Archive of Talks

This Sunday Patrick guided our reflections, on the topic of Karma and Reincarnation, drawing on a talk by Joseph Goldstein about the role that karma plays in our everyday lives and the consequences of our volitional acts, including some consideration of reincarnation.  We explored the different beliefs people have about reincarnation, the role it might have in our… Read more

To what extent do we create our own reality with our perceptions and ruminations?  This week Margaret guided our reflections, using excerpts from talks by Christina Feldman to explore the ways in which mindfulness of moods can help us discern when our experience is clouded and when it is sharpened by our mental processes and our… Read more

As well as being experienced in the outer world, the suffering of inner homelessness and and the joy of inner homecoming can be felt acutely as parts of the journey toward spiritual and psychological maturity.  Sam guided our reflections this Sunday, drawing particularly on the insights of Christina Feldman. We listened to a talk by… Read more

This Sunday the topic for our exploration and reflection was the Four Noble Truths. With teachings from Thich Nhat Hanh and Stephen Batchelor, Ginny led us on an exploration of the foundational nature of this teaching. We discussed how just “showing up” and witnessing the activity of our mind can often be the hardest and… Read more

Evolutionary psychology claims that imagination is what makes homo sapiens sapient.  And somewhat surprisingly, imagination is essential in following the Buddhist Path.  This week, Michael guided our reflections as we explored the various ways in which imagination (often discouraged when we first come to meditate) deepens our practice, both on and off the cushion, and… Read more

The teachings of the Buddha can sometimes be very heady, satisfying to the mind but not as applicable in our lived experience. The dharma, however, is meant to be a practice which is felt in every aspect of our waking being, not just an intellectual pursuit. This week, Mike B guided the discussion around the topic… Read more