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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Sylvia Boorstein's Dharma Talks
Sylvia Boorstein
My greatest joy is giving the gift of love and hope through the dharma, knowing it is possible for humans to transform their hearts. These dharma gifts include paying attention, practicing clarity and kindness and addressing the suffering of the world--which, of course, includes ourselves.
2001-06-13 The Soul and The Cosmos are Dancing 58:30
2001-04-18 Paramita Meditation 67:53
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2001-04-18 Holding Hands 30:10
In thinking about the path of awareness and the refining of the heart that is the purpose of Buddhist philosophy, Sylvia suggests that she would like to amend the Eightfold Path to be the "Ninefold Path," adding Right Relationship as the ninthfold. Right Relationship is the sense of connection we feel in the world that holds us up. Hand holding is the metaphor Sylvia uses to symbolize this connection. Hands take us from the womb, and they put us in the grave. In between, it is one big "hand holding."
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2001-03-01 Metta Sutta 60:54
A reading and discussion of the Lovingkindness Sutta.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2001-02-28 Born to Win 58:00
2001-02-21 Patience 64:28
2001-02-14 Stop 63:07
How to use "stopping" as a tool in wise practice. Kindness and goodness are parameters to measure our practice. Stories of the Buddha including "a wise ape teaches kindness." Discussion of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2001-02-08 Cemetery Contemplations, Old And New 56:14
Sharing reflections on wisdom and compassion, and the cemetery contemplations of the Mahasatipatthana Sutta.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2001-02-07 Untying The Knots 60:18
Referencing her own experiences, Sylvia explores the stories we make up for ourselves to substantiate or justify certain views (opinions) that we hold about things -- some to the point of making them into "truths." After considering the possible origins of these views, Sylvia exposes the profound suffering caused by holding these views and the stories around them. Taking it a step further, she wonders: What is the relationship between hope and opinion? Is it wrong to hope or is it part of the nature of the human organism? Perhaps, she concludes, it is the solidified view we hold around a hope that causes suffering.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2001-01-24 Thoughts on Renunciation 44:55
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

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