Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: Marcia Rose's most recent Dharma talks: Recent Episodes
dharmaseed.org
I find teaching to be a very deep and powerful "no self" practice. When I connect with others during Dharma talks--in the intimacy of small groups, and while holding meditation practice interviews--I am continually reminded to know, and be, in a place of clarity, spaciousness and immediate presence. Being able to offer students such a place of connection is my greatest pleasure and inspiration, as well as the most appreciated challenge in my teaching practice.
For me, the real fruit of the teaching is seeing the beauty of a gradual, and sometimes sudden, unfolding of a heartmind into its true self; seeing the variety of ways a person's essential, creative energy of being flows into the world.
On one end of the teaching, I am excited and inspired by students who are deeply committed to long-term, intensive practice. On the other end (and of course they're connected), I find that working closely with people at the grass roots level--in a co-creative process of developing and sustaining Dharma practice, study and community opportunitiies on a day-to-day basis--is equally exciting and inspiring.
From the immediacy of presence flows a wisdom that naturally connects us to the way of things. This amazing gift of mindfulness provides us with a spaciousness where we can make appropriate, healthy and creative life choices. Rather than being caught up in our old, conditioned habits, mindfulness provides us with the gift of engagement at its best. This is the Gift of the Dharma that we offer to all beings.
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditations, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditations, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditation, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditation, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditation, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditation, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) Mini-Retreat including Dhamma Talks, Guided Meditation, Reflections
(Mountain Hermitage) The exploration and practice of Samatha/Concentration/Calm Abiding through Anapanasati/Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) A beautiful quote about what it means to live a simple life by French Philosopher: Andre Conte-Sponville
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What is equanimity? How is it cultivated through meditation practice? What are the two understandings that are the root of equanimity? All of this and more is explored in this Dharma Talk.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the wholesome and beautiful factors of mind that are associated with the development and fruits of concentration, metta practice and with the deepening and fruits of Vipassana practice with an emphasis on the Abhidhamma basket’s clear and refined disclosure of what happens in the mind through meditation practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Our heart/mind can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven…and so we cultivate and incline the mind towards the development and blossoming of a pure, wholesome and beautiful heart/mind. This reflection includes a reading of 'The Mind’ from the Dhammapada by the Buddha.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the release of the contractions of the heart…the past pains, the hurts, the anguish that we’ve taken in and taken on, as ‘mine’, as ‘me’, as ‘“I am”. This is what binds the mind & heart. Our commitment to our practice, our willingness to take the journey, is what affords the transformation. There’s a tremendous fullness of energy which is constituted by confidence, strength & clear straightforwardness that comes from a heart filled with Metta.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Guided Sit: “Allow yourself to enter into and experiment with this approach to developing concentration ...which is a VERY simple, direct & potentially powerful practice…though while it’s simple, it’s not always so easy.” A one hour, very clear guided sitting meditation, leading one through the initial process of developing concentration via the practice of Anapanasati with learning to clearly and gently focus the attention on the ‘anapana spot’.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Patience is the most important and necessary quality that is of great benefit in relation to the development and blossoming of the practices of Concentration and Mindfulness. Exploring the various manifestations and fruits of cultivating the mind and heart of Patience in this morning reflection.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) A broad and detailed overview of the teachings and the practice for developing Samatha/Concentration. Exploring the process and the fruits of developing the mind through cultivating concentration.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Why do we bow? Who and what are we bowing to? Reading of a short section about bowing from Barry Lopez’ book called Arctic Dreams.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the development, blossoming and maturing of the Equanimity Factor of Enlightenment along with two particular insights that are the roots of Equanimity.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the three energizing and the three calming Factors of Enlightenment along with the Factor of Mindfulness which is what keeps it all in balance.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the nutriments…particular ways that we can we can nurture the development, fulfillment, and maturation of concentration.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the importance, the process and the fruits with developing concentration which is an essential aspect of our mindfulness-based meditation practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring this 5th Factor of Enlightenment, Tranquility…our meditative experience of smoothness, quietness, gentleness, and stillness of body, mind, and heart.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the many opportunities we have in this Dharma journey to know the joys that are inherent in practice…and to take delight on our own practice and to also feel joy for other in relationship to their practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring this 2nd Factor of Enlightenment as the active component of Mindfulness, with Investigation being the primary root for the arising of Wisdom.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the ways that great dedication, enthusiasm, a balanced exertion, and a wholehearted endeavor nurture our practice in this process of awakening.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring how we can ground our practice in mindfulness of the truth of the way of things…the truth of the natural laws.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring mindfulness of the mind from the perspective of our experience of the transformation and relinquishment of affective states of mind.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the freedom that is available with a clear and present mindful awareness of the ‘feelings’ of pleasant, unpleasant and neutral.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Faith: a wholesome & beautiful mental favor that develops & blossoms through our practice. “Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders." — Henry David Thoreau
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the meaning and depth of mindfulness as the 1st Factor of Awakening. Exploring the first domain of mindfulness: mindfulness of the body.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What are the seeds that bring you to spiritual practice? What is life about? What is death…its significance, its meaning: Can I be happy? How can I live gracefully, peacefully in this life with all the challenges & difficulties in the changing world…with all the challenges within me?
