Dharma Seed - Dharma Talks from Retreats

Labor Day Insight Retreat

This retreat emphasizes quieting the mind, opening the heart, and developing clarity and depth of practice. Traditional instructions will be combined with a spirit of lovingkindness, and our time together will include a schedule of silent sitting and walking periods, guided Yoga/movement sessions, as well as practice meetings with teachers and daily Dharma talks. This retreat is for experienced as well as new students.

2026-09-02 (6 days) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2026-09-03 1st morning Mindfulness of Breath and Body (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 53:52
Howard Cohn	Download Listen
Bringing together awareness with body and breath so that contusions for calming and stilling can occur naturally, making it easier to notice all sense experience.

2026-09-03 Wise Effort in Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 61:35
James Baraz	Download Listen
Wise Effort as an important issue in practice. This talk explores finding the balance between too much and too little as well as understanding the four classical Wise Efforts described in the teachings.

2026-09-04 Instructions on Working with the Breath and Body (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 52:55
James Baraz	Download Listen
Instructions on working with the breath and body.

2026-09-04 The Gift of Hindrances (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 58:06
Dawn Mauricio	Download Listen
An exploration of the five hindrances (desire, aversion, sloth & torpor, restlessness, and doubt). This talk draws on classical teachings, personal stories, and the Buddha's water similes to ask what happens when we get curious about these states instead of fighting them.

2026-09-05 Morning Instructions: RAIN with Emotions and Thoughts (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 38:01
Dawn Mauricio	Download Listen
Use the RAIN acronym for emotions (not just unpleasant ones) and thoughts as a way to be with their direct or somatic experience.

2026-09-05 Everything is Here (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 62:33
Howard Cohn	Download Listen
You are the richest person on earth while the version of you that plays in your mind is a story of lack. Learn to see the difference between your actual experience and you mind’s stories. Believe what’s actually happening.

2026-09-06 Sunday Talk 28:21
Bob Stahl	Download Listen

2026-09-06 Impermanence, Letting Go and Showing Up (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 64:15
James Baraz	Download Listen
The Buddha said as much as possible the one reflection to keep in mind is impermanence which leads to letting go, equanimity and liberation. This talk explores the gift of opening and embracing impermanence.