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Dharma Talks
2001-04-18
Holding Hands
30:10
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Sylvia Boorstein
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In thinking about the path of awareness and the refining of the heart that is the purpose of Buddhist philosophy, Sylvia suggests that she would like to amend the Eightfold Path to be the "Ninefold Path," adding Right Relationship as the ninthfold. Right Relationship is the sense of connection we feel in the world that holds us up. Hand holding is the metaphor Sylvia uses to symbolize this connection. Hands take us from the womb, and they put us in the grave. In between, it is one big "hand holding."
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2001-04-17
Trust In Being The Knowing
67:43
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Ajahn Sumedho
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Using reason and logic, that is, acquired knowledge, we get caught in dualistic positions: right and wrong, good and bad, etc. We tend to
establish a fixed view about things. In this talk Ajahn Sumedho is trying to get us to a place beyond such dualistic thinking, beyond taking sides. He says that intuitive awareness involves a one-pointedness (ekaggata) that includes, rather than excludes. It is not dualistic. Transcendence is a matter of “being” it, not thinking about it.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2001-04-15
Knower Of The Worlds
54:49
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Ajahn Sumedho
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We can be empowered in practice through getting to know the nature of
the world we live in and through learning from the way it is. Taking
refuge in knowing the truth-- the laws of nature-can free us from a
selfish struggle with the way things are.
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2001-04-14
The First Noble Truth: What's Noble About Dukkha
66:46
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Ajahn Sumedho
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The Buddha's teachings are all about awakening to the truth of suffering, or dukkha, and finding the end to it. Our potential for awakening begins to be realized when we shift our attitude to take an interest in suffering, learning from the way it is, and understanding how it gets created. Opening to the truth about suffering, we also open our awareness to something greater -- the ultimate reality.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2001-04-13
Living With The Reality Of Aging, Sickness And Death
52:41
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Ajahn Candasiri
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Our society emphasizes fitness, strength, youth, and vitality, and yet
the body runs its own course. We can do things to keep it strong and
healthy, but these types of measures are limited. We are blessed to
have the Buddhist teachings because they encourage us to come to terms
with aging, sickness and death -- fundamental truths of our existence.
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