|
|
 |
Please support Dharma Seed with a 2025 year-end gift.
Your donations allow us to offer these teachings online to all.
|
|
|
|
|
The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
|
|
|
| |
|
Dharma Talks
|
2017-10-03
Kisa Gotami: Buddha's Deep Compassion Toward Women
40:55
|
|
Ayya Santussika
|
|
|
In this fourth talk in a lecture series on the Great Disciples, the speaker, Ayya Santussika, tells the life story of two enlightened, fully ordained nuns. In fact, there were quite a few of enlightened, fully ordained nuns at the Buddha's time. The speaker also discusses how we can find the key to our own happiness in these nuns' stories, such as letting go, calming the mind, and realizing complete freedom from suffering. Finally, Ayya Santussika describes the Buddha's tremendous compassion for women. In his teachings, the Buddha acknowledged sufferings that were specific to women that are still relevant today.
|
|
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
|
|
In
collection:
The Great Disciples: People and Personalities in the Buddha's Community
|
|
|
2017-09-10
Heaven and Hell have Doors in Perception
54:55
|
|
Nathan Glyde
|
|
|
Not about Aldous Huxley's great books, but an exploration of the proximity of those disparate states of being; heavenly moments and hellish ones. Exploring how our reactions to the unfolding experience of life in a wise and kind manner shape what we see. Not offered as a panacea but as a compassionate response that brings intimacy and potential to all of our lives.
|
|
SanghaSeva
:
One Day Frome
|
|
|
2017-09-07
"Peaceful Warrior in Modern Times"
52:12
|
|
James Baraz
|
|
|
The Buddha spoke of the power of non-harming as a support for inner peace and outward harmony. But how can we both commit to being peaceful while courageously and passionately standing up for what we feel is right and make a difference in the world? This talk includes some of the Buddha's words on peace and non-harming as well as two clips of Julia Butterfly Hill speaking about "Anger v. Love" and "Fierce Compassion".
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
:
IMCB Regular Talks
|
|
|
2017-08-30
True Resilience – Part 2: Awakening through All Circumstances
48:06
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
Spiritual resilience enables us to deepen compassion and wisdom as we navigate life’s difficulties. In this two part series, we will look at the conditions that incline us towards or away from True Resilience, and explore practical and powerful practices that nourish this precious capacity.
“The hard times are what move us to become who we really are. We grow through the tough stuff if we are willing to be present. Whatever is arising, without exception, can be a portal to awakening and freedom. If you deepen your attention to the waves, how might it awaken and free you?”
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
|
|
|
2017-08-04
Truth and Reconciliation
28:43
|
|
Ayya Medhanandi
|
|
|
Can we face what we most fear and touch the well-spring of goodness, kindness and compassion within us? The first step towards Truth is taking responsibility for our own actions, intentions, and their consequences. Denial and distraction only numb us to what is painful to remember let alone face up to. But the Truth will always emerge. There is no running away from it. So we acknowledge our unskillful acts and open the door to forgiveness and reconciliation. One glimpse into the true marrow of our being reveals the urgency of repairing harm and the healing power of forgiveness.
|
|
Ottawa Buddhist Society
|
|
|
2017-07-26
The Dharma in the Holy Land 2: Dharma Practice, The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and Inter-Generational Trauma
1:17:35
|
|
Donald Rothberg
|
|
|
In this second talk following Donald’s five weeks in Israel/Palestine, we focus first on how to bring our practice to difficult and sometimes stuck places generally, whether individual, interpersonal, or collective. What helps? We then, with a deep breath, examine the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the aim of bringing empathy, compassion, understanding, and other aspects of our practice to what we interpret as a conflict between two traumatized peoples (albeit an asymmetrical conflict in which one side has much more economic, social, political, and military power). How do we understand, approach, and transform such inter-generational trauma? Some initial steps are identified, again with the suggestion that the dynamics are similar to many less complex but still very difficult and stuck situations of an individual or interpersonal nature.
|
|
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
|
|
|
2017-07-22
Workshop: The Happiness of Forgiveness - Living the Practice
3:21:11
|
|
| with
Mark Nunberg,
Wynn Fricke
|
|
The practice of forgiveness releases an authentic happiness. So why do we ignore or resist it? In this workshop we will acknowledge our stories of resentments and disappointments and how they often imprison us. Forgiveness is not imaginary or hopeful, it is a deepening understanding and acceptance of what is already true. The goal of this workshop is to recognize the limitations of ill will as a strategy for life, and to appreciate letting go as the expression of deep wisdom and compassion.
|
|
Common Ground Meditation Center
|
|
|
|
|
2017-07-20
Talk: Metta/Lovingkindness
48:25
|
|
Ruth King
|
|
|
During this 5-day silent retreat we will explore the Brahma Viharas, or Divine Abodes–four practices that open and nurture the heart.
