Dharma Seed - Mary Grace Orr's Dharma Talks

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In Memoriam: Rick Woudenberg

The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings

Mary Grace Orr's Dharma Talks

Mary Grace Orr

Lately, my own practice is moving more and more into the monastic world. As I teach out of that nourishment, I find people hungry for the traditional, solid forms of the Dharma. I see people's lives changing when they engage in these forms. Certainly, as I deepen my own Sutta study, I find the traditional ideas so helpful it encourages me to delve further.

In this, I am learning how to ride the edge of a question, instead of reaching for answers. When I let the question hang there, as a living presence, its very aliveness stimulates movement toward an answer, an opening.

Some key factors imprint my teaching. The fact that I'm a purely Western-produced Dharma teacher, without the influence of Eastern traveling, and that I'm a middle-aged Western woman with a psychological background. Also, my years in a Christian practice now translate into my engagement with such ideas as embodiment: how do we take the practice and live it? What is practical in the Dharma, a sort of Buddhist Householder Hints.

From my perspective, the world is in serious trouble. We have separated ourselves from all other beings, and in the process do a lot that keeps us from being present. It is so urgent that we learn to be present and see what is true about our being here, that we live with kindness and compassion for all beings. Vipassana supports these intentions and helps us all heal, no matter what the eventual outcome may be.

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2010-04-22 Lovingkindness 33:58	Download Listen
Insight Santa Cruz

2010-03-23 The Freedom of Truth 48:22	Download Listen
How do we hold all of the joys and sorrows, skillful and unskillful actions, wounds and blessings that we see when we practice intensely.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : March 2010 at IMS - Forest Refuge

2010-03-16 Knowledge and Vision of Things as They Are 49:28	Download Listen
A continuation of the series on transcendental dependent origination-the beginnings of insight.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : March 2010 Month Long

2010-03-09 Following Faith to Liberation 48:39	Download Listen
The Buddha teaches both about the cycle of suffering and another cycle leading to liberation. When we willingly encounter our suffering directly, conviction arises and leads us deeper into our practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : March 2010 Month Long

2010-02-25 Metta 28:53	Download Listen
Insight Santa Cruz

2010-01-21 Four Foundations 46:06	Download Listen
Insight Santa Cruz

2010-01-14 Brahma Viharas 43:49	Download Listen
Insight Santa Cruz

2009-12-10 Forgiveness 42:25	Download Listen
Insight Santa Cruz

2009-11-19 Opening the Doors of the Heart 56:04	Download Listen
How can we open our hearts? This talk explores the practices of forgiveness and compassion, as well as that of gratitude. The Metta Sutta provides the background for this exploration.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat

2009-11-17 Curiosity, Confidence and Contentment 45:48	Download Listen
We need places of refuge in our lives and we need an inner place of stillness. Curiosity, confidence and contentment as we develop mindfulness can be useful in developing inner refuge.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat

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