Archive of Talks

This past week Mike Blouin guided our reflections on Fear — a factor of mind that can produce effects from subtle unease to total panic, with effects that radiate into our own lives and the lives of those around us. In addition to a very productive discussion, we listened to excerpts from several recorded talks:… Read more

Dear friends of the Vipassana Sangha There will be no Sangha meeting this Sunday, March 13. The Fire Department is testing the alarms and sprinkler systems during the hours we would normally meet ! See you the following Sunday.  Read more

Today Payton led a discussion on ways we can engage with the Eight Worldly Winds in a skillful manner, without being caught by the sense of self. Here are some notes on the Winds: Praise: there is a difference between accepting praise and needing it. Blame: if someone blames me does it mean that they… Read more

Margaret led our reflections this past Sunday on how we respond to real or perceived criticism. What are our own responses to our perceptions of criticism from within and without? How about praise? How can we respond wisely when these “worldly winds” blow in our lives? The talk was supported by this recording of James… Read more

Last Sunday, Michael directed our reflections on breath, dividing the session into two parts. First was the way the Buddha described his own default practice during the long rains retreats as a “sacred dwelling, a noble dwelling, and a tathagatha’s dwelling. To explicate this, we began by listening to a short excerpt (minutes 11-27) from… Read more

This Sunday Wendy guided a discussion which revolved around the idea of Personas and the sense of self. The central theme was being able to exist in roles and experience the world without being caught up in one “self” or another. That is, to still have an ego, but to recognize it and be able… Read more