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) From Barry Lopez's book "Arctic Dreams" - the section called bowing. Short reflection
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Qualities of mind and heart that are developed through concentration, Metta, and vipassana practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Instruction with an introduction for practicing Metta for a difficult person.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A brief reflection of faith from the Buddha Dharma understanding, what is the difference between faith and belief and its place in our practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A talk of a number of stories that illustrate the hearts release from long conditioned constrictions and identifications that keep us from unconditional connection with others and ourselves.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Four practice techniques towards encouraging and supporting the capacity to access and sustain attention on the breath at the Anapana spot for concentration practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Metta practice instructions for offering Metta to ones' benefactor... A being, human or otherwise who has been of great benefit in one's life.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A comprehension exploration of the samatha/ anapanasati teachings and practice in the context of the breadth and the Buddha's teachings and practices.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Exploring the wholesome states of mind/heart associated with the development and fruits of concentration, insight and metta practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A comprehensive exploration of the development, context and the fruits of samatha/concentration/anapanasati as taught by the Buddha
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) This talk explores “The development of the mind” as it occurs with the cultivation of concentration and the transformative power of the unification of Concentration and Vipassana/Insight.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What are the seeds that bring you to spiritual practice? This Dharma talk explores many aspects of our human experience right here and now and on back through time that can bring an ardency/a passion for entering into and deepening our meditation practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The teaching, relevancy and understanding of Karma, which is one of Buddhism's central themes, is really quite accessible and even quite ordinary. It's not something to be believed in, but rather it is to be understood as we come to see and know it in operation. Karma is 'action' or 'deed'. In the context of the Dharma it is defined as "action based on intention". This talk explores how through clarifying and purifying our intentions via mindfulness based Buddhist meditation practice we can free ourself from the actions that repeatedly throw is into suffering……free ourself from repeatedly being re-born into the realm of suffering.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The beginning of a healthy response, rather than unconsciously dropping into old reactive patterns in relationship to afflictive emotions is born out of clearly connecting and a non-judgmental knowing rooted in kindness 'this is how it is in this present moment'. We explore a few specific hues of the rainbow of emotional states in this Dharma Talk.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The deep knowing & living with impermanence is a gateway to freeing the mind – freeing the heart. The only thing that we can really know for sure is the constancy of change. It's the most basic fact of our existence. Nothing lasts…nothing stays the same. So paradoxically the only thing that we can hold onto is the intuitive insight of impermanence, which arises out of direct experience within our practice and eventually brings a great relief and lightness into our life. We no longer need to haul around such a heavy load.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What are the seeds that bring you to practice? What moves and inspires you towards practicing…and what along the way of your practice keeps urging you towards sustaining & deepening in your practice? Samvega is the movement of the heart/an inner response…both within our formal meditation practice as well as outside of our formal practice times.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) 15.32 minutes of silence preceding the reflection
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Brief description of talk: We usually think of generosity as the practice of offering…but in its fullness it's really both offering and receiving. This Dharma talk deeply explores this 'fullness' of generosity.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Offering a beautiful earth centered excerpt from Rainer Maria Rilke's magnificent poem, The Ninth Duino Elegy
