experience?
Fred encourages us to spend time reflecting and looking deeply to see if we really do believe that I become what I think. I am the product of my thoughts and mind states. My experience of life is shaped by my mind. Is that true for you?
And if we have determined this is true for me, what does my mind dwell on all day? What do I think about all day? And is what I dwell on congruent with my aspirations for this life?
6-21-20
In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner speaks about the importance of understanding collective karma and how it is an essential thing we have to acknowledge. We all have conditions watering our seeds. Political forces, social forces, and many other conditions that are reinforcing people's seeds. Each of us carry these social historical conditionings and do not know it. But as we practice we begin to know this. Because the whole idea behind Buddhist practice is to realize and come back to this original state. And to realize that all the conditioning, all the view, all the ideas I have are simply views which are conditioned. And when all of this is stripped away, one can realize and experience that everyone is just like me. We do not exist in separation and independence, but are interconnected and inter-are with everyone else in world.
6-14-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner encourages us to turn our attention away from what is going on "out there," and instead look inward to see what is going on within our own minds. He explains how retreat is beneficial for developing clarity, wisdom and refining our patterns of thought as it gives us the time to do the work of looking inward without so many external distractions.
Retreat is a time of concentrated investigation into the nature of mind - of reality. It has many aspects: meditations to stabilize and calm the discursive mind; meditations to analyze the mental and sensory continuum; meditations to directly experience the mind nature; meditations to completely rest the mind. Retreat is disciplined experience so that our ordinary habits do not take over and it is rhythmic so that the work of mindfulness, concentration and insight can continue to be refined day after day.
6-7-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner teaches us how to be a true and honest friend to all. Fred shows us how non-violence can be way of life. He explains how we relate to things, is how we relate to the world. And shows us how we can move about the world with a degree of ease and humility. He goes on to explain how to welcome everyone and everything with humble gratitude, including criticism; allowing us to take joy in all beings. And how only in the face of violence do we become nonviolent.
5-31-20
In this talk at the Tampa Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains Applied Buddhism through the compassionate eyes of Thich Nhat Hanh and other Bodhisattvas's wonderful poems and verses written during times of great suffering. As Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in his poem, A Prayer for Peace;
"Help us remember we are just one family...
Help us rekindle our compassion and brotherhood,
and transform our separate interests
into loving acceptance for all.
May your compassion help us overcome our hatred.
May Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva’s love
help the flowers bloom again in the soil of our country.
Humbly, we open our hearts to you,
so you may help us transform our karma and water the flowers of our spirits...
I am determined to cultivate only thoughts
that increase trust and love, t
o use my hands to perform only deeds
that build community,
to speak only words of harmony and aid."
5-10-20
In this talk on Mother's Day, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the deep understanding of a mother's love and how we can practice love and understanding to not only love our mother but to see all beings as our mothers with the eyes of love and understanding.
5-3-20
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, explains the profound significance in the Buddha's birth and life. Fred share with us the meaning of being a Buddha, and how we can reflect and celebrate on this most wonderful manifestation of wisdom and compassion in the life of the Buddha.
4-26-20
Building off of the three previous talks Fred has given in the past month, Fred reviews the teachings and practices of the Three Fierce Mantas, powerful words that can cut through our confusion and anxiety in this life. Fred reviews the Five Remembrances and how we can reflect on them and put them into practice as well as the teachings on the six human "sicknesses" or "knacks" and how they habitually arise and manifest in our daily lives.
Fred asks us to examine our own life and practice and to ask ourselves "Am I Taking Dharma Medicine As Prescribed? Am I reflecting on the teachings, so they will be useful and of benefit to me?" Fred illuminates the three steps the Buddha gave to listen to the teachings, to reflect on the teachings, and then if they make sense to us; to practice them in our daily life.
4-19-20
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the six human "sicknesses" or "knacks" and how they habitually arise and manifest in our daily lives. If we examine our lives closely, we may notice these "knacks" such as the knack for neediness, for being naughty, for violence, for laziness and carelessness, for being dependent, and for wrong view.
