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Dharma Talks
2012-01-28 Morning Guided Meditation: Grounded and Spacious 31:06
Julie Wester
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Way of the Sacred Feminine

2012-01-27 Psychotherapy and Meditation 1:47:01
Mark Epstein
This evening’s talk will address the overlap between psychotherapy and meditation, from the perspective of a Western psychiatrist whose introduction to the study of the mind came through Buddhist meditation. Discussion will center on how primal emotions like aggression and desire are handled. While it is often assumed that Buddhism counsels suppression or eradication of such energies, Mark Epstein will propose another model. Drawn from his studies of both D.W. Winnicott and the Buddha, this evening’s presentation will use the Buddha’s own inner struggle as a model for our own. Meditation instruction will be offered. Mark Epstein is a Harvard trained psychiatrist with a private practice in New York City. A longtime student of Joseph Golstein and Jack Kornfield, he is the author of a number of works about the overlap of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, and Psychotherapy without the Self.
New York Insight Meditation Center NYI Regular Talks

2012-01-26 The Sacred Feminine 56:57
Spring Washam
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Way of the Sacred Feminine

2012-01-26 Amazing Grace 48:48
James Baraz
Suffering is an integral part of life—the First Noble Truth. How is it possible that some people go through suffering and even trauma and, instead of becoming bitter or damaged, use it as a catalyst for deep compassion and awakening? Most people don’t realize they have the choice to work skillfully with regard to the challenges life gives them. This is one of the greatest blessings of practice. Consciously appreciating this blessing brings a deeper connection to practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley

2012-01-25 Part 1: Three Blessings on the Journey 1:24:06
Tara Brach
Drawing on a wonderful teaching story from the Upanishads, these two talks explore the role of forgiveness, inner fire and looking at our own minds, in finding freedom.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2012-01-25 Understanding Intention 55:58
Mark Nunberg
Dharma Talk
Common Ground Meditation Center

2012-01-25 Deepening Daily Life Practice, I 67:38
Donald Rothberg
We explore how our practice can come alive in the flow of daily life, focusing on some of the challenges as well as three areas: (1) Various supports for daily life practice, (2) the centrality of mindfulness of the body, and (3) taking difficulties and even suffering as opportunities for practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2012-01-24 What is Right View 41:01
Shaila Catherine
Right view is an approach to life that leads to awakening, to enlightenment. As mindfulness becomes mainstreamed in western culture, serious practitioners should take care that the framework of virtue, the integrated eight-fold path, and the liberating potential of meditation practice are not lost. Both mundane and supramundane right view are examined in this talk. Ultimately, right view implies a direct realization of the four noble truths and of the model of dependent arising.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley Tuesday Talks
In collection: Buddhist Perspectives on Right View

2012-01-24 Buddhist Perspectives on Right View 3:23:09
Shaila Catherine
Right view appears as the first step of training in the Noble Eight-Fold Path. It leads to an integrated understanding of the liberating teachings of the Buddha and the successful development of meditation and wisdom. Right view is essential to understanding the causes and the end of suffering. Without right view awakening is impossible, and wrong view is considered the insidious obstacle to all progress. In this six-week series Shaila explores right view from several perspectives found in the discourses of the Buddha. Related themes of wise attention, concepts of liberation, truthfulness, false beliefs, attachment to opinions, kamma, cause and effect, learning and peaceful engagement in discussion will bring this traditional theme to life in our contemporary practice.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley

2012-01-24 Dana, Sila and Bhavana 41:00
Howard Cohn
Mission Dharma

2012-01-24 Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation - Week 2 1:27:07
Mark Nunberg
Class
Common Ground Meditation Center

2012-01-23 Buddhist Studies Course - The Five Spiritual Faculties - Week 3 1:30:48
Mark Nunberg
Common Ground Meditation Center Buddhist Studies Course - The Five Spiritual Faculties

2012-01-23 Fundamentals of the Dharma: Moving Toward the Struggle 0:36
Rodney Smith
Why did the Buddha say he only taught suffering and the end of suffering? If this is the core of what he taught, how diligently do we practice it? Do our practices attempt to understand the nature of anguish, or do they sidestep that issue and attempt to create anguish-free environments and foster greater dependency on pleasant experiences? Do we see anguish as a fundamental dharmic principle that guides and directs us toward liberation, or do we pull back and adapt a philosophical approach to anguish - "This too shall pass." Suffering provides all that is necessary for a complete understanding of the formation of self, but we must be willing to move toward the difficult for that to be imparted.
Seattle Insight Meditation Society
In collection: Fundamentals of the Dharma

