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Dharma Talks
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2025-05-07
Understanding and Responding to the World on the Basis of Core Teachings and Practices 2
67:28
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Donald Rothberg
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We first review of some of the themes explored last week. We look at the appropriateness of understanding and responding to social and political concerns, in the context of non-profit organizations and then in the context of the Buddha's teachings (which involved commentary on the caste system, on the origins of wars and poverty) and later Buddhist traditions (for example, King Ashoka, a practitioner in what is now India in 250 B.C.E. eliminated the death penalty, renounced war, and set up medical facilities for non-human animals). We then identify four foundations for bringing our attention to social and political concerns, including staying connected to the vision and practice of awakening and grounding ethically. This is followed by identifying, through the lens of teachings, six contemporary systems and ideologies (strengthened in the current U.S.) that manifest greed, aversion, and delusion and violate core ethical teachings. Then we look briefly at ways of practicing and responding individually, in connection with community. The talk is followed by discussion.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2025-02-16
An Appropriate Response
44:22
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Pamela Weiss
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In an old Zen story, a student comes to see his beloved teacher who is on his death bed and asks: Tell me, what is the teaching of your entire lifetime?
And the teacher replies: An appropriate response.
Tonight's talk will explore what it means to respond appropriately to a world on fire.
To support San Francisco Insight Meditation Community, please go here: sfinsight.org/donate
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San Francisco Insight Meditation Community
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2024-09-26
Noble Rescue
24:25
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Ayya Medhanandi
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How can we rescue ourselves from the obstacles to our happiness? We must not disregard the power of awareness in the present moment to vanquish suffering. For in this very moment is everything we need to know. All moments, whether tainted or blessed, are conditioned by their predecessor. Without care and discernment, vigilance and integrity, we could easily fall into states of decline. Ill-will begets enmity, while joy begets ease and serenity, and each moment is the mother of the next. So too, stepping into the joys of life as it unfolds, we live by the best qualities we can reap. One bare insight into truth and we know what we truly are. Then we open the gates to the Deathless.
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Sati Saraniya Hermitage
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2024-06-30
The Art of Harmlessness
22:58
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Ayya Medhanandi
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We humans share this journey of birth, old age, sickness and death. Sometimes we succumb to fear or sorrow; sometimes we are exhausted or disoriented as if lost on a perilous path. Seeing this universality of suffering and knowing its causes, we ask: "What will set us free?" With the lens of refined moral aptitude, in silent witness, we stop to listen and directly know for ourselves the inner joy and peace of true harmlessness. Patiently, our noble guides of benevolent compassion and wise reflection steer the heart to its liberation – awakening to Unconditional Love.
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Sati Saraniya Hermitage
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2024-06-27
Q&A
51:10
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Ajahn Sucitto
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00:08 Q1 You mentioned we should all contemplate/ meditate on death every day. How does one do that? 21:10 Q2 What to do when the ease of well-being and kindness of metta morph into profound awareness of suffering in the world and the lives of loved ones? 37:34 Q3 You wrote in ‘Breathing like a Buddha’ that “Full liberation therefore is equated with breaking the compulsive link between name and form". You mentioned this here as well. Can you re-explain please?
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Satipanna Insight Meditation (SIMT)
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A Mindful Resonance
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2024-05-23
Walking the Buddha's Path: Taking Refuge in a Human Teacher
34:51
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Gregory Kramer
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Offered May 23, 2024
Gregory Kramer invites the Insight Dialogue Community to celebrate Vesak together. Vesak day is a celebration and recognition of the Buddha’s birth, awakening and death. It usually occurs on the first full moon of May. A common intention set on this day is a recommitment to Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. This is a day to remember the Buddha's legacy and celebrate our potential for progress on the path to liberation, just as Gotama did before his awakening.
In this talk, Gregory offers the following contemplations:
Do you sense your own humanity? your own potential our own vulnerability?
Does your own humanity connect you to the Buddha? and inspire you?
