Dharma Talk from the Monday Night Meditation Class at Spirit Rock on February 1st, 2016

Our practice is aimed at developing in three ways: brightening the mind, finding deep inner peace, and understanding the nature of things. The talk explores the role of wholesome qualities in this development: giving, conduct, lovingkindness, concentration, and right view.

This talk looks at different Sutta references on the four right efforts and how to work with them on retreat. includes an erroneous statement on karma. Please excuse. Oops.

Renunciation can seem like rejection or a penance. But true renunciation is more like relinquishment - letting go of what no longer serves us, allowing the mind and heart more space to open and find freedom.

Most of us have a strong habit of not measuring up to our idealized standards of who we would like to be. Understanding this habit with compassion and learning to skillfully work with it as practice can become a potent doorway to awakening.

One aspect of Right view is understanding when wholesome and unwholesome mental qualities are present. The 7 factors instruct us in what to practice and how to practice.