James Baraz talking about Kalyana Mitta, exploring the idea, "What is 'Spiritual Friendship'?" The word "Mitta" is related to "Metta" or lovingkindness. Mitta means friend, Kalyana is Spiritual. So, KM is a Spiritual Friends group. This term is particularly used in the Theravada tradition to talk about the relationship we have with each other to have that third refuge in the sangha really flourish

In this conversational interview between Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, Shaila Catherine, and students in Insight Meditation South Bay's online Samyutta Nikaya course (www.imsb.org), Bhikkhu Bodhi offers teachings that illuminate the collection of suttas known as the Connected Discourses of the Buddha. Venerable Bodhi explains the historical background of this collection, comments on the cosmological world view embraced by early Buddhism, and offers skillful tips for studying the Discourses. He recommends approaching this collection as an exposition of the Four Noble Truths. He shares insights gained through his translation process, including his reflections regarding the choice to translate certain terms such as dukkha (as suffering or unsatisfactoriness), rupa (as form or materiality), and nibbida (as disenchantment or revulsion). The conversation explores the historical influence of the commentarial texts, and Bhikkhu Bodhi offers practical advise for both the beginner and seasoned reader of the Buddha's teachings. He recommends that readers take notes as they read, and nurture the five steps of contemplation: 1) listening to the teachings, 2) retain in mind what was heard, 3) repeat the teaching verbally, 4) examine the teaching with the mind, 5) penetrate it well with insight. The discussion concludes with reflections on how to approach a study of the Numbered Discourses of the Buddha (The Anguttara Nikaya).

This talk introduces a series of talks on the theme of happiness, and addresses a tension found in Buddhism between teachings that emphasis suffering, and teachings that encourage profound joy. In the Buddha's teachings a distinction is made between sensual pleasures, and pleasures that develop through wholesome states of virtue, renunciation, concentration, or insight. Happiness can be supportive for practice, and this talk encourages us to enjoy meditation, to open to natural pleasures, and to cultivate delight in the dhamma, but we must understand if the support for our joy is skillful. By reflecting on our virtuous acts, generosity, and meritorious deeds, and by recollecting the noble qualities of the Buddha, we can delight the mind, stimulate self-respect and self-esteem, and inspire our practice with a wholesome source of joy.

An uncluttered mind and heart brings great joy! Contentment is a state of serene ease, free from the fear of loss. Letting go and renunciation are taught as joyful practices, not penance. The Buddha taught his disciples to "abandon what is not yours, this will lead to your welfare and happiness for a long time". So we ask, what is "not ours"? And by implication, what is really mine? Joyful renunciation enables meditators to investigate the delusion of possessiveness until the mind if freed of all clinging to the impermanent experiences that really cannot be grasped anyway.

This is a talk on the theme of the joy of seclusion, followed immediately by a guided meditation on concentration using the breath as the focus. A concentrated mind is a happy mind. Joy, rapture, happiness, pleasure, sublime bliss, peacefulness, and equanimity are intrinsic to concentrated states. This brief talk introduces the four states of concentrated absorption known as the four jhanas and the immaterial states of infinite space, infinite consciousness, the base of nothingness or emptiness, and the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. In Buddhism, not only is the rapture and pleasure of attaining jhana a form of happiness, but the deep ease and equanimity of the immaterial states are considered to be refined forms of happiness.

This talk explores insight practice (vipassana) as a profound approach to the unsurpassed happiness of liberation. Awakening (realization of nibbana) arises through the clear seeing of mind and matter as they actually are. Insight into the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and empty nature of things leads to a profound disenchantment and dispassion toward what was previously clung to. Mind and matter will never the a reliable basis for lasting happiness. Seeing this, the mind releases its habits of craving temporary pleasures, and clinging to things that change. The insight into impermanence is the spark for the most profound state of peace and joy, and creates a pleasant dwelling in this very life, even for the Arahant. The talk is followed by a guided meditation that encourages the observation of changing feelings, formations, mental states and emotions—seeing the impermanent nature of all experiences.