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Dharma Talks
2016-10-10 Practicing with Views and Opinions, Cultivating Empathy 1:25:00
Donald Rothberg
In the context of the current election campaign as well as the context of our daily lives, we explore how to understand and practice with our views, opinions, and interpretations. We first look at the nature of views, the Buddha’s teachings on views, and three main ways to practice with views, with particular attention to being mindful of reactivity (attachment and aversion) in relation to views. We then examine the nature of empathy and how to cultivate empathy in relationship to others (and ourselves), including those with different views.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2016-10-10 Investigation of states 59:53
Winnie Nazarko
This talk discusses what is meant by the "Enlightenment factor" investigation. How does one use mindfulness to "investigate"? How is this different from psychotherapy?
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Part 1

2016-10-10 Buddhist Studies Course - Understanding Sensuality - Week 4 56:14
Mark Nunberg
Please take this week to more clearly discern the gratification & allure of sense experience and the drawbacks & limitations of sense experience. Remember, the practice is to collect honest data. The purification of view that the mind has toward sensuality does happen because we want to shift our view, rather, it happens because the data that the mind collects through being mindful overwhelms older views/beliefs about sensuality and allows for a newer, more refined, wiser view to arise in its place. One theme you might use for your small group sharing is, what if any data has this mind or heart, collected in the recent past that demonstrates the limitations and drawbacks of sense experience? Some Additional Readings for Week 4:
Common Ground Meditation Center Buddhist Studies Course - Understanding Sensuality
Attached Files:
  • Placeholder (File)
  • Mind Like Fire Unbound Chapter III 'Forty cartloads of timber.' by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Link)
  • What You Take Home With You by Ajahn Sucitto (Google Doc)

2016-10-06 Second Noble Truth 40:09
Shaila Catherine
Shaila Catherine gave the second talk in the five-week series "Four Noble Truths." This talk explores the causes of suffering (in Pali dukkha), and explains how conditioned mental and sensory experiences are unsatisfactory and stressful. Craving causes suffering when our perceptions are accompanied by delight and lust. Practicing mindfulness reduces suffering, because when we are present we experience things as they actually are, and do not crave something different.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Four Noble Truths

2016-10-05 Mindfulness of Breathing Week 4 55:34
Mark Nunberg
Common Ground Meditation Center Weekly Dharma Series

2016-10-04 Inside the Great Heart 44:00
Erin Treat
Mindfulness and compassionate action as they relate to our theme, "Reclaiming the Wisdom of the Mother of All Buddhas".
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Reclaiming the Wisdom of the Mother of All Buddhas: A Women's Retreat

2016-10-04 Course - Introduction to Mindfulness - Week 3 1:26:48
Mark Nunberg
Common Ground Meditation Center Course - Introduction to Mindfulness
Attached Files:
  • Instructions for Walking Meditation by Gil Fronsdal (Google Doc)
  • What is the Right Attitude for Meditation? by Sayadaw U Tejaniya (Google Doc)

2016-09-29 Clinging 61:13
Sally Armstrong
Though the 2nd Noble Truth points to craving as the cause of suffering, clinging – upadana – is inextricably woven into the experience of suffering. With craving we are reaching towards the object or experience, in clinging we are trying to hold onto it, and make it I, me or mine. Clinging is central to how we create a sense of self through the five aggregates, as pointed to in the first noble truth. We can bring awareness to the process of craving leading to clinging leading to the creation of a sense of self as depicted in the teaching on Dependent Origination, as it is often accompanied by physical energy we can recognize and certain types of thinking. Being mindful of this process allows us to respond wisely, decreasing or abandoning the clinging, and therefore not getting caught in the delusion of self.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Part 1

2016-09-28 Spiritual Empowerment 1:17:16
Tara Brach
When we are trying to control life, we are removed from presence, and act in ways that separate us from others and solidify the experience of being a insecure self. This talk explores our often unconscious strategies of seeking power, and the ways that mindful and compassionate awareness reconnects us to the source of true empowerment. When empowered we tap into the universal flow of love, wisdom and creativity. We are free to respond to life with “a heart that is ready for anything.”
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2016-09-27 Course - Introduction to Mindfulness - Week 2 1:28:02
Mark Nunberg
Common Ground Meditation Center Course - Introduction to Mindfulness
Attached Files:
  • Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation, Weeks Two and Three: by Mark Nunberg (Google Doc)

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