Archive of Talks

  • Confronting the Truly Big Questions

    How can we most effectively explore life’s existential questions using Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practices? Will pursuit of greater knowledge and certainty about Buddhist teachings lead to more profoundly meaningful living? Jane guided our reflections this Sunday, with particular reference to revered dharma teacher Stephen Batchelor (author of Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist), who offers another… Read more

  • Metta

    Metta — loving kindness or friendliness — is a foundational theme  in Early Buddhism and from the beginning has been understood as essential to a balanced practice.  In addition to cultivating the heart, metta has always also been framed as an excellent way to develop deeper samadhi, unity of mind. This week, Sam guided our… Read more

  • All Pervading Uncertainty

    The times we are living in seem far more uncertain than many of us have previously experienced.  Yet the Buddha’s teaching is that uncertainty is the norm, and that we can learn how to meet it with skill and an open heart.  This week, Ron guided our reflections on uncertainty and its relation to our… Read more

  • Buddhist Ecology

    Last week we heard from Brian Lesage about not taking things personally. This week, courtesy of Lorilee, we again hear from Brian and deepen our knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings about nature, in a talk he gave May 3rd this year “Being Aligned with the Dharma & Ecological Perception”. It is prescient that over 2… Read more

  • Different ways of seeing our experience as not personal

    How often do we feel harshly put upon when things don’t go according to our liking? A big tree falls on your car. The doctor’s office calls with the seriously bad results of your test. The drain in your shower is clogged. Your computer freezes and won’t do anything. Ants show up at your picnic.… Read more

  • Four Truths, Tasks, or Vows

    What are the Four Noble Truths? Buddhist practice epouses practice and insight, and yet the core teaching of the path is a short list of statements. How can we look at this teaching from another perspective? Perhaps the Truths are meant to be activity rather than philosophy. This week Eric played a talk by Stephen… Read more