However through awareness of our life and our actions of body, speech, and mind, we can not only see how these sicknesses afflict us; but can see a way to health and well-being. Fred goes into details on how we can travel the Dharma road to health by cultivating being satisfied with oneself and one's life; cultivating a knack for goodness and virtue; cultivating a knack for protecting life and nonviolence; cultivating a knack for diligence and discipline; cultivating a knack for self responsibility and empowerment; and to cultivate a knack for right view.
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues to explains that during this time of changing instability, and increasing sense of uncertainty, a Dharma practice is needed more than ever. Fred shows us how we can practice with the seventh mindfulness training of the Order of Interbeing "Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment."
The Seventh Mindfulness Training: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment "Aware that life is available only in the present moment, we are committed to training ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the present. We will practice mindful breathing to be aware of what is happening in the here and the now. We are determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that are inside and around us, in all situations. In this way, we will be able to cultivate seeds of joy, peace, love, and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in our consciousness. We are aware that real happiness depends primarily on our mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that we can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that we already have more than enough conditions to be happy."
March 29th 2020, Tampa
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains that during this time of changing instability, and increasing sense of uncertainty, a Dharma practice is needed more than ever. Fred shows us how we can stay calm on the boat during the storm. He asks us to examine what we are nourishing our mind with? We have to be careful with this overload of information. What is it really doing for our mind? We examine our life in this way for our own benefit and the benefit of others.
3-15-20
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner expands upon the Lojong teachings within the point "Transforming Adversity Into the Path of Awakening" in light of the COVID-19 situation.
Fred also shares the Three Fierce Mantas, powerful words that can cut through our confusion and anxiety in this life. Our resistance to the unfolding of life, especially those situations unwanted or unexpected, is a primary cause of our emotional ups and downs. Our difficulty in accepting the experiences of life and the people in it for what they are and imposing our own needs and wants fuels an unending circus of negative emotions and conflictual mind states. Our desire to live peacefully in the present moment and practice mindful living becomes continually up-ended by our habitual dysfunctional responses.
The Three Fierce Mantras ~ Tsangpo Gyare, 12th century Tibetan Buddhist Ascetic
“Whatever has to happen, let it happen!"
“Whatever the situation is, it’s fine!"
“I don’t need anything whatsoever!”
March 8, 2020 In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner introduces the Yogacara tradition's understanding of the structure of our mind and how it functions. He explains how understanding how the mind works in this way can help us be clear on how we need to work with our minds in order to free ourselves of suffering and develop a happy mind.
March 1, 2020
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a Zen koan titled "Zuigan Calls His Own Master" from "The Gateless Gate" (Mumonkan) a collection of koans compiled in the 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Huikai. Fred elaborated on the teachings which inspire us to "be awake", "don't be deceived", and to realize the masks we wear in this life. By practicing these wonderful teachings we all have the capacity to wake up and become Buddhas in this lifetime.
8-31-19 | Tampa
Our resistance to the unfolding of life, especially those situations unwanted or unexpected, is a primary cause of our emotional ups and downs. Our difficulty in accepting the experiences of life and the people in it for what they are and imposing our own needs and wants fuels an unending circus of negative emotions and conflictual mind states. Our desire to live peacefully in the present moment and practice mindful living becomes continually up-ended by our habitual dysfunctional responses.
In this day long retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led retreatants in the study and practice of "The Three Fierce Mantras."
January 18, 2020
In this talk from a Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains how to truly live in the present moment. Fred shows us how we can develop two different, yet inextricably connected capacities of living in the present moment: (1) cultivating stillness and stability of mind that is capable of being present in calmness to whatever is manifesting in the moment; and (2) bringing forth the ability with mindfulness, courage, and compassion to ride the waves of emotionality or uncomfortable sensations, with greater presence, intelligence and ease.
January 12, 2020
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains what it means to take refuge and asks the question, “where do we go for refuge?” Fred explains how we can go to refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha so that we can relax and know we are no longer lost in this life.
January 1, 2020
In the Buddhist tradition, the passing of an old year and the beginning of a new one is celebrated in a sacred manner.
During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, explains how we can acknowledge the passing of the year to facilitate a "letting go" of the past, to renew ourselves in the present, and to focus our intentions for the future.
November 10, 2019
In this Dharma talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues the series on the Lojong (Mind Trainings) teachings explaining how to train the mind to see clearly; seeing with the Wisdom of the Buddha utilizing slogan 51: "This time, practice the main points."