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Insight Dialogue Community
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2024-04-08
Freedom from Fear
53:07
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Bhavana, cultivation, is associated with bringing into being fruitful states and dwelling in them. Without this ground, citta- heart - goes out, focuses on conditioned phenomena. The natural result will be uncertainty, anxiety, fear. Practices for clearing fear at its root are described: contemplation of death, mindfulness of body and breathing, generosity, virtue.
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Amaravati Monastery
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2024-02-25
Q&A
16:02
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Q1 This person says that they are very sensitive and that things like traffic signs, noises, imperfections and the bustle of reality disturbs them. Do you have any advice? Q2 01:23 Could you comment on aging, sickness and death. Most of my friends and myself are in their late 70s or 80s and want to be more skilled in working with different stages and pain so as to be as prepared as possible for the dying phase.
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Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat
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Cultivating the Empty Field
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2024-02-16
Q&A
35:35
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Ajahn Sucitto
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00:10 Q1 Please share tips to manage the flurry of emotions that might arise when we're back in our day today busy lives. 20:18 Q2 Sometimes when I think of my own death I don't care. How do we manage acceptance in a way that doesn't become apathetic or dull sense of I don't care. 27:47 Q3 How do you establish presence and find your center when your body is in unbearable pain? 34:16 Q4 Can you speak about the use of pharmaceuticals for perceived mental and physical imbalances?
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Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo, South Africa
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Regaining the Center
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2024-01-06
Q&A
50:10
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Q1 In samadhi, kāyasankhāra unifies with cittasankhāra. In this state what does the citta feel like? 16:25 Q2 Having associated wanting with a negative connotation I have been habitually suppressing my wants/ desires so sometimes it is hard to know what I want when it comes to important decisions. 31:41 Q3 During meditation is it OK to let my body move back and forth as I feel being pulled by a subtle energy flow. 33:00 Q4 Regarding death practice, do you have any advice? 39:52 Q5 When one becomes too comfortable in walking it becomes monotonous and the mind becomes dull but that’s not what we want, right? Any suggestions? 43:07 Q6 How do we practice dhamma in our daily life, especially in a hectic environment?
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Palilai Buddhist Temple
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Sharing Merit with the Broken Heart
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2023-12-10
Q&A
49:03
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Ajahn Sucitto
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00:00 Q1 When we're doing sitting meditation are we to be mindful of feelings inside the whole body as we breathe in and out? When anybody sensations or pain arises are we to contemplate them with loving kindness?
10:55 Q2 Is it okay to use the mantra Bhudo for sitting meditation?
11:58 Q3 Are there different realities of truth? For example historical, scientific, personal? Ultimate reality? Everything is what it should be, no good no bad.
17:07 Q4 How can the dhamma help two people in a relationship resolve an indiscretion of the moral code? How does the dhamma guide one to accept responsibility for actions that harm another?
20:23 Q5 Citta - is it a harmony between the brain and the heart? Does it include all levels of consciousness?
31:36 Q6 At the point of death what do we do when we're overwhelmed with pain? If the mind is too weak to maintain equanimity? What happens if one dies totally consumed by pain?
41:09 Q7 Could QiGong help me to be more balanced in body and mind?
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Wongsanit Ashram, Thailand
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Finding Your True Ground - Awareness as a Refuge
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2023-11-28
Q&A
47:06
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Questions are précised - 00:22 Q1 How to practice mindfulness of death? 16:27 Q2 We take in the world through the five senses. If we do not hear or see any news does that mean things, like the war in Gaza, are not really happening? 28:07 Q3 How do we know whether a kalyanamitta (spiritual friend) is trustworthy? 29:44 Q4 I get tension and constrictions in the chest and other places. I often get frustrated with this. Perhaps I am too preoccupied with it? 37:23 Q5 I am eager to understand imbalances – like jealousy and comparison - and to break through them quickly. What is your advice? 44:01 Q6 How can one influence or talk to other people about other views, like politics for example?
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Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
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Training for Life
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