In this talk Heather shares some of her personal connection with the Thai Forest Tradition, followed by offering a map of practice from the tradition.
Sati (Mindfulness) - MahaSati (Pure Awareness) - SatiPanna (Mindfulness- Wisdom) - PannaVimudhi (Wisdom Leading to Release).
Buddhism describes conditioned experience as being dukkha (unsatisfying/suffering) in the First Noble Truth. Yet practice leads to happiness - how does this paradox resolve? This talk describes how happiness arises in/through the Eightfold Path of practice.
This talk looks at how we get imprisoned in fear based, limiting beliefs. We then explore key meditative steps that help release these veils and reveal the fullness and goodness of our essential being.
Anapanasati 1. In silence, guided: Int, Ext, Both; 2. Internal�A-B-AB; 3. External--A-B-AB; 4, Int + Ext�B-A-AB; 5. Open awareness; 6. How was practice
With poems, stories, haikus, and teachings, we explore the nature of equanimity, how to practice to cultivate equanimity, and some of the challenges of in our development of equanimity.
These regularly scheduled evenings will begin with a guided meditation and then open up to our practice questions allowing us time to deepen in Sangha through mindful community discussion.
The practice of cultivating mudita (empathetic joy) helps us share in the happiness and well-being of others. It counteracts envy, jealousy and the tendency to compare self to others. This moves us away from resentment and feelings of scarcity towards gratitude and generosity.
Many influences shape the thoughts and perceptions of how we view ourselves and the world.
Some result in a fear-based perspective that leads to suffering. Others create more clarity and love in our mind and heart.
Can we consciously choose which ones will determine how we lead our lives and is it possible to not be run by deeply ingrained habits that no longer serve us?
An overview of (1) the nature and importance of concentration in our practice; (2) some suggestions on how to strengthen concentration; (3) some of the challenges of cultivating concentration, including striving, spiritual bypassing, and attachment to states of concentration; and, briefly, (4) the relationship of concentration and insight practice.
After a 'laugh out loud' introductory teaching, the talk deeply explores the Three Characteristics of change, suffering, and not self; and the Three Subtle Characteristics of emptiness, suchness, and 'not there with the object'.
This talk explores Compassion through the following aspects:
Cultivation Aspects: How to Practice and the Near Misses
Wisdom Aspects: The Three Characteristics (change, suffering, not self)
Fruition Aspects: Stories from ancient and modern meditators and activists
This talk discusses how to apply mindfulness to the mind and body. Clarifies what kind of attention is called for in working with thoughts/emotions. Distinguishes mindfulness meditation from psychotherapy, and discusses the relationship between them. Explores "which tool is right for the task."
Encountering aging, illness, and death have the power to awaken us out of the sleepy trance of our daily routines.
How this happened for the Buddha and how it can happen for us are explored in the first of two talks.
