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Retreat Dharma Talks
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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| Regular weekly talks given at the lower Spirit Rock meditation hall |
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2007-05-23
Attending To Beauty
58:34
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Donald Rothberg
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Beth Gendler, author of Notes On The Need For Beauty, reflects in dialogue with Donald Rothberg and the Sanga, on the nature of beauty, “cleansing the doors of perception, and the place of beauty in transformative practice.”
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2007-05-30
Inquiry And Investigation - part 1
59:16
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Donald Rothberg
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Because we live in such a mental culture, we sometimes interpret meditation as getting rid of all thinking. But inquiry and investigation, often aided by language are crucial to Buddhist practice. We look at three practical methods of inquiry, using (1) mindfulness (2) deep listening, and (3) the lens of particular teachings.
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2007-06-06
Inquiry And Investigation - part 2
36:22
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Donald Rothberg
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In this second talk on inquiry, we review some of the material from last time, including the Kalama Sutta, inquiry as a factor of awakening, and the inquiry methods of (1) mindfulness, (2) deep listening and (3) working with teachings to help inquiry. Then we explore (4) radical questions and (5) deconstruction of fixed beliefs.
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2007-06-13
Inquiry And Investigation - part 3
43:33
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Donald Rothberg
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We continue exploring the nature and methods of inquiry, the freshness, openness, interest and energy it can bring to practice. We explore (1) mindfulness – based inquiry, (2) deep listening, (3) working with teachings (here particularly the Four Noble Truths and Precepts), (4) radical questions and (5) deconstructing fixed beliefs, with more time on numbers 3 – 5.
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2007-06-20
Summer Solstice And The Factors Of Enlightenment - part 1
50:21
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Donald Rothberg
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The qualities of the summer solstice: stillness (between days with more or less light), light and clarity, openness and space, warmth, and abundant energy, parallel in many ways the factors of enlightenment in the teachings of the Buddha. We explore these qualities through teachings, poetry and suggestions of practice.
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2007-06-25
Interdependence Day
57:58
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Jack Kornfield
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The 4th of July celebration of American Independence met with the Buddhist teaching of interdependence brings a deeper understanding of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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2007-06-27
The Seven Factors Of Awakening
50:39
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Donald Rothberg
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We explore in general the Seven Factors as a guide to our practice and as an experience of awakened being and presence. We examine each of the seven: mindfulness, investigation, effort, rapture or joy, stillness, concentration and equanimity, with suggestions of what to do to cultivate each quality.
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2007-07-04
The Dharma And Democracy
58:33
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Donald Rothberg
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Thich Nhat Hanh has written of how the encounter of Dharma and democracy will bring something new and exciting to the world. We explore 1. the beauty and dream of democracy and its resonance with the Dharma, 2. what currently needs attention in our would-be democracy and 3. a vision of how the connection of Dharma and democracy mature is vital for ourselves and our world.
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2007-07-18
The Path Of The Bodhisattva - part 2
53:16
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Donald Rothberg
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In this second session, we first review the path of the Bodhisattva, exploring both the Theravada and Mahayara roots and the qualities (paramis, paramites) developed. We focus on vow – intentions, patience, and meditation, looking at how to make the Bodhisattva training real in our daily lives.
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2007-07-25
The Path Of The Bodhisattva - part 3
56:33
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Donald Rothberg
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After an overview of the Bodhisattva path, and of the perfections of vow – intention, patience, and meditations, we look at the perfections of wisdom and skillful action. We end with an experiential exercise designed to a different situation.
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2007-08-01
The Path Of The Bodhisattva - part 4 and the Vow Ceremony
58:09
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Donald Rothberg
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We review the nature of the Bodhisattva, in its archetypal expression, its manifestation in extraordinary and ordinary human exemplars, and in ourselves. We focus on the qualities of wisdom and skillful action especially and end with a short ceremony in which the participants develop their own version of the Bodhisattva, and express some of them publicly.
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2007-09-05
The Basics Of Our Practice - Reflections On 3 Weeks In Mountain Retreat
56:28
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Donald Rothberg
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As we begin a new cycle after Labor Day, it’s helpful to identify the basics of our practice, which I do with reference to a just-completed 3 weeks on retreat in the mountains. We look at 1. Foundations – ethics, intentions, creating a space away from habits. 2. Development of concentration and awareness. 3. Heart – practice and 4. Integration in our everyday lives.
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