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) In this talk we explore Equanimity as one of the Factors of Awakening; as one of the Brahma Viharas (Divine Abidings) and as one of the two Jhana Factors in the 4th Anapana Jhana.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Do you live your life from a conditioned idealized concept of perfection and endlessly strive to attain this…or from the other side of the coin of habitual self-judgment? Offering another view of perfection in this brief reflection.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) A brief exploration arising out of the Buddha's instructions: "It is in this way that we must train ourselves, by liberation of the self through love. We will develop love. We will practice it. We will make it both a way and a basis, take our stand upon it, store it up and thoroughly set it going." Samutta Nikaya
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) This talk explores a few of the difficult or afflictive states of mind that arise in our human experience and some effective way to work with them through the powerful tools in our practice of concentration, mindfulness, metta and compassion.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Getting really interested in what it is to be this body, this mind and heart as it unfolds in the light of mindful awareness.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Why do we bow? What or who are we bowing to? Author and naturalist Barry Lopez writes about these questions in a very essential way - directly from his own experience.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) How ultimately and mindfully connected are you to these most basic and universal experiences...your body in its elemental nature. This talk includes a guided meditation to put you in touch with the direct experience of the body as earth, water, fire and air elements
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Feeling of pleasant, unpleasant or neither pleasant nor unpleasant/neutral arise in response to every contact that comes through each of our sense doors. Feelings are what conditions our mind to try to hold on to the pleasant or push away,avoid or ignore the unpleasant. Mindfully observing feelings with more equanimity is a very helpful door to open our door way out of suffering
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What are the "seeds" that bring you to spiritual practice? Samvega is the urgency to practice and an urgency to awaken. It's the movement of the heart towards finding a solution to our human predicament.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) It's a heavy load to carry our 'self' around…the myriad permutations of our thoughts (all the hopes and fears), the feelings, opinions, perceptions and beliefs…believing that they are 'mine, 'me, 'myself. When we begin to taste the truth of 'not-self' , often there is a feeling of great relief. Therein lies the potential for peace of mind. This Dhamma talk includes two short guided meditations.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Equanimity is the equipoise…the balance or equilibrium between the opposing forces in the mind of the desired and the undesired. It is that point of balance in the middle of the see-saw of life and is based on a clear presence of mind. Two insights that are the basis of equanimity are the understanding of karma and insight into the nature of not-self. Both of these understandings are explored in this talk in relationship to equanimity.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) There is a great release of the contractions of the heart... the past pains, hurts and anguish that we've taken in and taken on as "mine", "me", as"I am". It it's not so easy to relinquish these habituated patterns of our-self. Our commitment to our practice and willingness to take the journey is what affords the transformation. Not so easy at times, but well worth it.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Closing talk - A reflection of the many ways that life and practice in a retreat setting supports and protects life in a larger world outside of the retreat setting.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Exploring the purifying and beautiful current of concentration/Samatha...the teachings current of concentration/Samatha...the teachings and the practice. ...the basis, the process and the fruits of concentration.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Through the looking-glass of the Dharma – looking in the mirror at myself, looking at myself looking in the mirror at myself…seeing the truth of ‘self’ – looking at myself in the mirror. Only by training oneself again and again in sensing, seeing and knowing the presently arisen thoughts, sense door experiences, feelings, mind states and perceptions as mere impersonal processes, can the power of deeply-rooted egocentric thoughts, habits and self-centered inclinations be loosened and relinquished. It’s through the actual direct experiential confrontation with the fact of ‘impersonality’ that we come to know ‘not-self’…’no-self’. And then for a moment or two, it’s not all about ME. For a moment the heart/the mind is free.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) We experience compassion as the trembling, the quivering of the heart in response to suffering…ours or that of another being. The aim of compassion practice is to gently turn the heart/mind towards suffering and then with understanding and courage open to and move towards the alleviation of suffering…with recognition, acceptance and respect in relationship to our limitations at any given time. This talk explores compassion through many different stories.
