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Dharma Talks
2009-01-31 Anxiety, Authenticity and Awareness 50:24
Alan Lewis
Gaia House Anxiety, Authenticity and Awareness

2009-01-31 Chandrakirti's Chariot and the Unfindable Self 63:31
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-30 Opening Talk for Anxiety, Authenticity and Awareness retreat 52:04
Alan Lewis
Gaia House Anxiety, Authenticity and Awareness

2009-01-30 Facets of the Diamond 41:28
Thanissara
Host & the guest and the fundamental confusion between the two Staying at home, the one that hears the sound and the sound merge Allow the world the come to the heart. Before knowledge Original nature & original split Self structure as defence against original pain of separation
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-30 Exploring the Relationship with Practice 59:49
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-29 "Letting In The Love" 57:36
James Baraz
On transmitting and receiving love.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

2009-01-29 The Shurangama Samadhi 45:01
Kittisaro
The Dharma door of Chan / Zen The King of Samadhi’s – the Shurangama – Durable – Samadhi The context of the Shurangama Sutra – Ananda, Matangi’s daughter, Manjushri, the Buddha & Avalokitesvara Kuan Yin’s favoured meathod – ‘returning the hearing’ The pure, bright and primordial essence of consciousness Anuruddha seeks out advice from Sariputta – ‘Turn your mind to the Deathless’
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-29 Awareness 24:02
Jason Murphy
Insight Santa Cruz

2009-01-29 What it is to be a Self 1:15:04
John Peacock
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-28 The View Of The Heart Of The Great Mother 59:28
Sharda Rogell
A talk given at a women's retreat, exploring the conundrum between embodying the sacred feminine and experiencing our challenging ego self.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Embodying the Sacred Feminine: A Retreat for Women

2009-01-28 Part 1 - Freedom In The Midst Of Fear 1:11:07
Tara Brach
One understanding of the spiritual path is relating wisely to fear. Our conditioned reaction is to feel aversion to fear and do anything but simply experience it. We discover freedom when instead of reacting, we recognize and open to fear with a kind, committed presence. While fear might or might not remain, with awareness, the suffering of being identified as a fearful self dissolves. In Part I of this talk, we look at how to recognize the physical, mental, emotional and behavioral facets of the body of fear. In Part II we explore a range of pathways for cultivating a healing and freeing presence in the midst of fear.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2009-01-28 Leaving The Samsaric Home 49:22
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-27 Ten Paramis: Generosity (1) 45:46
Rodney Smith
The power of generosity and how to access it by releasing what obscures it. The talk explores the difference between generosity and resentment.
Seattle Insight Meditation Society
In collection: The Ten Paramis

2009-01-27 The Ten Paramis 18:39:06
Rodney Smith
The Ten Paramis, or the ten perfections, are the ten qualities of character that can be developed to support the path of awakening. The Paramis can be seen as attributes of awareness itself and also as cultivated states that will enhance our lives. (Two talks given on each Parami.)
Seattle Insight Meditation Society

2009-01-27 All Beings are of One Substance 34:57
Kittisaro
Avalokitesvara – the Lord of Ease Ekayana – All streams lead to the ocean - all Dharma doors lead to the One Heart All Dharma doors are connected to Mindfulness Crossing over beings of the self nature – being kind is being Kuan Yin All Beings have been our mother, father, relative and are potential Buddha’s Kittisaro’s mother’s death and his tribute to her
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-27 Kuan Yin - Bestower of Fearlessness 38:07
Kittisaro
Turning the state rather than being turned by the state Liberating the orphans of consciousness & being liberated from them Stories of Ajahn Chah – Knowing pain & ‘What About the Rest of Us?’ The man who wanted to hang himself Returning to the Still Bestower of Courage & Fearlessness.
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-27 Mindfulness of Movement 41:42
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-27 The Challenge of Radical Contingency 1:17:57
John Peacock
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-26 Spontaneous Meditation: The Sacred Art Of Presencing 27:31
Lama Surya Das
The intrinsic nature of mind is naturally lucid, aware, bright, open, empty and cling free. It is only temporarily limited or corrupted by being mixed with adventitious obscurations. Lama Surya Das explains & elucidates natural meditation, nowness-awareness, how to sit and gage and be, and explains his original four kinds of mindfulness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2009-01-26 Desire And Aversion 53:19
Susan O'Brien
How we might recognize and free ourselves from the pull of wanting and not wanting.
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge January 2009 at IMS - Forest Refuge

2009-01-26 I Have Faith in Nights 21:22
Thanissara
Encouragement to ‘bear the reality’ of suffering, to listen beneath the splits The holding of splits within this one heart Empathy rather than judgement The difficult practice of compassion
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-26 Practicing with the Three Characteristics 1:16:45
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-26 Guided Meditation on the Three Characteristics 52:52
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-25 Awareness 50:05
Will Kabat-Zinn
San Francisco Insight Meditation Community

