Archive of Talks

Michael guided our reflections today, first by setting Investigation (dhamma vicaya) in the context of the progressive chain of the 7 Factors of Awakening (mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, calm, concentration and equanimity) and then by distinguishing the different versions of these factors which do or don’t aim at enlightenment.  The two types of investigation, analytic… Read more

Donia framed our second inquiry into Mindfulness, the first Factor of Awakening, with short excerpts from two talks, both by Donald Rothberg 2010-10-13 Mindfulness-What it is and What Makes it Difficult http://archive.dharmaseed.org/media/recordings/2010/10/20101013-Donald_Rothberg-SR-mindfulness_what_it_is_and_what_makes_it_difficult.mp3 2007-10-26 Supporting And Deepening Daily Life Practice http://archive.dharmaseed.org/media/recordings/2007/10/20071026-Donald_Rothberg-SR-supporting_and_deepening_daily_life_practice.mp3 and then invited us to enter on-the-spot experiments in mindfulness.  For those interested in revisiting… Read more

Rebecca began our explorations of the Seven Factors of Awakening with a look into the first factor – Mindfulness – from a neurological point of view.  The core reading for the morning was Daniel Siegel’s article from the Shambhala Sun, titled “The Science of Mindfulness,” to which the following link will lead you. http://shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3501&Itemid=0 Read more

This Sunday Michael, as a balance to the Five Hindrances and a bridge to the Seven Factors of Awakening, introduced an excerpt from Steve Armstrong’s talk on A Lifestyle of Awareness, which focuses on the Five Strengths: Confidence Energy Mindfulnes Concentration and Wisdom.  We listened to and discussed the first thirty minutes, which addressed Confidence/Faith… Read more

Maryann guided our reflections on the fifth and final hindrance in our tour of these impediments and how to overcome them (and we noted that Restlessness is among the very last fetters to disappear before complete Awakening!).  Maryann utilized excerpts from a Dharma Talk by Sally Clough Armstrong, given during the current three-month retreat at… Read more

Joey guided our reflections on doubt, sparking our discussion with excerpts from two dharma talks:  Joseph Goldstein on Doubt and Aversion and How They Influence our Lives and Practice http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/96/talk/9014/ Tara Brach’s dharma talk, Trusting Our Secret Beauty, can be found here http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/?search=trusting+our+secret+beauty Though time prevented even an excerpt of a third talk being included… Read more