Archive of Talks

     The Buddha frequently closed his dharma discourses recommending that his followers then turn to take up the practice of the Jhanas, to help them deepen their practice and complement their understanding.  The Jhanas outline a progressive path of stilling, clearing, and focusing the mind that takes us beyond the practices of vipassana, and into… Read more

At the heart of forgiving is developing a skillful, unstuck relationship past harm — ours or others.  Choosing to forgive, we end the story of suffering and all that flows from it, then or now.  It is a kindness toward ourselves as well as others. Jeff guided our steps over this tender ground this week, drawing in… Read more

What maintains and what strengthens a healthy Sangha? How does practicing in Sangha support us on the path to liberation, in our practice and in our life generally?  As Sangha members become our dharma friends, might we meet for other events beyond Sunday mornings?  Darryl framed our discussion this week with a talk by Jill Shepherd and a few words… Read more

     This Sunday’s In-person Meeting of the Sangha featured Tea and Cookies to accompany the discussion circle around the coffee table, all provided by Stephanie, our presenter.        In a world in which our media and politics often deploy Fear as a primary motivator, Stephanie will share a talk by The recorded talk… Read more

     Each of us knows the experience of having our minds hijacked by extraneous thoughts that whisk us far away from the present.  Among the ways we seek to correct course is to draw upon the capacities of our individual minds, by trying to ‘concentrate harder.’        We rarely seek balance outside ourselves.   But… Read more

     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