Archive of Talks

  • Take a Chance with Chanting

    The world feels especially noisy right now, so let’s investigate sacred sound. Trina guided us this week in looking at how chanting and mantra are used in many spiritual practices, including Buddhism, and why it might be better than you think. Trina writes: I was unable to find a tidy 30-minute talk about this, so… Read more

  • Non-Dualism and Buddhism meet

    In recent times, different branches of Buddhism have been reinvigorated by the ideas and practices of ancient and modern non-dualism. In the process, Advaita Vedanta has entered often-fruitful conversations with Buddhists.  Michael guided our reflections this week as we explored several ways in which Buddhists augment their practice in light of non-dual perspectives. Read more

  • Being Peace

    In a world seething with chaos, rage, and suffering, what is our position in the world?  We have shared our feelings of grief, despair, frustration, helplessness, anger.  We have asked, what should we do?  What must we do?  How can we sit on our cushions in a world on fire?  The urge to fight back… Read more

  • Grief, moment by moment

    Ellen was struck a few months back by how many of us had lost parents and loved ones and were grieving. And then during last week’s gathering, one of the pervasive feelings in this political moment is grief. It is so important to make room for, to welcome and work with grief. During this week’s Sangha gathering,… Read more

  • Meeting the climate of fear

    For many Americans, the current political climate generates degrees of fear, ranging from a background level of worried concern to a constant state of dread.  And once they get a purchase on the psyche, these states can be self-perpetuating, like a chronic disease.   The Buddha often represented himself as a physician—for example, diagnosing the nearly universal… Read more

  • Knowing when to act on emotions

    Sitting with our thoughts and emotions is one of the first skills taught to beginners along our path. We learn how to be with difficult feelings without acting on the impulses that have controlled us our whole lives. However, the Buddha never said we should not act, only that we should act skillfully. How can… Read more