Archive of Talks

  • Aversion

    This Sunday, Margaret led a discussion on the topic of Aversion. She used excerpts from a talk by Steve Armstrong: http://media.dharmaseed.org/cache/DS/19971016-Steve_Armstrong-IMSRC-aversion.mp3 Steve suggested a five step process for dealing with this challenging Hinderance: – Recognize – Restraint (from acting out the aversion) – Reframe – Reveal characteristics (explore the subtle differences between different forms of… Read more

  • Emotions and Moods

    This Sunday, Rebecca led a discussion centered around a talk by Pascal Auclair entitled “Instructions on working with emotions, moods and mind states”. The talk is available here: http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/198/talk/38452/ Read more

  • Mindfulness of Emotions

    Today, Payton led the discussion on mindfulness of emotions, as defined by Gil Fronsdal in his talk of the same name. The talk is available from Audio Dharma here: http://www.audiodharma.org/talks/audio_player/7306.html Gil spoke about using the acronym “RAFT” to pause and work with strong emotions as they appear in our minds and bodies. The acronym refers… Read more

  • Reflections on Happiness

    This Sunday, Zac led a discussion by exploring the concept of Happiness as it is understood in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Some questions which were explored: What does happiness mean in the Buddhist context? What are various ways it is understood in the teachings? What is the “highest happiness”? Why is there so much emphasis on… Read more

  • Sunyata – Emptiness

    This Sunday, Sam led a discussion on the topic of Emptiness. The first meaning of emptiness is called “emptiness of essence,” which means that phenomena [that we experience] have no inherent nature by themselves.” The second is called “emptiness in the context of Buddha Nature,” which sees emptiness as endowed with qualities of awakened mind… Read more

  • Hatred never ends by Hatred

    This Sunday, Michael played Gil Fronsdal’s dharma talk “Hatred Never Ends Hatred, by Non Hatred Does it end, This is an Ancient Truth” http://www.audiodharma.org/talks/audio_player/7454.html The following discussion centered around the ways in which we move skillfully and compassionately in a highly charged atmosphere, without succumbing to antagonism or fear. Read more