Archive of Talks

This week we listened to a talk on the Four Noble Truths, in part building on Michael’s talk last week that included references to the Buddha’s first teaching, the core principles they pointed to, and the path to which they led.  All these were laid out in his very first sermon, offered to his five fellow seekers at Sarnath.… Read more

The dharma is most familiar to us in the words of the sutras.  Less explored and of real value are the gestures that characterize the Buddha, as captured in tiny pendants to massive statues hundred of feet high.  Here we can find a world of physical movement and contemplative pause,  which embody particular mind states of the… Read more

For many people, fear is a constant companion. Not completely paralyzing fear, just the low-level anxiety that everyone will judge you for your actions or that you’ll fail. It’s an emotion that’s there to protect us from real danger, but which has been over-activated by our environment. Sometimes this is just an inconvenience but at… Read more

Returning to the most basic instructions – awareness of the body, feelings, heart-mind and dhammas reveals how these instructions feel differently under different conditions. and open different insights. Darryl guided our reflections, drawing from a talk by Dawn Scott and a guided meditation from Yahel Avigur. Both presentations examine reactivity, body awareness and ways of noticing and… Read more

Given the environment we now find ourselves in, more extreme than ever, it can become difficult to maintain our path and practice.  How do we best work with whatever dysregulation we are experiencing?  How can we be there for others who are going through their stress? Jackie guided our reflections, drawing on a talk by… Read more

Absorption in a concentrated state may be a goal as we sit on the meditation cushion.  But it can in some degree be achieved, and utilized, in everyday life as well.  And the calm steadiness it offers can stabilize our lives and our thoughts, as can spending time in nature.   As Ajahn Sucitto points out, this cultivated… Read more