2009-01-25 Guided Meditation-receptivity in relaxation 46:13
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-25 The Sense of Self 60:39
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-24 For The Love Of Earth - part 1 2:30:30
Joanna Macy
Daylong at Spirit Rock: Joanna Macy, Jennifer Berezan, Matthew Fox, Julie Wester
Spirit Rock Meditation Center For the Love of Earth

2009-01-24 For The Love Of Earth - part 2 1:40:00
Joanna Macy
Spirit Rock Meditation Center For the Love of Earth

2009-01-24 For The Love Of Earth - part 3 33:01
Joanna Macy
A Daylong Event at Spirit Rock with Joanna Macy, Jennifer Berezan, Mattehw Fox, Julie Wester.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center For the Love of Earth

2009-01-24 Bringing The Donkey Home 51:36
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-24 Emptiness 60:52
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-24 Samadhi in the Practice of Emptiness 44:40
Rob Burbea
Please note that these talks are from a 4 week retreat for experienced meditators. The talks and meditations can be listened to in any order or individually, but as they progressively unfold different levels of understanding of Emptiness, they will probably be more fully understood and the practices more easily developed if taken in series
Gaia House Meditation on Emptiness (2009)

2009-01-23 Turning Into The Skid 60:06
Bob Stahl
Waking up to aging, illness and death. Turning into emotional pain. How to grow a meditation practice that holds it all.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Essential Dharma

2009-01-23 The Heroic Human Heart 31:55
Thanissara
An abandoned old lady Bearing reality of being human With patience obstruction drop away Like walking into the mist The more the suffering, the more the bliss Indestructible Heart
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-22 Barack Obama's Inauguration In The Context Of Dharma Practice 50:02
James Baraz
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

2009-01-22 Where Letting Go and Embracing the World Meet 39:18
Kittisaro
Compassion says ‘I am Everything’ - Wisdom ‘I am Nothing’ Where emptiness leans into aversion and compassion into grasping Ajahn Chah’s reflection on teachings as way of providing balance Metta and the attendant blessings of metta Meeting English football hooligans
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-22 Intention 39:22
Mary Grace Orr
Insight Santa Cruz

2009-01-21 The Courage To Awaken 1:17:43
Tara Brach
Courage is the greatness of heart that allows us, in the face of fear, to be true to what matters. This talk is a reflection on how we can become increasingly courageous in those parts of our lives where we have held back from living and loving fully.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2009-01-21 Starting with Right View 53:37
Mark Nunberg
Dharma Talk
Common Ground Meditation Center

2009-01-21 Gentling The Mind 36:42
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-20 Practice Q and A 58:13
Rodney Smith
Seattle Insight Meditation Society

2009-01-20 Emptying the Boulders of the Mind 43:10
Thanissara
Using the breath to steady the mind, to reflect on impermanence and to see ‘non ownership’ The boulder is not heavy if you don’t pick it up This is ‘how it is’ – methods to access the third noble truth Replacing reactivity with mindfulness – the flood stopper
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-19 The First Noble Truth 53:48
Susan O'Brien
How a skillful engagement with suffering leads to greater ease.
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge January 2009 at IMS - Forest Refuge

2009-01-19 Through the Gateway of Dukkha 40:19
Kittisaro
The 4 truths that en-noble as we grow through them The 8 kinds of Dukkha – Anando, ex marine & monk, bowing through anger Death is also impermanent, seeing through impermanence, one touches peace. When the causes of dukkha break up, it ceases - revealing the timeless dharma.
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-19 The End of Mark Making 37:39
Kittisaro
The tendency of the proliferating mind to designate permanence to the transitory through the process of thought Papanca – conceptual proliferation creates the billion fragments of the world The Diamond Sutra – The Guest and the Host What remains? Kappa’s question to the Buddha
Dharmagiri

2009-01-18 Suffering as Opportunity 37:19
Thanissara
The Buddha’s reluctance to teach The first turning of the Dhamma wheel The Four Noble truths and accompanying practices Contemplating desire – resolving dukkha – the primary split.
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-18 The Four Noble Truths 41:33
Eugene Cash
San Francisco Insight Meditation Community