2012-01-23 It's About Time 46:43
Wes Nisker
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-22 Gratitude for the Practice 47:36
Eugene Cash
San Francisco Insight Meditation Community

2012-01-21 An Overview of the Eightfold Path 64:16
Anna Douglas
A talk given by Sharda Rogell, Anna Douglas and Howie Cohn teaching on the importance of practicing and following the path to wisdom and compassion as taught by the Buddha.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-21 An Overview of the Eightfold Path 64:16
Howard Cohn
A talk given by Sharda Rogell, Anna Douglas and Howie Cohn teaching on the importance of practicing and following the path to wisdom and compassion as taught by the Buddha.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-21 An Overview of the Eightfold Path 64:09
Sharda Rogell
A talk given by Sharda Rogell, Anna Douglas and Howie Cohn teaching on the importance of practicing and following the path to wisdom and compassion as taught by the Buddha.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-21 An Overview of the Eightfold Path 64:16
Sharda Rogell, Anna Douglas, Howard Cohn
A talk given by Sharda Rogell, Anna Douglas and Howie Cohn teaching on the importance of practicing and following the path to wisdom and compassion as taught by the Buddha.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Essential Dharma

2012-01-20 Expressing the Awakened Heart/Mind 57:11
Sharda Rogell
How does love express itself in the awakened heart/mind. And how does that love get so distorted that it can turn to hatred, cruelty and envy. How can we release our confusion and be free?
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Essential Dharma

2012-01-20 The Simile of the Cloth 59:00
Ayya Santussika
Insight Meditation Center

2012-01-19 The Wisdom of Vulnerability: Working with the Four Noble Truths 59:16
Howard Cohn
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Essential Dharma

2012-01-19 Embracing Resistance 35:46
James Baraz
When things don’t go the way we hoped, resistance is often a natural response. A key element in our practice is how we respond to that resistance. Of course accepting things as they are is an essential part of our practice. This includes accepting the resistance. But an even more powerful practice is actually embracing the resistance so that it becomes a direct doorway to freedom.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

2012-01-18 Part 2: Trusting Your Basic Goodness 1:21:29
Tara Brach
Einstein says the most important question we will ever ask ourselves is, "Is this universe a friendly place?" Do we trust that there is something essentially benevolent or good about this universe? That we are essentially good? These two talks explore what it means to trust basic goodness, and how this trust naturally emerges through cultivating a meditative presence. (also in video - show tracks)
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

2012-01-18 Practice Review and Q&A 54:43
Mark Nunberg
Dharma Talk
Common Ground Meditation Center

2012-01-18 Generosity as the Beginning and End of the Path 47:49
Sylvia Boorstein
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2012-01-17 Desire and Steps 2 & 3 40:28
Kevin Griffin
Spirit Rock Meditation Center The Practice of Recovery

2012-01-17 Practicing the Five Recollections 44:38
Anushka Fernandopulle
Mission Dharma

2012-01-17 Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation - Week 1 1:26:05
Mark Nunberg
Class
Common Ground Meditation Center

2012-01-17 Right View 32:07
Lama Surya Das
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley Tuesday Talks—2012

2012-01-15 Wise Mindfulness 54:29
Anushka Fernandopulle
San Francisco Insight Meditation Community

2012-01-15 Week 1, Part 2: Introduction to the Suttas 61:22
Guy Armstrong
The most reliable version of the teachings of the historical Buddha is found in the Pali suttas, or discourses, which make up about 20 volumes of texts. These teachings were transmitted orally for 400 years and were first written down around 100 B.C.E. Their survival to the present day in such a complete form is so unlikely that it might be considered as slightly miraculous. By studying these original texts we can discover the tremendous rewards that come from hearing the authentic voice of this amazing teacher. In this 4-week series we will explore a few key texts which contain some of the most important of the Buddha's teachings in their original formulations. In the first class we will offer an introduction to the overall study of these suttas, which present certain challenges given the spiritual, cultural and historical distances involved for us today. Students will be provided with good English translations of all the suttas covered. This series is suitable for experienced meditation students who have some understanding of the Buddha's basic teachings.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Sutta Study Class Series with Guy Armstrong & Richard Shankman

