Archive of Talks

  • Other paths to Non-self

         It is sometimes noted that the Early Buddhist teaching tradition, in which our sangha mainly operates, is not entirely intuitively persuasive about anatta, non-self.        Other related traditions can provide experiential and intellectual support for the context out of which anatta arises.  This week, Eric brings to us a guided meditation from Richard Lang and a… Read more

  • Creativity and Awakening

    Some may be familiar with the poet Matsuo Basho’s haikus, each a literary snapshot of a moment in time.  One of his most famous is “The old pond,” here translated by Robert Hass: The old pond– a frog jumps in, sound of water. The more we look into it, the more remarkable it becomes. Artistic expression… Read more

  • Starting fresh, beyond stress and overwhelm

    The year’s beginning is a good time to renew our practice – and going back to basics with a fresh perspective can be a good way to do that. Jackie guided our session this Sunday, drawing on the approaches taught by dharma teacher Tuere Sala, known for her emphasis on meeting overwhelm and stress with… Read more

  • The Hindrance of Doubt

    Doubt is the fifth of the Five Hindrances, which the Buddha taught. Phillip Moffitt considers doubt to be the most devastating of the hindrances because when it arises and overwhelms the mind, the mind ceases to work to understand itself. Doubt also undermines effort. In this talk, Moffitt deconstructs doubt and suggests ways of applying… Read more

  • Our best home

    At the height of this season when so many are wishing each other joy and happiness, Jane presented a talk by Sharon Salzberg which unpacks the relationship between the four qualities of heart she thinks of as “our best home.” She describes key perspectives about the Brahma Viharas of Metta, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity, which can nourish our… Read more

  • The Dharma of Dementia

    There are many injuries, pains, and limitations that we must contend with as we age. Buddhist dharma advises us to see these things just as they are and remember our true nature. But what happens when our memory itself is injured? How can we practice and progress when we forget? This week, Payton tried to… Read more