As we study the Third Foundation of the Satipatthana Sutta we ask what is the mind and how does it seem to create a sense of self having the experience of an external world?
Loving Kindness is seen as central in the Buddha's path of practice and increasingly in mindfulness-based applications. This talk considers the reasons for this.
This talk looks at experience through the lens of the Buddha's teaching on the five aggregates. We take a close look at the ways we cling to the body, feeling and consciousness
One of the most illuminating themes in the Buddha's life story was the regular appearance of Mara--god of selfishness and greed, anger and fear, doubt and shame. Each time Mara surfaced, the Buddha's response was to say "I see you Mara," and invite him to tea. This talk explores how such unconditional friendliness and wisdom can bring healing and freedom to our lives.
Opening Talk for a retreat that offers the opportunity for those teaching or training in the field of mindfulness-based interventions to deepen their own experience and understanding of mindfulness practice.
As we do on the cushion, we practice metta in daily life in widening circles. We explore sustaining individual formal metta practice, metta in our relationships, and metta in the larger world. (Followed by questions and responses.)
Using images, stories and quotes from teachers and spiritual leaders, this talk explores the practice of equanimity, discussing the topics of dependent conditions, working with challenges to equanimity, and offering equanimity practice techniques.
Exploring how metta cheers us, how a cheerful heart calms and relaxes us; and how a calm, relaxed state ushers in more understanding and so, more metta.
The flag of trance is identifying as a separate, deficient self. This talk explores how developmentally we can get fixated on fears and unmet needs and cut off from the wholeness of Being that is our true nature. We explore the power of mindfulness --seeking not to change but to understand--and the expression of that understanding as love. The talk includes guided reflections that can help us recognize and awaken from the confines of trance.
In this second talk of the retreat, we explore further the spirit of metta, through teachings and stories, focusing as well on the themes of metta as a concentration practice, as opening a process of purification, and, as it matures, as increasingly embodied and wise.
Mindfulness of the body gave us stability of focus and mindfulness of feelings gave us the mechanism for how we project ourselves onto the world. Now we are sufficiently prepared to look at the mind itself.
The "Introduction to Metta" talk positions metta as the particular form of mindfulness that reflects the third foundation of mindfulness, attention to the contents of mind. It also is presented as the practice that follows the Buddha's instructions for Wise Effort, the purposeful cultivation in the mind of wholesome states.
How do we bring a loving presence to all of our experience- especially to our humanness, failed intentions. Cultivating mindfulness & kindness with our own experience becomes the template for living a wise life.
