Archive of Talks

We often seek out individual dharma teachers as guides along the path— wise figures on the face of the planet. But what happens when we reverse that perspective and accept the planet itself as dharma teacher?   We can realize great truths without the use of words simply by walking in a redwood forest, or gazing… Read more

In the Dhammapada, the Buddha says: “All conditioned things are impermanent.  When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering” (v 277). Jack Kornfeld says: “There is some sense that when you know that things change, and accept it, or you find composure in it … you find yourself in Nirvana.”   The… Read more

At the foundation of the Dharma is an ever-shifting relation to Dukkha.  Though simply being human means that dukkha will be a part of our life, the ways in which we meet it vary widely.  Even recognizing it can be a challenge, not to mention dealing with it, practicing with it.  And if we vow to free all… Read more

Somewhat surprisingly, the Buddha listed the Four Dignities of the Human Being as Sitting, Standing, Walking, and Lying Down.  Sitting and Walking have been extensively explored as meditation postures. What of the other two?      Suzuki Roshi (of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind) encouraged his students to study Sensory Awareness of Standing and Lying Down as ways… Read more

The Mula Sutta is a very concise teaching by the Buddha about the root (mula) of all the diversity of human behavior, and the insight by which we may wake up in virtually any situation. Guiding our session this Sunday, Ellen used a talk by Thanissara to frame our conversation. You can listen to the talk here:… Read more

Drawing on the work of poet, naturalist, translator David Hinton, Sam guided our reflections on the role of the body as a key stage for the first Noble Truth (dukkha), and for the fourth Noble Truth, the Path to liberation, as well. In addition to Hinton’s translations from the great Daoist Chuang Tzu, Sam shared excerpts from several dharma talks… Read more