In the Buddhist teachings, these four practices–loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity–are considered the highest qualities of heart and emotional wellbeing.
On our retreat, we’ll not only begin to sense into these qualities of heart, but practice abiding and dwelling in them as well. Over time, these practices can become our true home, as well as the atmosphere in which we deepen our mindfulness practice and intimacy with life.
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
Opening the Heart in the Divine Abodes
|
|
|
2017-07-10
Buddhist Studies Course - Week 1 - The Five Hindrances
1:27:49
|
|
Mark Nunberg
|
|
|
This seven-week course examines the Buddha’s teachings on the five hindrances that undermine the clarity and stability of mind. These afflictive states are often regular visitors for meditators. With practice, sense desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt can be more quickly recognized with a non-judging awareness in a way that neutralizes their disturbing and obscuring effect on the mind. Developing these skills goes to the heart of calming the mind and living in a skillful and compassionate way
Here are some study resources that you can use:
-Gil Fronsdal’s new book, Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances, is now available. Of course, you can order a copy through Amazon. But you could support one of our local independent book stores. I have asked Moon Palace Books at 3260 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis (612) 454-0455 to order some copies for us. It might take them several days to have them in stock. I'll send an email when they are in. Gil's book provides a detailed discussion of each of the five hindrances. The book also provides instruction on how to turn the light of mindfulness directly on the hindrances so to transform them from obstructions to steps along the path of freedom. Overcoming the hindrances reveals the beauty of our hearts and the wisdom of a clear mind.
|
|
Common Ground Meditation Center
:
Buddhist Studies Course - The Five Hindrances
|
|
|
|
|
2017-06-21
Stories That Imprison Our Heart – Part 2
50:50
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
Our suffering arises from fear-based stories that are often outside our awareness. These include stories of our deficiency or importance, of being a victim, of being unseen or unloved, of facing failure or rejection. This is true collectively too. We have shared stories of bad “others” that fuel wars, shared stories of the value of continued growth in consumption and production that destroy our earth, shared stories of our human right to enslave and violate other animals. We have the capacity to bring the stories that separate and imprison us into the light of awareness, and with great compassion, loosen their grip. These two talks look at the ways fear-based stories create suffering, and how awakening from them reveals the freedom of our true, and universal, belonging.
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
|
|
|
2017-06-15
Benefactors: Part 2, Helping Others Shine.
64:51
|
|
James Baraz
|
|
|
Description:
This is a follow-up to James' "Appreciating Our Benefactors" talk (5-25-17).
Besides gratitude for those who've been our benefactors, we can see ourselves as passing on the kindness and caring we've received. We can and do have a significant effect on everyone around us. We can practice seeing the beautiful qualities in others, believing in them and bringing out the best in them. By doing so we help them shine, make a meaningful contribution to the world and experience great joy.
This talk also includes some words about James' local basketball team the Golden State Warriors, who just became NBA champions. The coach, Steve Kerr, tries to instill four core qualities in his players--joy, mindfulness, compassion and competition. And the players' unselfish style, subjugating individual glory for the good of the team, is the key to their success. They embody the attitude of bringing out the best and enjoying seeing each other shine.
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
:
IMCB Regular Talks
|
|
|
2017-06-14
Stories That Imprison Our Heart – Part 1
53:00
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
Our suffering arises from fear-based stories that are often outside our awareness. These include stories of our deficiency or importance, of being a victim, of being unseen or unloved, of facing failure or rejection. This is true collectively too. We have shared stories of bad “others” that fuel wars, shared stories of the value of continued growth in consumption and production that destroy our earth, shared stories of our human right to enslave and violate other animals. We have the capacity to bring the stories that separate and imprison us into the light of awareness, and with great compassion, loosen their grip. These two talks look at the ways fear-based stories create suffering, and how awakening from them reveals the freedom of our true, and universal, belonging.