(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center) What brings us to spiritual practice? What has moved, inspired and urged you to find a clear and wholesome ‘other way’ than feeling overrun with old reactive habit patterns of sadness, fear, attachment, anger, and confusion.? Samvega is the movement of the heart/an inner response towards an urgency to practice and an urgency to awaken.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring a few of the difficult or afflictive states of mind that arise in our human experience...fear, anger, unwholesome desire and attachment; also exploring some of the ways the Buddha encourages us to work with them in our practice, in the light of purification and the liberation of the mind and heart.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What brings us to spiritual practice? What has moved, inspired and urged you to find a clear and wholesome "other way" than feeling overrun with old reactive habit patterns of sadness, fear, attachment, anger and confusion? Samvega is the movement of the heart - an inner response towards an urgency to practice and an urgency to awaken!
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Exploring what we learned in this retreat and how it translates as good support and protection in out lives in the larger world.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) There is tremendous fullness of energy constituted by great confidence, strength and very clear straight forwardness that comes from a loving heart... that comes from the heart of Metta.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Without a doubt there is an ancient and subconscious urge for creative life and inventiveness in every single one of us from our beginnings. Engaging in the creative process can be a wonderful vehicle towards freeing up honesty and authenticity... all of which helps create the conditions that allow direct revelation of insight into "the way of things"
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) How intimately and mindfully connected are you too these most basic and universal experiences?... This body in its elemental nature... A composite of the earth, water, Fire and air elements? This talk is an exploration of the Buddha's primary teaching and a guided meditation in conjunction with this teaching.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The only thing that we can know for sure is the constancy of chance. It's the most basic fact of our existence. Realization of the truth of impermanence is a gateway out of feeling the separateness - the suffering of self-centered existence. We begin to understand that we are intimately woven into endlessly changing, reflective web of life.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The Buddha offers us the recipe of cultivating a strong and clear concentration, mindfulness and investigation rooted in kindness that allows us to learn to experience the extremes and the subtleties of difficult emotions without getting caught by them. It's as though we learn to see them so clearly that we see through them and see their nature, just like we see through the colors of a rainbow.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Taking a look at the active force of samadhi/concentration... the unperturbed, peaceful and lucid state of mind attained by the practice and process of mental concentration.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) This talk points out in a number of ways, that what is asked of us in practice is to simply recognize that everything we think of as 'our self', everything we believe to be 'our self'; everything we think of and believe to be other 'selves' simply just doesn't exist in any independent, permanent, unchanging, solid or substantial way.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring kamma as a very accessible aspect of the Buddha's teaching... kamma as intention or motivation, which includes will, choice and decision... the mental impetus that leads to actions... both creative and destructive actions.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) This talk explores ways that Metta practice helps to release the contractions of the heart/mind and the tremendous fullness of energy which is constituted by confidence and strength and a clear straight forwardness that comes from a loving heart.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Learning how to properly apply the 3 active forces of purification - sila (virtue), samadhi (concentration), and panna (wisdom) is essential to our practice. this talk explores the active force of samadhi (concentration)... its basis, the process of its development, and the fruits of concentration.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Taking practice out of the intensive retreat and settling into the larger world of our daily lives.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Review of instructions given in the last three days. In addition, a reflection on recognizing vitaka, vicara, piti, and sukha. When they are being experienced and to what degree with acknowledgment and appreciation.