These draft papers presented by their authors at the 2017 Vedana Symposium sponsored by the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies will be revised and published in 2018 in a special edition of the Journal of Contemporary Buddhism.

Instead of forcing Lovingkindness, there are ways to reflect inside with compassion for those parts of you that can't do Metta.

Suggestions for meditators who have trauma.

Antifragile Dharma practice can actually make us gain strength from difficult times. This talk includes some practices to create invincibility of heart, and has "the daffodil story."

An introduction to the topic of insight/liberating understanding with some exploration of the domains of personal insight and cultivation of three universal insight contemplations of anicca (impermanence) dukkha (unsatisfactoriness) and anata (not self)

This meditation guides us to awaken to sensation using the image of a smile and scanning through the body. We then open to sound and to the entire changing flow of experience. When we connect with the changing flow of sensations, feelings and sounds, we also discover the formless awareness that is our Source… and home. We end with a prayer that includes our own being and all beings.

Our suffering arises from the unseen, unfelt, resisted parts of our psyche. This talk explores ways we can deepen self-honesty and reconnect to a wholeness of being that enables us to live with spontaneity, confidence, wisdom and love. A quote by Elizabeth Lessor from the talk: “My prayer to god every day: Remove the veils so I might see what is really happening here and not be intoxicated by my stories and my fears.” NOTE: Tara was away this week and asked for this favorite talk from 2014-11-05 be posted.

Sitting and practice-oriented discussion, suitable for beginners as well as engaged practitioners. Taught by Sylvia Boorstein.

The Fourth Brahma Vihara--Upekkha/Equanimity--is a tender, steady love that rest peacefully in the truth of how things are. This expression of love grows out of wisdom and lots of perspective.

An explanation of the importance of cultivating compassion toward the pain of oneself and the world.

The rivers of practice meet awakening--deep insight and connecting with and embracing our shadows--as unclaimed parts of ourselves. In service of wholeness.

A typical meditation retreat consists of a schedule of alternating sitting and walking periods.But there are other meditation practice opportunities during the day, in informal activities.This talk discusses how to see these opportunities, and practice with them.

This talk explores the various insights that arise as one meditates outdoors; including insight into impermanence, interconnectedness, selflessness, and love.

There are many beautiful reasons to develop loving-kindness meditation and one of them is deeper samadhi/concnetration. By developing the Five Jhana Factors in Metta meditation we can come to know wholeness and focus within our own hearts, minds and bodies.

This seven-week course examines the Buddha’s teachings on the five hindrances that undermine the clarity and stability of mind. These afflictive states are often regular visitors for meditators. With practice, sense desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt can be more quickly recognized with a non-judging awareness in a way that neutralizes their disturbing and obscuring effect on the mind. Developing these skills goes to the heart of calming the mind and living in a skillful and compassionate way Here are some study resources that you can use: -Gil Fronsdal’s new book, Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances, is now available. Of course, you can order a copy through Amazon. But you could support one of our local independent book stores. I have asked Moon Palace Books at 3260 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis (612) 454-0455 to order some copies for us. It might take them several days to have them in stock. I'll send an email when they are in. Gil's book provides a detailed discussion of each of the five hindrances. The book also provides instruction on how to turn the light of mindfulness directly on the hindrances so to transform them from obstructions to steps along the path of freedom. Overcoming the hindrances reveals the beauty of our hearts and the wisdom of a clear mind.