2012-01-15 Week 1, Part 1: Introduction to the Suttas 43:28
Guy Armstrong
The most reliable version of the teachings of the historical Buddha is found in the Pali suttas, or discourses, which make up about 20 volumes of texts. These teachings were transmitted orally for 400 years and were first written down around 100 B.C.E. Their survival to the present day in such a complete form is so unlikely that it might be considered as slightly miraculous. By studying these original texts we can discover the tremendous rewards that come from hearing the authentic voice of this amazing teacher. In this 4-week series we will explore a few key texts which contain some of the most important of the Buddha's teachings in their original formulations. In the first class we will offer an introduction to the overall study of these suttas, which present certain challenges given the spiritual, cultural and historical distances involved for us today. Students will be provided with good English translations of all the suttas covered. This series is suitable for experienced meditation students who have some understanding of the Buddha's basic teachings.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Sutta Study Class Series with Guy Armstrong & Richard Shankman

2012-01-15 Freedom from Fear 30:20
Amma Thanasanti
Colorado Springs Dharma Punx
Shakti Vihara

2012-01-15 Freedom from Fear - Q&A 34:20
Amma Thanasanti
Colorado Springs Dharma Punx
Shakti Vihara

2012-01-14 The Path Of Awareness 60:38
Mark Coleman
What is mindfulness - how can we develop it in our meditation and lives and how does awareness reveal freedom and its obstacles - i.e. the hindrances to meditate and how to to overcome them.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Living a Mindful and Compassionate Life: Insight and Metta Weekend

2012-01-14 Workshop - Living the Practice: Relating Wisely to Money, Livelihood, and Worldly Success 3:34:52
Mark Nunberg
Common Ground Meditation Center

2012-01-14 Seven Factors of Enlightenment Part 3 63:32
Michele McDonald
Calm, Concentration, Equanimity
Vipassana Hawai'i (Kyaswa Monastery) 2012 Kyaswa Monastery, Burma

2012-01-14 Differences Between Samatha and Vipassana 27:38
Stephen Snyder
This talk given by Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder includes: differences between the practices, useful ways to work with hindrances.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-14 Differences Between Samatha and Vipassana 28:36
Tina Rasmussen
This talk given by Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder includes: differences between the practices, useful ways to work with hindrances.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-14 What is Samatha / Concentration Meditation? 39:57
Tina Rasmussen
This talk includes: The three stages of Buddhist practice, what is samatha, which is concentration.
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center

2012-01-14 What's Compelling about the Concentration / Samatha Practice? 0:00
Stephen Snyder
(Recording not available) 
This talk given by Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder includes: what is compelling about this practice, reasons to do the practice, meditation instructions.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-01-14 What's Compelling about the Concentration / Samatha Practice? 40:20
Tina Rasmussen
This talk given by Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder includes: what is compelling about this practice, reasons to do the practice, meditation instructions.
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center

2012-01-13 Opening Talk For Mindfulness Retreat 34:11
Mark Coleman
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Living a Mindful and Compassionate Life: Insight and Metta Weekend

2012-01-13 Learning From Fear 59:39
Patricia Genoud-Feldman
Fear is often a part of the spiritual path. Learning from it helps growth in understanding and love
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge January 2012 at IMS - Forest Refuge

2012-01-13 Seven Factors of Enlightenment Part 2 60:32
Michele McDonald
The Joy of Pure Exploration
Vipassana Hawai'i (Kyaswa Monastery) 2012 Kyaswa Monastery, Burma

2012-01-13 Keep Coming Back 58:00
Kevin Griffin
The power of intention in sustaining your practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2012-01-13 Daily Life Practice 31:14
Donald Rothberg
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta

2012-01-12 The Honeyball Sutta: The Source of Our Confusion and the Way Out 57:10
James Baraz
In this discourse the Buddha explains how we get lost in our stories through papanca or proliferation of thought. The talk focuses on how papanca works in our lives and how we can work with it to free ourselves of confusion.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

2012-01-12 Seven Factors of Enlightenment Part 1 56:19
Michele McDonald
Mindfulness
Vipassana Hawai'i (Kyaswa Monastery) 2012 Kyaswa Monastery, Burma

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