Guest Dharma Talk

In the context of the transformation of ignorance, we look at views, beliefs and opinions - traditional teachings, how to use them skillfully, ways that we use them unskillfully and how to practice with views.

Chanting of Karaniya Metta Sutta in Pali and English

This talk explores the Buddha's teaching on Karma and the way that this understanding can serve as a recipe for happiness.

Guided compassion meditation with emphasis on working with difficult relationships

How to deal with all the ups and downs of life. Equanimity and working with chaos

Copy of http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/9/talk/21316 with recovered audio

In the beginning was the human condition -- the Buddha's new way to work with it.

Karaniya Metta Sutta chanting in Pali and English. Followed by a silent meditation and a short blessing chant to end.

A wide range of questions - what is mindfulness, working with emotions, senselessness, volition/intention, forgiveness, etc.

We each live with uncertainty and the fear of rejection and loss, and we each are conditioned to avoid feeling or expressing that vulnerability. Yet intimacy with this unlived life is the gateway to connecting authentically with others, full aliveness and spiritual realization. These talks explore the ways that we defend ourselves, and the pathway to gently, wisely and intelligently disarming and freeing our hearts.

Dharma Talk

Abandoning fixed views

A short reflection on dedication of merit, followed by chanting of the Karaniya Metta Sutta in Pali

As we move from birth to aging, the sense-of-self is dragged along in time, and we begin to notice the effects of memory and accumulated experiences on consciousness. Aging can create a burdened and heavy toll, but when used correctly this maturation process can culminate in wisdom and help us understand Dependent Origination. Maturation brings perspective and when coupled with dharma practice, it reveals the limitations and struggles inherent in our desires and aversions and begins to free us from many of our youthful oppressive states of mind. It can also slowly season our intention toward moving into the here and now. But aging can also be a time of great protest and bitterness. Our life did not turn out the way we wanted, and we now see only death in front of us. We must close this bitterness gap quickly, or it will define our later years. If bitterness arises, ask, "In the present what is left unfulfilled? What is left to do? In the present, how has the past betrayed me?" Our bitterness cannot enter the present, because the present sees the past and future as thoughts arising in the present. Here then is the final step of our maturation. Do we want to carry ourselves through time and arrive at our death with all the scar tissue time gives us, or do we want to enter the timeless present and leave ourselves behind?