Thanissara, from London, was a monastic for 12 years in the tradition of Ajahn Chah and has taught internationally for over 35 years. She is co-founder of Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat, South Africa, Sacred Mountain Sangha, California, and Chattanooga Insight, Tennessee. She has an MA in Mindfulness Psychotherapy Practice from the Karuna Institute UK and is co-author of Listening to the Heart, A Contemplative Guide to Engaged Buddhism, author of Time To Stand Up, An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth, and several books of poetry.
The Mula Sutta is a profound teaching that in ten lines condenses the journey from separative consciousness to the non dual heart. Thanissara will explore the process of unfolding this journey as it moves through the dissolution of discordant and isolating narratives to deepening trust in intuitive awareness informed by the living Dharma.
Beyond self obsession. Cultivating heart within the relational field. Supporting a sustainable world. A deadly situation turned around by the power of compassion.
A teaching for an open mind: The Four Noble Truths. Practice within four domains of experience to free the mind. Realization of the unconditioned, peace, nibbana.
Our environmental crisis is generated by an obsession with ownership and individualism that obscures the truth of our inter-dependence within a web of life. In a world divided by inequity, racism, and wars, Dharma practice shatters the illusion of dualistic consciousness, offering a new paradigm. This mini-retreat explores the process which generates divisiveness: papanca or conceptual proliferation in service of delusion. The ending of papanca reveals the unshakeable depth and the undivided nature of reality at the heart of all circumstances, revolutionizing our way of being and living — both personally and globally.
The retreat, for contemplatives and activists, is framed within depth teachings of emptiness and merciful compassion embodied by Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, who is a metaphor for our deepest, mysterious heart. It includes Dharma teachings, meditation and inquiry sessions, qi-gong, group process, psycho-spiritual exploration, and the cultivation of inner skills for activists. Besides applying the liberating practices and teaching of mindfulness and insight meditation, we will use chanting and ceremony.
Our environmental crisis is generated by an obsession with ownership and individualism that obscures the truth of our inter-dependence within a web of life. In a world divided by inequity, racism, and wars, Dharma practice shatters the illusion of dualistic consciousness, offering a new paradigm. This mini-retreat explores the process which generates divisiveness: papanca or conceptual proliferation in service of delusion. The ending of papanca reveals the unshakeable depth and the undivided nature of reality at the heart of all circumstances, revolutionizing our way of being and living — both personally and globally.
The retreat, for contemplatives and activists, is framed within depth teachings of emptiness and merciful compassion embodied by Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, who is a metaphor for our deepest, mysterious heart. It includes Dharma teachings, meditation and inquiry sessions, qi-gong, group process, psycho-spiritual exploration, and the cultivation of inner skills for activists. Besides applying the liberating practices and teaching of mindfulness and insight meditation, we will use chanting and ceremony.
Our environmental crisis is generated by an obsession with ownership and individualism that obscures the truth of our inter-dependence within a web of life. In a world divided by inequity, racism, and wars, Dharma practice shatters the illusion of dualistic consciousness, offering a new paradigm. This mini-retreat explores the process which generates divisiveness: papanca or conceptual proliferation in service of delusion. The ending of papanca reveals the unshakeable depth and the undivided nature of reality at the heart of all circumstances, revolutionizing our way of being and living — both personally and globally.
The retreat, for contemplatives and activists, is framed within depth teachings of emptiness and merciful compassion embodied by Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, who is a metaphor for our deepest, mysterious heart. It includes Dharma teachings, meditation and inquiry sessions, qi-gong, group process, psycho-spiritual exploration, and the cultivation of inner skills for activists. Besides applying the liberating practices and teaching of mindfulness and insight meditation, we will use chanting and ceremony.
Our environmental crisis is generated by an obsession with ownership and individualism that obscures the truth of our inter-dependence within a web of life. In a world divided by inequity, racism, and wars, Dharma practice shatters the illusion of dualistic consciousness, offering a new paradigm. This mini-retreat explores the process which generates divisiveness: papanca or conceptual proliferation in service of delusion. The ending of papanca reveals the unshakeable depth and the undivided nature of reality at the heart of all circumstances, revolutionizing our way of being and living — both personally and globally.
Copies of Thanissara's book, Time To Stand Up, An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth, will be available for purchase and can be signed by the author.
At the core of our climate crisis, is the dualistic mind that continually generates an ‘other’ that is ‘out there,’ distorting the reality of deep inter-being. From economic systems founded in colonialism, slavery, and servitude, the mindset of ‘less important lives’ fuels a process of abuse that is now killing our living planet. How can our practice inform us as we stop the madness, and enter the journey of reclamation, healing, resistance and activism.
