Archive of Talks

This past week, Jeffrey presented an overview of  the work of evolutionary psychologist Robert Wright, with a focus on Wright’s provocative book, Why Buddhism is True. His notes follow. Wright claims that the Buddha’s path to become free from suffering actually addresses the inherent insatiable imperatives of our brain that developed through natural selection. The discussion… Read more

On this last session of 2018, Michael led the Sangha discussion on the topic of vows. Below are his notes. At this time of year many are formulating resolutions for the next 12 months. Research has shown that while these intentions are admirable their average duration is short, and they falter and disappear as enduring… Read more

Today Payton led our Sangha discussion on the topic of Desire and its role in our daily life and our practice. This is a season of classic desire, and while the Buddhist path suggests that we try to find a way to be without desire, that instruction isn’t meant to be applied all the time.… Read more

Ginny led our reflections this past Sunday morning, focusing particularly on The Five Strengths outlined by the Buddha, which can support us in our practice.  Of particular interest are the ways in which these Strengths support healing, cultivating joy and connection. Probably thinking of the monkey mind, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche once said, “In the garden… Read more

Sam led our reflections this past Sunday, focusing on the way in which the rise and fall of the Five Aggregates — the elements of all experience — can actually bring us joy.  Sam played the talk “Intoxicated with Reality” by Eugene Cash, given at Spirit Rock: https://dharmaseed.org/teacher/68/talk/32320/ Some quotes he read too: Whenever he… Read more

This week, Zac guided our sangha discussion. He played an excerpt from a dharma talk by Rob Burbea and read a very insightful chapter from the book “I Am That” by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, some of which is quoted below. The talk by Rob Burbea is here: https://dharmaseed.org/teacher/210/talk/51513/ Here is an excerpt from “I Am That”: Maharaj: You were glad… Read more