Archive of Talks

  • Right Effort

    During this week’s Sangha, Jeffrey facilitated the topic of Right Effort. A talk by Ayya Anandabodhi and the discussion focused on improving one’s practice through pursuit of Right Effort, the 6th element in the Eightfold Path. Right Effort addresses the quality of effort, proper amount of effort, and finding the appropriate approach to each situation.… Read more

  • Practicing Justice

    This past week Ginny guided our reflections, exploring the deep connections that arise between our formal practice and our engagement with our communities, large and small. How does our practice on the cushion support our vibrant presence amidst a challenging world? She played excerpts from Angel Kyodo Williams and Natalie Goldberg to provide different perspectives… Read more

  • Avija

    This week Stephen led our Sangha’s discussion, examining the depth of the concept of “Avija”. Early Buddhism sees Avijja (Ignorance/Misunderstanding)/Confusion/Delusion/’Not Getting It’) as the root cause leading to suffering. Avijja is seen as including misconceptions regarding the nature of reality, especially regarding Impermanence, Suffering, and Non-Self/Emptiness. Such misunderstandings lead onwards to the pursuit of grasping… Read more

  • Our North Star

    Britt guided our reflections this week, exploring our personal North Stars. Reconnecting with what brought us to practice, and probing why we continue to do so, can affirm and reinvigorate our commitments to awakening into presence. Britt played a talk by Michele McDonald called “Spiritual Urgency and Awakening – Touched Completely by the Universe 18”… Read more

  • Skillful Effort: not too much, too little, but just right

    Today Mike B offered a presentation centered around a dharma talk by Shaila Catherine, a teacher mainly known for her work in concentration. But the talk today was much more wide ranging, covering the many different aspects of Wise Effort. She made clear that a wide spectrum of effort can be appropriate in meditation, from… Read more

  • Sense of Identity: where does it come from?

    This week, Margaret guided our reflections as we continued the theme of identity from Lorilee’s Sangha last Sunday. Margaret played excerpts from a talk by Rodney Smith: http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/148/talk/38402/ Below are some quotes which were used during the discussion. When you hear your inner voice, 
forget it.
 -Hyoen Sahn Krishnamurti: “It is the truth that liberates, not… Read more