2009-01-18 The Centrality of Minfulness 37:16
Thanissara
Replacing reactivity of mind with mindfulness Mindfulness as container & as that which reveals & discerns what is Citta conditioned by perception & sankhara Healing the citta through mindful awareness Finding balanced energy as a support for mindfulness
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-17 Presentations In Neuroscience #3 29:04
Sylvia Boorstein
Melissa Rosenkranz-U. Wisconsin; Praveen Chopra-private; Paula Sigafus-Kaiser; Sarah Bowen-U. Washington; Jim Saveland-US Forest Service; Michael Warren-Claremont Graduate U.; Francis Haberli-U. Wisconsin;Charlie Thompson-U. Washington
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-17 Presentations In Neuroscience #2 31:43
Sylvia Boorstein
Koren Wright- Argosy U., Phoenix, AZ;Chad Johnson-U. Oklahoma; Kendra Markle-Kaiser: Daniel Levinson-U.Wisconsin; Larry Greischar-U. Wisconsin; Michael Haggerty-UC Davis
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-17 Presentations In Neuroscience #1 39:30
Sylvia Boorstein
Johnathan Schooler-UCSB; Stuart Eisendrath-UCSF; Lisa Lindeman-U.Wisconsin; Liz Wang-Changchi U. Taipei, Taiwan;Carmen Schooler-U. Maryland;Peta McAuley-Hong Kong
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-17 Transcendence Includes It All 59:55
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-17 Wise Mindfulness 59:01
Christina Feldman
Gaia House An Exploration of Mindfulness MBCT/SR Retreat

2009-01-16 It's Uncertain 40:49
Kittisaro
Meeting Ajahn Chah in Thailand Know the breath and you’ll know everything Opening the Dharma Eye Underlying pervasive peace Samsara & Nibbana arise at the same place
Dharmagiri

2009-01-16 Inherited Kamma-Broadening The Range Of Practice 36:52
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-16 The Four Noble Truths 52:12
John Teasdale
Gaia House An Exploration of Mindfulness MBCT/SR Retreat

2009-01-15 2009 Monthly Sitting Group, Month 1: Overview of the Samatha Practice 63:51
Tina Rasmussen
Includes: The three stages of practice (Sila, Samatha, Vipassana); The Buddha’s practice of the jhanas; Why do this practice?; and an overview of the path of practice as taught by Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw; meditation instructions.
Various

2009-01-15 Practice in Ordinary Daily Life 69:15
Bhante Bodhidhamma
date estimated
Satipanya Buddhist Retreat

2009-01-15 Through The Looking Glass - The Reality Of No-Self 66:24
Marcia Rose
Can we look into the clear mirror of the dhamma? Can we face the "looking glass" with a willingness and humility and keep looking into this mirror of our 'self' without interpretation or judgement? It is only then that we begin to see and know the impersonality of presently arisen thoughts, censations,feelings and states of mind. Can we keep looking until we begin to experience and know that it's not all about "me" and teach the heart/the mind of freedom.
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge January 2009 at IMS - Forest Refuge

2009-01-15 Death Reflection 52:52
Wes Nisker
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-15 Working With Strong Emotions 45:51
Trudy Goodman
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-15 Knowing Through Dispassion 37:24
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-15 Opening Talk for An Exploration of Mindfulness MBCT/SR Retreat 60:03
Christina Feldman
Gaia House An Exploration of Mindfulness MBCT/SR Retreat

2009-01-14 Humble Of Heart 1:11:49
Tara Brach
As consciousness evolves, there is a deepening understanding of the interdependence of all of life. This wisdom naturally leads to an authentic humility--an awakening from the burden and violence of self-importance. In this talk we explore the relationship between being humble of heart, and living with kindness and compassion. There is particular attention to the necessity of humility and deep listening--as individuals and societies--if we are to respond to conflict in a way that can bring peace to this earth.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2009-01-14 The Path of Inquiry 59:00
Mark Nunberg
Dharma Talk
Common Ground Meditation Center

2009-01-14 The Terrorist and the Treasure 33:55
Kittisaro
Kittisaro’s father and mother meeting Ajahn Chah The terrorists of the heart that rob the true treasure Finding a solid footing Ajahn Chah's encouragement to be an earth worm rather than a bodhisattva Ajahn Chah’s take on Samatha & Vipassana Letting go is peace
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-14 Friendliness, Consolation And Appreciation 47:52
Sylvia Boorstein
Short talk leading into meditation
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2009-01-14 Evolutionary Wisdom 49:10
Wes Nisker
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2009-01-14 Intergration Into daily Death 36:28
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka

2009-01-14 Generating Skilful Feeling 34:30
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-13 Fruit Arises According to the Dharma 33:21
Thanissara
Path Activity breaks up obstructions Beginners mind, patience, kindness This is how it is Working with how it is rather than how it should be The three streams of karma / energy Samadhi as healing
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-13 The Gift of Blamelessness 47:59
Rodney Smith
Seattle Insight Meditation Society