Daylong Retreat | November 23, 2019 In this Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner and Ken Lenington comment on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
Daylong Retreat | November 23, 2019 In this Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner and Ken Lenington comment on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
Daylong Retreat | November 23, 2019 In this Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner and Ken Lenington comment on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
Daylong Retreat | November 23, 2019 In this Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner and Ken Lenington comment on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
Daylong Retreat | November 23, 2019 In this Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner and Ken Lenington comment on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
December 15, 2019
In this Dharma talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues the series on the Lojong (Mind Trainings) teachings explaining slogan 44: "Learn the three difficult points."
December 22, 2019
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner relates the story of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens', "A Christmas Carol." Through this story, Fred explains how we can all transform the suffering we experience from living a life devoted to self into a happy, meaningful life filled with love and compassion for others.
June 9, 2017
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains that both happiness and unhappiness are conditions of our mind. He says that mindfulness is essential to develop so that we can be aware of whether we are cultivating wholesome or unwholesome mind states. In this way, we can be sure to cultivate only wholesome mind sates which give rise to a happy mind. He goes on to explain how we must practice where we are in our spiritual development, not where we wish we were. Although the path is about cultivating the skills that can take us from where we are now to where we want to be, we must begin with acceptance and unconditional love toward ourselves, exactly as we are right now.
Non-residential Retreat | October 2019
In this series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses The Four Seals of Buddhism. The Four Seals are what the Buddha taught to help people clearly understand the fundamental characteristics that ‘stamp’ all human experience. They are the Buddha’s understanding of reality and thus can be confirmed through our own experience. Through analytical introspection and direct observation, the essential truths of reality can be clearly seen by anyone who contemplates these Four Seals. This facilitates the birth of true wisdom so that we can live with greater discernment, intelligence and an enhanced ability to make wise decisions and choices in our life.
The Four Seals are impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and nirvana or true peace.
Non-residential Retreat | October 2019
In this series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses The Four Seals of Buddhism. The Four Seals are what the Buddha taught to help people clearly understand the fundamental characteristics that ‘stamp’ all human experience. They are the Buddha’s understanding of reality and thus can be confirmed through our own experience. Through analytical introspection and direct observation, the essential truths of reality can be clearly seen by anyone who contemplates these Four Seals. This facilitates the birth of true wisdom so that we can live with greater discernment, intelligence and an enhanced ability to make wise decisions and choices in our life.
The Four Seals are impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and nirvana or true peace.
Non-residential Retreat | October 2019
In this series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses The Four Seals of Buddhism. The Four Seals are what the Buddha taught to help people clearly understand the fundamental characteristics that ‘stamp’ all human experience. They are the Buddha’s understanding of reality and thus can be confirmed through our own experience. Through analytical introspection and direct observation, the essential truths of reality can be clearly seen by anyone who contemplates these Four Seals. This facilitates the birth of true wisdom so that we can live with greater discernment, intelligence and an enhanced ability to make wise decisions and choices in our life.
The Four Seals are impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and nirvana or true peace.
Non-residential Retreat | October 2019
In this series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses The Four Seals of Buddhism. The Four Seals are what the Buddha taught to help people clearly understand the fundamental characteristics that ‘stamp’ all human experience. They are the Buddha’s understanding of reality and thus can be confirmed through our own experience. Through analytical introspection and direct observation, the essential truths of reality can be clearly seen by anyone who contemplates these Four Seals. This facilitates the birth of true wisdom so that we can live with greater discernment, intelligence and an enhanced ability to make wise decisions and choices in our life.
The Four Seals are impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and nirvana or true peace.
Non-residential Retreat | October 2019
In this series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses The Four Seals of Buddhism. The Four Seals are what the Buddha taught to help people clearly understand the fundamental characteristics that ‘stamp’ all human experience. They are the Buddha’s understanding of reality and thus can be confirmed through our own experience. Through analytical introspection and direct observation, the essential truths of reality can be clearly seen by anyone who contemplates these Four Seals. This facilitates the birth of true wisdom so that we can live with greater discernment, intelligence and an enhanced ability to make wise decisions and choices in our life.