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) An overview of the teaching of sila/virtues, samadhi/concentration and panna/wisdom - insight with a detailed emphasis on the practice and fruits of concentration practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Can we look into the clear mirror of the dhamma? Can we face the "looking glass" with a willingness and humility and keep looking into this mirror of our 'self' without interpretation or judgement? It is only then that we begin to see and know the impersonality of presently arisen thoughts, censations,feelings and states of mind. Can we keep looking until we begin to experience and know that it's not all about "me" and teach the heart/the mind of freedom.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) An inner wealth of generosity is a powerful medicine. As our heart heals and opens the wholesome energies of giving and receiving grow and flow within us. We begin to live this seemless circle quite naturally as who we are.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring and recognizing the joy that has no 'self' at the center of it... the momentary joy of the pure heart for/with another's happiness, another's success.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Are you looking in the right place and in the right way for the happiness that you are seeking? Mindfulness of feelings: pleasant, unpleasant or neutral feeling tone Mindfulness of the mind: mental factors/the colorations of consciousness Mindfulness of Dhammas: seeing & knowing experience through the doors of the truth/the way of things
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What is it that moves and inspires us towards practice? What along the way of our practice keeps urging us towards sustaining and deepening our practice? Exploring the roots of SAMVEGA from the time of the Buddha on up into present time.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Can we look into the clear mirror of the dhamma? Can we face the "looking glass" with a willingness and humility and keep looking into this mirror of our 'self' without interpretation or judgement? It is only then that we begin to see and know the impersonality of presently arisen thoughts, censations,feelings and states of mind. Can we keep looking until we begin to experience and know that it's not all about "me" and teach the heart/the mind of freedom.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The Buddha offers us a recipe for cultivating a strong and clear mindful attention that's grounded in kindness and patience that meets the experience of the moment and sees it clearly, just as it is. We can learn to experience afflictive emotions without getting caught up or swept away and overcome by them. It's as though we learn to see them so clearly, that we see through them, just like we see through the colors of a rainbow.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Paying attention...a non-judgemental, non-manipulative, non-grasping, non-rejecting, kind of attention to the body in the body...just the body as such...not one's feeling, ideas, concerns, or interpretations about it. How do we know the body? How are we established in this first domain of mindfulness? Are you looking in the right place and in the right way for the happiness that you are seeking?
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) What moves you towards spiritual practice? We are stirred and moved and inspired to practice through various experiences that goes on within our own body-mind process and by phoenomena that goes on in the world around us. Listen to stories of people being stirred to a sense of samvega-spiritual urgency from the time of the Buddha, right up to stories from our time-now.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) The aim and the fruit of generosity and compassion are two fold. We give to help and to free others; and we give to help and to free ourselves. This is the fullness, the seamless circle of compassionate generosity.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Can we relinquish our preference of picking and choosing? Can we be with phenomena…whatever it is, just as it is? This is our practice. The truth is lying in wait to be seen and known right in this moment.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Forgiveness allows us to reclom the energy that's been bound up in the past or the imagined future. Forgiveness practice can be transforming in very deep ways,
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Every thing changes...the only thing that we can know for sure... the only thing that we can 'hold on to' is the truth. Direct experience of impermanence is the gateway to liberation.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Seeing clearly, seeing the true nature of things through the rainbow of ones emotional states--A doorway to liberation.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Can we relinquish our preference of picking and choosing? Can we be with pheonomena...whatever it is, just as it is? Can we begin to see and realize the true nature of things in 'every kind of birth'? Can we wander into the natural state of the equipoise of an undisturbed mind?