2009-01-13 Mara - The Ultimate Teacher 30:21
Thanissara
The challenge of dukkha. Without Mara, no Buddha. Path Activity illuminates the hindrances Without hindrance there’s no path That which knows desire and aversion is not desire & aversion ‘I Know You Mara’
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-13 Metta Guided Meditation 37:58
Trudy Goodman
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-13 The Science Of Meditation For Scientists 46:30
Diana Winston
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-13 A Step Towards The Transcendant 43:01
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-12 Learning To Open To Experience 62:07
James Baraz
A central attitude of dharma practice is learning to open to experience instead of the typical contraction of grasping at pleasant or aversion towards unpleasant. Qualitites of opening include forgiveness, patience, sense of humor, presence and loving kindness are explored.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2009-01-12 The Capacity to Bear Reality 41:37
Kittisaro
The heavenly messengers that set the Buddha on his quest The Buddha’s early struggle and discovery of the middle way The First Jhana and simile of the Bathman’s Apprentice Citt’ekaggata – A unified heart suffused with well being
Dharmagiri

2009-01-12 Samadhi - The Destroyer of Ignorance 37:42
Kittisaro
The Four benefits of Samadhi The three streams of energy The Five Jhana factors
Dharmagiri

2009-01-12 From Coarse to Subtle 39:43
Kittisaro
An exploration of that which pulls us out presence The subtle breath body & the senses
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-12 Stories About How Mindfulness Works 45:34
Sylvia Boorstein
Stories about wisdom - how knowing profoundly that everything is changing, that our experience is created by myriad factors beyond our control, that acceptance and compassion create a peaceful mind - and how mindfulness creates that wisdom - paying attention
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Scientists Retreat

2009-01-12 Natural Mind 3-Clarity 34:46
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka

2009-01-12 Energy,view and Anapansati 37:43
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-11 Gathered Attention Here and Now 35:27
Thanissara
Three supports for present moment attention Withdrawing the mind from longing and disappointment for the world Using the breath to steady attention
Dharmagiri Original Brightness Retreat

2009-01-11 Natural Mind 2-Heart 50:01
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka

2009-01-10 Widening Circles: Practicing Metta In The World 64:40
Donald Rothberg
How do we bring our metta practice out from retreat into the world and our everyday lives. We look at (1) some guidelines and ways of practicing metta in our personal formal practice; (2) practicing metta in our relationships with others; and (3) the importance of metta for social healing and transformation.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta

2009-01-10 The Expansive Effects Of Metta 59:48
Heather Martin
Interweaving all four threads of the Divine Abodes - to transform us from small, tight self-concern to the soft vast tenderness of interconnection, which is true freedom.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta

2009-01-10 Natural Mind 1-Ground 41:09
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka

2009-01-10 The Five Khandhas 52:06
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-09 The Wearing out of Sankharas 39:00
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-08 Wisdom Sustains Equanimity - Equanimity Sustains Wisdom 63:09
Sylvia Boorstein
This talk, filled with contemporary stories as well as traditional accounts of the Buddha's enlightenment, makes the connection between wisdom and equanimity - and shows how lovingkindness, compassion, and appreciation are permutations of equanimity in situations that are neutral, unpleasant (troubling) and excitingly pleasant.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta

2009-01-08 Emotional Awareness 53:28
James Baraz
An introduction to next week's (1-15-08) guest Paul Ekman, psychologist, leading expert on human emotions and facial expressions and co-author with the Dalai Lama on the recent book Emotional Awareness
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

2009-01-08 Happiness 38:16
Mary Grace Orr
Insight Santa Cruz

2009-01-08 Wisdom,Happiness and Renunciation 43:22
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka Winter Retreat

2009-01-07 We Need Metta To Do Metta 53:13
Heather Martin
To handle the 'rowdy prisoners' which invariably arise in practice, Metta nourishes and reassures us, so we can relax, calm down, and release the burden of struggles with them.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta

2009-01-07 The Three Refuges 1:26:28
Tara Brach
The spiritual path can be understood as forgetting and remembering. We suffer when we lose sight of truth, of love, of awareness. And we touch freedom in the moments of remembering. This talk includes guided reflections on three gateways to remembering: three refuges--buddha, dharma and sangha--that are the foundation of classical Buddhist teachings and profoundly relevant in our contemporary lives.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2009-01-07 Why Meditate 58:23
Mark Nunberg
Dharma Talk
Common Ground Meditation Center

2009-01-07 Politics 35:40
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka

2009-01-06 How Metta Works Through Us 66:12
Donald Rothberg
Metta works, partly in a clear way, partly mysteriously, to help us lead with our hearts, develop deeper concentration, unergo an often challenging process of purification and touch the depths of our being. As we practice, we work through a number of challenges - distraction, sleepiness, the restless mind and body, and the near and far enemies of metta - attached love and ill-will for enemies, particularly harsh judgment of self and others.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta

2009-01-06 Pull Your Foot Out Of The Stirrup 45:43
Ajahn Sucitto
Cittaviveka

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