The Four Seals are impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and nirvana or true peace.
Non-residential Retreat | October 2019
In this series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses The Four Seals of Buddhism. The Four Seals are what the Buddha taught to help people clearly understand the fundamental characteristics that ‘stamp’ all human experience. They are the Buddha’s understanding of reality and thus can be confirmed through our own experience. Through analytical introspection and direct observation, the essential truths of reality can be clearly seen by anyone who contemplates these Four Seals. This facilitates the birth of true wisdom so that we can live with greater discernment, intelligence and an enhanced ability to make wise decisions and choices in our life.
The Four Seals are impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and nirvana or true peace.
October 19, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on the Ten Major Mahayana Precepts also found as the "Ten Precepts of a Zen Peacemaker" and how we can reflect & practice with them to be a guide leading us along the path in our everyday life.
October 6, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on two quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh's "Understanding Our Mind."
August 18, 2019
In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner discusses the unconditioned mind with slogans from "The Great Path of Awakening". The first slogan discussed was "Regard all phenomena as dreams." Although our experiences seem real, they are actually as impermanent as a dream. The second slogan discussed was "Examine the nature of unborn awareness." If everything is arising from the mind, what is the nature of the mind? Fundamental awareness is not all the things that you think about, it is the one that sees. That awareness is quiet, at ease, open, and unconstricted. These qualities are always available if we turn to that which is aware.
August 4, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner begins by discussing recent mass shootings from the point of view of understanding how external actions arise from people's minds. He further explains that if we truly want to change the external unfolding in our society, that the Buddha teaches us we must transform the minds of the people in that society. Then Fred goes on to discuss the importance of challenging our experience of reality. Although our 5 senses are always based in the reality of the present moment, our thinking mind constantly skews this direct experience, coloring it with our own conditioning and reference to our self. Because of this, Fred encourages us to challenge our experience by asking ourselves if our story about it is true. He further guides participants to look deeper into not only whether the story is true, but to see who is aware of the story in the first place.
July 28, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses the Yogacara model of the mind. He explains that although there is an objective, consensual reality that can be experienced through our five senses, most of the time we live in an unreality manufactured by our mind. He explains the 6th sense of the thinking mind, and how our thoughts, memories, stories, and emotions that color the reality of the present moment are arising from what is termed the storehouse consciousness. When we understand this process occurring unconsciously and cultivate mindfulness, then we can begin to challenge these thoughts about reality that often bring us suffering. The basic question to ask is "Is it true?". It is very important that we have the fundamental willingness to be aware that reality and our thoughts are not the same. Our meditation practice allows us to see the difference.
June 15, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on Khenpo Gangshar's text, Naturally Liberating Whatever you Meet: Instructions to Guide You on the Profound Path.
November 3, 2019
In this Dharma talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues the series on the Lojong (Mind Trainings) teachings explaining slogan 44: "Learn the three difficult points" and slogan 52: "Don't misinterpret" and how we can live our life in an Awakened way by changing our afflictive mindstates.
September 22, 2019
In this Dharma talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the Lojong teachings within the point "The Extent of Proficiency in Mind Training": 1) All Dharma has a Single Purpose and 2) Of the Two Judges, Rely on the Principle One so that we may be able to assess our own mind's development along the path.
June 30, 2019
In this series of talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to lovingkindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation. In this particular talk, Fred discusses the practice of Tonglen as it is presented in this text, and the slogan, "All Dharmas have a single purpose."
April 28, 2019
In this series of talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation. In this talk, Fred focuses on two of these slogans. "Drive all blames into one," and "Be grateful to everyone."
In this series of talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
In this series of talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
In this series of talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.
March 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner encourages participants to see where they have obstacles in extending the energy loving kindness toward others. While the practice of cultivating a loving heart is fairly straightforward, many of us can run into difficulties extending it toward other people, especially if we have historically had negative thoughts about a person, including ourselves. Fred explains how reflecting on other teachings that help us to understand ourselves, those around us, and why we relate to them the way we do can help break down these barriers and let the natural loving energy of the heart shine forth and shine on everyone equally.