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) 'Looking on' evenly with balance at whatever occurs within us and around us is the great heart of equanimity. As insight unfolds and deepens, equanimity grows.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) "Ehi Passika-come and see" investigation is the active aspect of mindfulness. It brings a clear discernment of our body-mind experience. Investigation is what lights up the truth for us.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) As long as we are resideing and clinging to the realm of "I","ME","MINE", and other, we are residing somewhere next door to reality & it creates great suffering. We can look into the mirror of the dhamma and see the painful contraction that accompanies"ME"&"MINE"&"THEIR'S" and let go & come to know the truth of interconnectedness & the reality of no separate, no solid, no static "self", and take the great relief & ease in this truth.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring some of the breadth and depth of the great blessings of our precious human existence, in light of our life itself being the most precious and rare opportunity to practice the Dharma of awakening.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring the great intimacy of mindfulness…where and how and why do we establish a true present- moment attention.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Exploring through stories--old and new--the unifying energy of metta, this most subtle and powerful energy. Why and how is the capacity for an unfettered unconditional connection in relationship to ourselves and others essentially necessary for our dharma practice and in the whole of our life? A question with many obvious answers and some surprising answers that show up as our practice unfolds...a talk telling of exemplary stories.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Compassion - one of the two wings of liberation: It's the heart felt connection to beings, and our way of being in this world that ensues from this. Compassion: Arising out of a clear and deep understanding/knowing of Dukkha (the unsatisfactoriness of all phenomena); the root cause of this suffering and the way of it's end. Compassion--the heart of tenderness, openness and great strength. As we turn our capacity to unconditionally open to and accept towards suffering, we connect with our courage and strength to genuine care and move towards the alleviation of suffering.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The enlightenment factor of tranquility, the calm serenity that begins to evolve out of the connection, interest and joy in seeing things more directly and clearly, brings a quieting of the disturbances of mind and body. Tranquility prepares the mind for deepening concentration, which is the 6th enlightenment factor. With a strengthening of moment-to-moment concentration, clarity and insight arise quite naturally.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Spiritual joy-bliss-rapture makes the mind/the heart bright, light, pliable, and open. It's rooted in our practice along the way of this journey to awakening. This bright and buoyant energy of mind and body helps to inspire and sustain the effort that is needed for practicing. The bright and buoyant energy of joy, this "lightness of being", and the arising calm and quiet of a tranquil body and mind are essential aspects and fruits of this path along the way to awakening.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The Buddha's invitation to us is "to come and see" for ourselves what is true. Investigation is the "activity" of mindfulness. It's the activity of discernment. It illuminates the object. When things are brightly lit, what is already present is then clearly seen and known, and confusion is dissipated. "EHI PASSIKA" "Some and See" investigation is the active aspect of mindfulness. It brings a clear discernment of our body-mind experience. Investigation is what lights up the truth for us.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Mindfulness is needed in all instances. It has the capacity to connect with and accept whatever phenomenon is presenting itself at any of the six sense doors without judgement, evaluation or the attachment of self-identification. Mindfulness is the "mother" of all the factors of enlightenment. It offers the great intimacy with experience that is needed for the door of truth to open.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Integrating practice into the whole of our life; this beautiful noble path of awakening as a great support and a great protection for our life as our practice.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) There is great power and strength in the capacity to connect within our self and to others. Directly, clearly, patiently and fearlessly with a heart/mind that is free of ill-will and rooted in lovingkindness and mindfulness.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) An inner wealth of generosity is powerful medicine. An antidote to the anguish and confusion that's generated through the training to accumulate and fixate upon and cling to our accumulations, generosity a seamless circle - giving and receiving. It feeds and grows itself.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Instructions - Mudita Practice. Short reflection with oneself - good, helpful, skillful things we've done. Mudita phrases with - some it's easy to rejoice for/with--------and a benefactor, a friend, a family member, fellow yogi, all yogis on retreat.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Mudita - the natural response of the heart - our capacity to see joy in relationship to another's happiness, success, beauty, goodness or well being. Exploring and recognizing the joy that has no 'self' at the center of it… the momentary joy of the pure heart.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Cultivating a strong and clear mindful attention that meets the experience of the moment allows us to see the afflictive emotions clearly.. To see through them like we see through the colors of a rainbow. This 'seeing' brings with it the possibility of the transformation of afflictive states into wholesome energies.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Reigning the mind in from all it's myriad distractions… cultivating the power of concentration in order to see clearly. Pay attention in a non judging, non manipulative, non grasping, non rejecting attention - the magic of mindfulness, taking us out of illusion directly into reality.
(Mabel Dodge, Taos) "When the heart enters into the mind, the mind then has quite a different quality." Learning to abide in our practice and in our life as a whole with kindness and patience--the heart of metta--we are then able to respond rather than react to what life offers. Stories woven into this talk are from the time of the Buddha and from our contemporary time that exemplify what the Buddha called "The Lion's Roar."
(Mabel Dodge, Taos) The essential aim of the Buddha's teaching is toward the understanding that comes through our own direct experience; that there is no person who is a 'self' and no thing- nothing- that is a separate self.
(Mabel Dodge, Taos) Through deep understanding, we can find the end of the restlessness of constant craving and resistance; the end of suffering.
