How do we make ourselves growth and realisation? Tracing the historical, psychological and Two sources of valid forms of knowlege: – Paccakkha "before the eye," i.e. 'perceptible to the senses' 'direct experience'. – Anvaya – 'inference' History of Sudden & Gradual. Aside of the the historical background, these terms have taken on a metaphorical meaning: the talk looks at how these metaphors chart the path of practice, their respective analogies and their images, their framing of the probleme and their respective values and drawbacks. – May these metaphors ultimately have their bases in the differeing mind functions of samādhi (gradual) and sati (sudden)? The speaker, despite little canonical evidence, thinks so.

An Online Dharma Hall session includes a Guided Meditation, a Dharma Talk, and responses to unrecorded questions. An exploration of the Buddha's encouraging inquiry: “What, when I do it, will lead to my long-term well-being and happiness?”

Being seen with the loving gaze of another who sees that you are perfectly in tact. Then practicing with a loved one who is suffering and whom you would like to be able to meet and love with more equanimity.

Guided by the Dhamma, our life path is courageous. See how the world burns from cruel and chaotic forces. So we cultivate a heart of compassionate awareness and peace, knowing that freedom from suffering is within reach. Our spiritual footprints emulate those of the Buddha himself.  We persevere and endure, powered by the noble fire of the Dhamma to illuminate our way and to bless us and all generations to come. Small as the flame appears, its light is as vast as this universe.

This dhamma talk and Q&A was offered on January 4, 2025 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - DHAMMA TALK 15:23 - INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE BUDDHA AND Q&A

This begins with a Dhamma talk and leads into a meditation these heart qualities, deepening the practices of Mudita (appreciative joy) and Upekkha (equanimity).

Our ways of looking are shaped by our views, our patterns of attention, our emotional states, inclinations, intentions and more. Working with these factors we can participate in seeing and sensing the self, others and the world in ways that are onward leading. This talk includes extracts from a practice diary working with a difficult sankhara that was shaping and coloring the perception.

Citta – at the heart of our experience. The wonders and challenges of the beast. Examples of things Buddhists happily disagree with each other.

Reflection & Guided Meditation on the Elements as Our Guides

How to work with delusion on the path - it's tricky to see delusion but when we do, it's so fun.

Reflections on the reality of our human vulnerability and the invitation to embrace this.

Hedonic tone (vedanā) as a feature of human experience is the major factor in governing involuntary attention – vedanā rules much of our attention. The reflections unpack the role of feeling tone on attention, intention and the cultivation of mindfulness. Learning to cultivate attention beyond gratification and avoidance and to uncouple attention from pleasant or unpleasant feeling tone.

Morning Instructions day 4.

Somatic practice followed by a guided meditation

Kafka and the girl with a lost doll. Satipaṭṭhāna and Suttas in general – a little history. Satipaṭṭhāna as a cartography of human expericence: the 'raw materials' to establish mindfulness in. (This is not the satipaṭṭhāna as exercise but their use as a map of the somatic, hedonic, affective and discursive aspects of mind.) This orientation helps greatly with the actual practice of satipatthana exercises outline elsewhere.

Knowing Impermanence Experientially is the doorway to Freedom. We see we can't hold on to anything! Letting Go– Not Clinging brings the Freedom to Be. Anicca vata sankhara chant: 'All conditioned things are impermanent. Their nature is to arise & pass away. To live in harmony with this truth. Brings the highest happiness'. Anicca vata sankhara chant.

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation on Aspirations for the New Year | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene II | Online Wednesday-Mornings.