Archive of Talks

Wendy Guided our reflections this morning, anchoring the discussion in Tara Brach’s talk “Freedom from Addiction.”  As Brach sees it, Addiction is a version of the Tanha or Thirst or Craving that the Buddha identified as the cause of suffering in the Second Noble Truth.  We reflected on addictions from email checking to substance abuse,… Read more

As our sangha met for the first time in our new location in the Lojong Space, Payton guided our reflections on Sangha, the sense of community that spreads from those seriously committed to the Buddhist path out to include all those we interact with, and finally to a sense of connection with the population of the… Read more

In our final meeting at Nancy’s Studio, Margaret guided our reflections on the twinned themes of Generosity and Gratitude.  These were, needless to say, deeply appropriate themes, since the sangha is deeply grateful for Nancy’s generosity in providing this beautiful space in which our sangha has met for the last several years.  Our reflections were… Read more

Though we may imagine that conflict and awakening are opposites, perhaps even mutually exclusive, Joey guided our explorations of how fully experiencing Conflict itself can lead to Awakening.  Central to the presentation was a talk by Tara Brach, which can be accessed here: http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/talk/23026/ Read more

Michael guided our reflections today, centering on a Dharma talk by artist and dharma teacher Marcia Rose, from the Forest Refuge, in which she explored the elusive and central experience of Not-Self in Buddhist practice.  Each time we look at this topic, different perspectives seem to be revealed, which is perhaps why Rose titles her… Read more

Rebecca guided our reflections on the Third Noble Truth and Nirvana, drawing on Joseph Goldstein’s “Mindfulness,”  thus connecting with last week’s exploration and offer new perspectives as well. Read more