Five Day Retreat | Jan 2019
In this four part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner elucidates key Buddhist teachings on how to work skillfully with unwholesome thinking which gives rise to much of our suffering, while cultivating wholesome thoughts that promote well-being and joy. Using primary Buddhist teachings, Fred explained that when we learn how to train our mind, our thinking can become a great support on this path of awakening, rather than an obstacle or something we need to get rid of. These teachings occurred during the 2019 Winter Retreat with the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
Five Day Retreat | Jan 2019
In this four part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner elucidates key Buddhist teachings on how to work skillfully with unwholesome thinking which gives rise to much of our suffering, while cultivating wholesome thoughts that promote well-being and joy. Using primary Buddhist teachings, Fred explained that when we learn how to train our mind, our thinking can become a great support on this path of awakening, rather than an obstacle or something we need to get rid of. These teachings occurred during the 2019 Winter Retreat with the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
Five Day Retreat | Jan 2019
In this four part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner elucidates key Buddhist teachings on how to work skillfully with unwholesome thinking which gives rise to much of our suffering, while cultivating wholesome thoughts that promote well-being and joy. Using primary Buddhist teachings, Fred explained that when we learn how to train our mind, our thinking can become a great support on this path of awakening, rather than an obstacle or something we need to get rid of. These teachings occurred during the 2019 Winter Retreat with the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
Five Day Retreat | Jan 2019
In this four part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner elucidates key Buddhist teachings on how to work skillfully with unwholesome thinking which gives rise to much of our suffering, while cultivating wholesome thoughts that promote well-being and joy. Using primary Buddhist teachings, Fred explained that when we learn how to train our mind, our thinking can become a great support on this path of awakening, rather than an obstacle or something we need to get rid of. These teachings occurred during the 2019 Winter Retreat with the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
February, 2019
In these talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the Buddhist teaching on the Six Realms of Existence and how we can use them as a sophisticated psychological model to help use understand what is happening in the world today. The six realms, which consist of The God Realm, Titan Realm, Human Realm, Animal Realm, Hungry Ghost Realm and the Hell Realms, can each be understood as suffering mind-states people find themselves in throughout their lives.
While some people are stuck in one of these states, many of us move between them throughout our lives. Understanding these realms, we can also look outward and l see that people in our lives, people in the world, all reside in one of these realms and their actions are motivated by the undercurrents that dominate each of these mind-states. This understanding can help us have compassion for people we encounter in this life while also motivating us to find another way to live.
Fred also touches on the teachers that show up in these various states of suffering to lead the way to more enlightened states of living.
February, 2019
In these talks, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the Buddhist teaching on the Six Realms of Existence and how we can use them as a sophisticated psychological model to help use understand what is happening in the world today. The six realms, which consist of The God Realm, Titan Realm, Human Realm, Animal Realm, Hungry Ghost Realm and the Hell Realms, can each be understood as suffering mind-states people find themselves in throughout their lives.
While some people are stuck in one of these states, many of us move between them throughout our lives. Understanding these realms, we can also look outward and l see that people in our lives, people in the world, all reside in one of these realms and their actions are motivated by the undercurrents that dominate each of these mind-states. This understanding can help us have compassion for people we encounter in this life while also motivating us to find another way to live.
Fred also touches on the teachers that show up in these various states of suffering to lead the way to more enlightened states of living.
January 12, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on Zen Master Dogen's writings on becoming a Buddha in this lifetime. Fred elaborated on Dogen's teachings which say that the following simple practices will lead one to Buddhahood. The practices enumerated include to refrain from unwholesome acts, to not be attached to birth and death, and to be compassionate to all sentient beings. By practicing these fundamental teachings we all have the capacity to become Buddhas in this lifetime.
January 20, 2019
In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on the teachings of Zen master Bankei. He explains how each of us were born with what Bankei calls the unborn Buddha Mind, which is a pure, untainted mind. Then, over time, we become deluded through conditioning by those around us. However, because we have, as our nature, this Unborn Buddha Mind, each of us has the capacity to see through this delusion and transform our minds. It is because we don't realize the preciousness of this Buddha Mind that we continually indulge in self-centeredness and mistake our thinking mind for our true mind. This attachment to thoughts and self is what makes it difficult to transform our lives and our mind. However, Bankei gives us simple, direct instructions to help us break free of this delusion.