(Mabel Dodge, Taos) Change is the fabric of life; it's very essence. How often do we forget, ignore or distract ourselves from this natural truth and then suffer the consequence? Clearly seeing and accepting impermanence is truly the acceptance of life.
(Unknown) Change is the fabric of life; its very essence. How often do we forget, ignore, or distract ourselves from this natural truth and then suffer the consequences? Clearly seeing and accepting impermanence is truly the acceptance of life.
(Mabel Dodge, Taos) This practice is a path of inquiry, investigation and discovery that we fully participate in and experience for ourselves. By the power of our own attention-mindful awareness, with great interest and energy, we develop a concentrated clarity of presence, taking the time to look very deeply at our own experience of body, mind and heart. Through this process we are able to see and experience the nature of things. This is what leads to the deepest wisdom and happiness. This is what leads to awakening/liberation..
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) "From listening, spontaneously meditation arises. From listening, a depth, a well of virtues: From listening, truth, fulfillment, knowledge, ……those who hear flower forever." 16th century Indian poet, Nanak A 45 minute sitting meditation, beginning with Nanak's poem and then listening/hearing Tibetan bells, Japanese mok-tok, and other bell tones with alternating moments of silence.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Lovingkindness, compassion, empathetic/appreciative joy and equanimity. We weave a tapestry of clear, caring, balanced and appropriate responsivity through our practice. This growing and maturing tapestry made up of these perfectly natural capacities of heart weave into the whole of our life and into all of our relationships.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Recognizing each of these seven factors, and how they reflect each other and interweave in both the prelude to and fruit of liberation.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) recognizing each of these seven factors, and how they reflect each other and interweave in both the prelude to and fruit of liberation.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) "The greatest gift is the act of giving itself" Generosity is the seed--the foundation of spiritual development. It is the ground of compassion. It is a requisite of Liberation. Generosity--the practice of non-clinging--puts us directly in touch with the reality of interconnectedness. We give to help free ourselves. We give to help, bring joy to and to free others. And, we learn to receive graciously and with trust, just what is given..
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Introduction to mudita-sympthetic joy, and practice instructions.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) As self-centeredness fades away, the strong energies of emotional states are purified and transformed.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Experiences and expressions born out of unconditional love and compassion: "The Lion's Roar" of confidence, strength and straight forwardness.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) we offer - we receive… cultivating generosity in a thousand different ways; a powerful antidote for the energies that bind us.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) "May I, may you, may all beings be free from suffering." The Buddha's teachings and practices of cultivating a deep, expansive tenderness of heart, grounded in immeasurable impartiality--the heart of compassion--which transforms the way we relate to ourselves and to others. With the great strength and trust in our ability to bear witness to and face suffering, we are able to offer appropriate help in relationship to the pain, the anguish and the confusion of all beings, ourselves included.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) given at the Family retreat: the acceptance of impermanence/change opens the door to liberation and the deepest compassion.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) given at the Family retreat: the possibility of transformation in the midst of the many hues of our emotional states.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) the ever expanding seamless circle of the kindness and generosity from the ancient Buddhist world; up to this very moment.
(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) traversing the landscape of our practice in whatever forms it takes - our family life - parenting as practice as well as "on the cushion". The fadctors of mind/heart needed for awakening are available in any moment.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) "seeing" through the strong energies of mind with a compassionate, mindful awareness
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) appreciative joy, equanimity - the generous heart
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) taking a close look at this energy of the heart; what it is experientially and what it isn't and it's opposites
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Mindfulness and wisdom in the midst of family life.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) shrinking the dark obstructive energies of mind with the light of awareness
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) wisdom naturally arises through the power of a focused mind and the clear attention of mindfulness
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Breathing into our hearts with patience and friendliness.
(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) a gently guided series of simple stretches and movements; exploring, experiencing and abiding in the 1st Foundation of Mindfulness--the body. We 'wake up' through a deepening mindful relationship to the body, growing in acceptance, clarity, spaciousness, and equanimity, with penetrating insight into the truth of ourselves.