Dharma Seed: dharma talks and meditation instruction

(Auckland Insight Meditation) Beginning with the breath, physical sensations and sounds, then opening up to include mental activity

(Common Ground Meditation Center)

(Common Ground Meditation Center)

(Insight Meditation Tucson) We explore the nature of ethical commitment and how our commitment not to harm also implies, following some of the teachings and actions of the Buddha and of other teachers, such as Thich Nhat Hanh, a commitment not to let others harm (or kill). On this basis, we then outline a number of possible ways to act to address the harm of racism, clarifying an important aspect of such action--that our actions to address harm as much as possible not cause further harm themselves. We end by remembering that we need perspectives and capacities, inner and outer, that help us to be engaged for the "long haul."

(Auckland Insight Meditation) An introduction to working directly with the mind, practicising mindfulness of thinking

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with a brief review of the previous week's talk and discussion, in which we explored a number of ways to deepen (1) our formal practice; (2) our informal (daily life) practice; and (3) our service, work, and/or activism as practice. This exploration points to a broadened sense of practice.

We then examine in some depth three inter-related foundational areas for deepening practice in all three areas: (1) developing mindfulness of the body; (2) working to transform reactivity (here as a translation of "dukkha"), including as it manifests in challenging or difficult experiences; and (3) pausing and setting intentions. Our discussion particularly goes into being skillful with challenging experiences.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) As our meditation practice matures, we may see the importance of relinquishing grudges, judgments and resentments through honest reconciliation. Through these practices we may discover the liberating experience of authentic reconciliation that may lead to greater peace and forgiveness.

(Common Ground Meditation Center)

(Common Ground Meditation Center)

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The Buddha taught: "We are what we think. With our thoughts we make the world." We will explore mana or "the conceit of I am" and how we construct a sense of self with our mind. Based on how we see ourselves or how we compare with others, mana or the conceit of “I am” is born. This tendency leads to "The Three Conceits: I am superior, I am inferior, I am equal to." If we're not mindful, we then erroneously proceed to make a permanent, solid entity of self. We explore how not seeing this clearly creates suffering and how we can free ourselves of this self-constructed suffering.