When we are suffering from stress, we are paying attention to our world in a narrow and rigid way. Through meditations that cultivate a wakeful and open attention, we can dramatically transform the feelings of anxiety and aloneness that underlie all stress.
Skillful practice with thoughts and emotions is explored, including (1) taking responsibility for our experience, (2) finding balance if we are reactive and out of balance, (3) using mindfulness to investigate thoughts and emotions, and (4) making connections between these approaches and our speech practice.
Guidance on developing a taste for metta, being able to find the thread to metta in many situations, and building a continuity of connection to loving kindness through the course of our lives.
What is wisdom - How do we cultivate an experiential, lived wisdom in our lives, so we live wisely in our relationships with ourselves, each other and the world...
We explore (1) the importance of speech practice; (2) its place in the path of awakening; (3) the nature of awakening and the path to awakening; and (4) the specific teachings on speech from the Buddha, particularly on the four ethical guidelines of truthfulness, helpfulness, kindness, and appropriateness.
Guest speaker Gil Fronsdal shares his reflections on the benefit of retreat practice and the vision for his new Retreat Center in Scotts Valley: Insight Retreat Center.
