Archive of Talks

Payton led the discussion on Sunday around the topic of sitting (or walking, or standing, or lying down) with physical discomfort and pain. The focus was a talk given by Sky Dawson, available here: http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/199/talk/20612/ Some key points from her talk: Is a mountain heavy? Only if we try to pick it up. What happens… Read more

Sam hosted this session on Freedom, with differing perspectives offered by three dharma teachers: Jack Cornfield, Tara Brach, and Christina Feldman. “A Taste of Freedom”,  Christina Feldman, 12-27-08,  [0:00—1:38 and 9:38-19:37]. http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/44/talk/10805/ “The Great Perfection: The Taste of Freedom”,  Tara Brach, 10-5-99, [0:00-22:01]. http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/talk/1950/ “Freedom and the Way it is…”, Jack Kornfield, 9-6-10,  [10:53-15:52]. http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/85/talk/10011/ Read more

Rebecca guided a fascinating conversation today on the oft-misunderstood topic of Renunciation as an element of the Eightfold path.  Rebecca read passages from Joseph Goldstein’s book, Mindfulness: a Practical guide to Awakening.     Read more

This Sunday Wendy guided the sangha through a continuation of our recent discussions of “stream entry” from the Buddhist perspective. A recorded talk by Stephen Bachelor was included and is linked below: http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/169/talk/29153/     Read more

This Sunday Zac prompted our reflection and dialogue with the story of the Four Divine Messengers. The tale holds truths about initiatory experiences, setting forth on the path, catalysts for transformation, and reveals a particular archetype of the spiritual path. The talk and discussion focused on the divine messengers in our lives today. Read more

Michael guided our reflections today with a talk on Stream Entry, the first definitive stage of Awakening, after which there is really no turning back. A variety of canonical readings on Stream Entry can be found at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/search_results.html?cx=015061908441090246348%3Adj4lxnh4dda&cof=FORID%3A9%3BNB%3A1&ie=UTF-8&q=stream+entry&sa=Search The story of Siddhartha’s bowl floating upstream can be found in The Buddhacarita  or  Acts of the… Read more