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
|
|
|
2017-05-24
Standing for the Dhamma
7:56
|
|
Ayya Medhanandi
|
|
|
Standing up in pure presence is one of the four great postures. In this simple act of being present, know one mind-moment at a time, repeatedly. Grateful for one breath, one posture, one point, we gain balance and poise. We allow our suffering to dissolve in the suffering of all the world. This is how we stand for the Dhamma in a practical way – with the body; and in a practice way – with compassion and understanding of the Dhamma.
|
|
Madison Insight Meditation Group
:
When Truth Speaks Out
|
|
|
2017-05-23
Rising Up Like A Swan
15:05
|
|
Ayya Medhanandi
|
|
|
Reviewing our effort to practise, recalibrate and make adjustments as needed. Make peace with what arises – neither controlling nor being passive; like a parent – compassionate, mindful, discerning. Whatever hindrance is most predominant, make it skilful, waking up if we’re asleep, or settling down if we’re restless, calming when agitated or patiently balancing. This is nothing short of the way to Nibbana, the supreme goal. Step by step, through all manner of sufferings and joys, we radiate blessings in the ten directions.
|
|
Madison Insight Meditation Group
:
When Truth Speaks Out
|
|
|
2017-05-23
Funeral of the Ego & Chant on Impermanence
3:45
|
|
Ayya Medhanandi
|
|
|
We come on retreat from our busy lives where we can easily relapse into old unworthy mental habits, hoping that here, at last, we can put them to sleep. They too are impermanent. Reflect on their impermanence using these chants for the funeral of our ego and the death of our ignorance. Once their corpse is seen and placed in a coffin, it’s possible to sustain open compassionate awareness wherever we are.
|
|
Madison Insight Meditation Group
:
When Truth Speaks Out
|
|
|
2017-05-17
Radical Compassion – Part 2
53:49
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
Compassion is the medicine we most need as individuals and a species to heal suffering and free our spirits. The essence of compassion for ourselves and others – what I call Radical Compassion – has three key elements: it is an embodied experience (a felt sense of tenderness), it is inclusive all beings, and it naturally moves us to act from a caring heart. This two-part talk explores the alchemy of Radical Compassion and guides us in awakening this intrinsic expression of our evolutionary potential.
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
|
|
|
2017-04-30
Radical Compassion – Part 1
58:27
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
Compassion is the medicine we most need as individuals and a species to heal suffering and free our spirits. The essence of compassion for ourselves and others – what I call Radical Compassion – has three key elements: it is an embodied experience (a felt sense of tenderness), it is inclusive all beings, and it naturally moves us to act from a caring heart. This two-part talk explores the alchemy of Radical Compassion and guides us in awakening this intrinsic expression of our evolutionary potential.
A talk given on 4/30/2017 at the IMCW Spring Retreat
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
2017 IMCW Spring Retreat: Intimacy with Life
|
|
|
2017-03-15
Realizing Your Deepest Desires
52:19
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
This talk differentiates between egoic intentions (driven by wants and fears), and our true aspiration (deepest desires) to manifest our full potential for awake awareness and love. We explore ways to realize and open to our deepest desires when we are stuck in self-promotion, grasping and conflict, so that our aspiration becomes a compass of the heart that can guide us in living with wisdom and compassion.
“What’s my deepest intention. What really matters?”
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
|
|
|
2017-02-15
Being Truthful
54:05
|
|
Tara Brach
|
|
|
The grounds of happiness, loving relationships and a just and flourishing society is honesty. And yet our current times are characterized by a plethora of deception – both societally, and often in more subtle ways, in our personal lives. This talk examines the deep conditioning we have to deceive others, and to avoid facing and acknowledging our own vulnerability. We then explore how we can commit ourselves to deepening our truth telling, and in so doing, creating a climate of integrity and trust that can lead to a more compassionate world.
|
|
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC
:
IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
|
|
|
2017-02-05
Opening to Experience: How and When (Retreat at Spirit Rock)
61:03
|
|
James Baraz
|
|
|
One of the most profound gifts of retreat practice is learning to open to our experience. We develop confidence, courage, compassion and insight as we are willing to work with all the challenging and beautiful places the mind can take us to. And it's also good to know when it's more skillful to not open to those places if we need to have a stronger container to hold them. Qualities that support this opening such as forgiveness, patience, sense of humor, and self-compassion are explored.
|
|
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
:
February Month-long Retreat
|
|
|
2017-01-29
Wise retreat (Retreat at Spirit Rock)
55:49
|
|
Sally Armstrong
|
|
|
For some people, the idea of retreat implies some form of escape or avoidance. But actually, meditation retreats, especially long ones, are deep dive into our direct experience, both individual and collective. Though we disengage from the busyness and distractions of our daily life, we are still deeply engaged in understanding the world and our place in it, and can return from retreat more balanced and compassionate, ready to engage wisely with our lives and the issues of our time.
|
|
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
:
February Month-long Retreat
|
|
|
|
|
