Dharma Seed - Dharma Talks from Retreats

IMCW Fall Retreat: Coming to Rest in the Dharma

The two wings of the Dharma are opening to Wisdom and opening to Compassion, leading to the recognition of our true nature as Loving Awareness Itself. The rhythm of this retreat will breathe and dance within these two wings through guided practice.

This retreat will feel familiar to those of you who have been on a silent retreat before with sitting, walking, and guided meditations as well as dharma (wisdom) talks. Vipassana, or Insight Meditation, is a way of opening to life and seeing clearly the totality of one’s being and experience. The practice is based on cultivating a present-centered mindfulness, leading to an unfolding of our natural wisdom and compassion.

The focus of this retreat is to Come to Rest. To support this discovery, a sense of stillness and deep listening are essential. Noble Silence will be maintained throughout the retreat except during question/answer periods and interviews with the teachers. In addition to sitting and walking meditation practice, there will be sessions of mindful movement led each day.

2024-10-19 (7 days) Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC

2024-10-23 Meditation: Relaxing Back into Awareness 20:11
Tara Brach	Download Listen
When we fully inhabit our body, we discover the space and wakefulness of awareness itself. In this meditation, we rest in this open awareness, and when the attention narrows into thoughts, we practice relaxing back into the openness that includes passing sounds, sensations and feelings. We close with a brief offering of lovingkindness to our own hearts and our world (with community OMs – no bell at end).

2024-10-23 Meditation: Relaxing Back into Awareness (20:12 min.) 20:11
Tara Brach	Download Listen
When we fully inhabit our body, we discover the space and wakefulness of awareness itself. In this meditation, we rest in this open awareness, and when the attention narrows into thoughts, we practice relaxing back into the openness that includes passing sounds, sensations and feelings. We close with a brief offering of lovingkindness to our own hearts and our world (with community OMs – no bell at end).

2024-10-23 Cultivating a Courageous Heart – Part 1 48:27
Tara Brach	Download Listen
In the face of violence, hatred and loss, how do we handle the reactivity we feel? Our own anger, hatred and fear? These two talks offer guidance and practice in letting our own vulnerability be a portal to responding – to ourselves, each other and our world – with courageous, wise hearts.