Archive of Talks

This Sunday Patrick guided our reflections, turning to the topic of living in and with uncertainty.  Anchoring in a talk by  Zohar Lavie called “Anicca, Equanimity, and Bodhicitta,” we explored the roles these three have in working with the uncertainties we experience everyday. We discussed how uncertainty can bring a new way of seeing, and how it… Read more

This Sunday Denise guided our reflections on vedana, the sensation or “feeling tone” that arises when our senses come into contact with something.  We focused on the challenges and benefits of working specifically with vedana as a part of one’s spiritual practice. Here’s the references from Denise’s talk: Analayo. 2018. Satipatthana Meditation: A Practice Guide.… Read more

This Sunday we explored space and spaciousness. Contacting and abiding in spaciousness can be a deeply liberating practice and, for some teachers and traditions, is a central concept and practice on the path of awakening. Zac guided our reflections as we contemplated spaciousness experientially, examined how it shows up in some teachings, and considered its… Read more

Treat every moment as your last; it is not preparation for something else. Shunryu Suzuki This week, Payton guided the Sangha in a simple tea ceremony practice as we explore how this ancient beverage can create a sacred space in our daily life.  This quote set the stage for our sitting: “If asked / the nature of… Read more

Over the last several weeks, voices from the non-dual tradition have been getting a hearing in our sangha meetings.  Michael, Jeff, and Joey have each drawn on the teachings of Rupert Spira, as well as others in that tradition.  This past week, Sam guided our reflections, drawing on the thoughts of long-time buddhist teacher Guy Armstrong. The… Read more

Wise View is the first component of the Eightfold Noble Path, and one that can shape all the other aspects of the Path.  Following on Jeffrey’s presentation on perception, this week Joey continued the discussion with offerings from Yuka Nakamura, Mark Nunberg and Rupert Spira that explore Wise View and how we can practice it.… Read more