This Dharma teaches “our heart / mind (citta) is already pure, luminous, free and endowed with wisdom.” Realizing this is the fruit of practice while the embodiment of this truth is the path of practice. To walk this path is a life time undertaking which is made all the sweeter through fellowship within “beloved community.” This weekend we explore teachings and practices of freedom while deepening support of ourselves within community. Besides drawing from classical teachings of Dharma and meditation, we will also focus on practices and teachings from Kuan Yin bodhisattva of deep wisdom and compassion, who is a metaphor for our true heart. There will be Dharma teachings, meditation practice, discussion, chanting, ceremony and cultivation of authentic inquiry.
This Dharma teaches “our heart / mind (citta) is already pure, luminous, free and endowed with wisdom.” Realizing this is the fruit of practice while the embodiment of this truth is the path of practice. To walk this path is a life time undertaking which is made all the sweeter through fellowship within “beloved community.” This weekend we explore teachings and practices of freedom while deepening support of ourselves within community. Besides drawing from classical teachings of Dharma and meditation, we will also focus on practices and teachings from Kuan Yin bodhisattva of deep wisdom and compassion, who is a metaphor for our true heart. There will be Dharma teachings, meditation practice, discussion, chanting, ceremony and cultivation of authentic inquiry.
This Dharma teaches “our heart / mind (citta) is already pure, luminous, free and endowed with wisdom.” Realizing this is the fruit of practice while the embodiment of this truth is the path of practice. To walk this path is a life time undertaking which is made all the sweeter through fellowship within “beloved community.” This weekend we explore teachings and practices of freedom while deepening support of ourselves within community. Besides drawing from classical teachings of Dharma and meditation, we will also focus on practices and teachings from Kuan Yin bodhisattva of deep wisdom and compassion, who is a metaphor for our true heart. There will be Dharma teachings, meditation practice, discussion, chanting, ceremony and cultivation of authentic inquiry.
Join Kittisaro & Thanissara for the launch of their new book, "Listening to the Heart" for this Friday evening talk.
The Buddha taught “Be a light unto yourself.” He also encouraged the development of spiritual friendship for mutual support along the path. Tonight we invite you to join us in friendship and celebration of the Dharma in our lives that ever guides us as we “Listen into the Heart.”
Journey through shadow, understanding sankhara - patterning, and the patient and challenging process of compassionate relationship. Mr Mandela's journey into "I love you all"
Journey through shadow, understanding sankhara - patterning, and the patient and challenging process of compassionate relationship. Mr Mandela's journey into "I love you all"
Balance of calm and insight practice, wisdom arising from dukkha, practice of overcoming suffering, Bahiya's (the disciple who understood the teaching quickest) question to the Buddha.
The practice of renunciation. Leaving behind & going forth. Contemplation of death. Tolerating uncertainty. Entering the flow of Life as an act of trust. The Great Earth & times of radical shift. Grace. Wisdom of the KoiSan People
Thanissara with David Loy, Ayya Santussika Bhikkhuni and Ayya Santacitta Bhikkhuni.
Unfortunately, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi was ill on the day of our call and was not able to join us. We wish him a speedy and thorough recovery. In this call, Ayya Santussika Bhikkhuni mentioned two resources: the international, interfaith effort Our Voices as well as the “Pledge to Mobilize” at the Climate Mobilization. She also invited those interested in taking action together as Buddhists on the national or local/regional level to email her at santussika at gmail.com.
Finally, Dave Damm-Luhr mentioned the upcoming film from the same group that brought us “The Overview Effect.” This new film, “Planetary” (see the trailer here) maybe well-timed for action around the March deadline for targets into the UN climate talks that Lou mentioned.
Thanissara with Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni and Susie Harrington.
In this conversation, Susie Harrington mentioned two sources: Kerry Nelson’s offering of online workshops at A Place for Peace as well as Vinit Allen’s Sustainable World Sourcebook. Both offer ways to engage individually but also at the community level.Rev angel Kyodo williams mentioned the site What Is Missing? from Maya Lin offering an interactive experience of all that has been and continues to be lost to which you can add your own accounting.
Applying the insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice. Contributions are offered by individual teachers, and organizations such as Buddhists for Racial Justice.
Through meditations, Dharma reflections, use of mantra, ceremony and Core Process Inquiry, we will evoke the Heart of Kuan Yin. Entering stillness and silence we listen into Kuan Yin allowing appropriate response to emerge. Kuan Yin is not male or female, Asian or Western or even Buddhist, but a metaphor for the deepest truth of our own unbreakable hearts connection with the universal heart of wisdom and compassion. A wisdom that springs forth from letting go of the known to align with the knowing of our original wakefulness, and merciful compassion that emerges from the truth of our profound intimacy with all things.
