Archive of Talks

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

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

It is said that we have 86,000 thoughts per day, almost all of which we also had yesterday.  When we examine our habitual thought patterns, do we see the roots of self-generated suffering?       How we shape and frame our incessant “stories” profoundly affects not only our own happiness, but that of those we… Read more

This Sunday, we had the opportunity to meet in person in our new space and to explore practice as Embodiment, guided by Ron, and drawing on a talk by Sebene Selassie titled “There is a Body,” which casts new light on mindfulness. You can listen to Sebene’s talk here: https://dharmaseed.org/talks/55071/ Read more

Beyond the degree of attention we normally give in mindfulness meditation lies the terrain of deeper absorption: the jhanas.   Although these states are described in the sutras, they often seem to be exotic and distant. Don shared with us this past week a step-by-step instruction video by Ajahn Brahm on cultivating the jhana state… Read more

     Loss. It is part of our lives and naturally part of the teachings of the Buddha. We are encouraged to reflect on a daily basis that we will be separated from all that we hold dear. One pair of the “worldly winds” which tug us in opposing directions is “gain and loss”.   … Read more