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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Cara Lai's Dharma Talks
Cara Lai
Cara Lai spent most of her life trying to figure out how to be happy, or at least avoid total misery, so she sat still with her eyes closed for the majority of her adulthood. Throughout many consciousness adventures including a few mind-bendingly long meditation retreats, she has explored the wilderness of the mind, chronic illness, the importance of pleasure, and lots of other things that she might get in trouble for mentioning here. In the past, Cara has worked as an artist, wilderness guide, social worker and psychotherapist, but at this point she’s given up on being an adult in exchange for an all-out mindfulness rampage. Her teaching is relatable, authentic, funny and sometimes crass, and is accessible for many people. She teaches teens and adults at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, and UCLA; ultimately hoping to bend spoons with her mind. And to help people be happier.
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2025-04-05 Unpacking Equanimity (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 50:25
The deepest kind of peace: what it is, what it isn't, how it relates to boundaries and action in the world, and how to find it.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States
2025-04-04 Instructions on Metta for the Difficult Person (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:51
Sensing into a field of support and care hat can hold it all, even the enemy.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States
2025-04-02 Gentle Mindfulness Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 42:14
When we hear the words "be mindful," it often makes us think we have to intensify and be vigilant. But quite the opposite is true. This guided meditation is meant to help us find a softer, more receptive and sustainable way of being present.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States
2024-06-27 Mudita instructions and practice 32:03
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Teen Retreat
2024-06-26 The story of the Buddha 49:12
A contemporary telling of the story of the Buddha and how we can all relate
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Teen Retreat
2024-06-21 The case for passion 62:10
How passion can support us in the search towards dispassion
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Retreat – BIPOC
2024-06-20 The five hindrances 48:26
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Retreat – BIPOC
2024-06-19 Touching the earth 41:29
From the Plum Village tradition ceremony
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Retreat – BIPOC
2024-05-16 Closing Session (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:35:33
with Brian Lesage, Cara Lai, Matthew Brensilver
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Spring Insight: Understand the Mechanisms of the Salutary Effects of Mindfulness
2024-05-14 Leading with Love (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 45:42
How can I sit here when our house is burning down? How meditation, softening, and receptivity relates to activism and making real transformation in the world. The ways that hatred masquerades as fierce compassion, a deeper understanding of power and privilege, and how to lead with love.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Spring Insight: Understand the Mechanisms of the Salutary Effects of Mindfulness

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