Easing Awake with Doug Kraft

This talk explores 8 specific techniques for working with persistent hindrances: feelings not thoughts, crossed intentions, secondary hindrances, subtle intentions, dispassion, seeing impersonally, labels & language, and how hindrances want to self-destruct.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.   

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Subtle intentions are attitudes that quietly direct thoughts and feelings in various directions. They often operate behind the scenes and can throw us off balance. Becoming aware of them helps lighten the mind and bring contentment and clarity.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.  

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We can try to hold the “good” and push away the “bad.” This gives us more holding and pushing. Or we can look at what causes happiness to arise and cultivate those qualities. The Buddha showed us how to do this and find deeper well-being.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. 

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Hindrances may seem to obstruct our meditation. However, when we are aware of the present moment and the context of that moment at the same time, there are no hindrances. Whatever arises can become an object of awareness. This is how wisdom grows.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.

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We arise out of the web of all life. In time, we dissolve back into it. Self is only an ephemeral construct. Given this, where do we find contentment? What matters? There is no freedom for yourself.  There is only freedom from a self.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.

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The Buddha said to Bahiya of the Bark-cloth, “There is no hearer, just hearing; no seer just seeing.” Then Bahiya became fully enlightened. The nature of pure awareness explains how this happened and how we can awaken.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015.   

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If the self is infinite, nothing essential separates us. If there is no self (anattā), there is nothing to separate us. It is often easier to expand out to include everything than to shrink down to nothing. I think the Buddha would agree.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015.  

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 Buddhism is a way of turning toward and relaxing into what life brings. It doesn’t protect us from misfortune. But it does give us resilience. And it doesn’t fix us, because we aren’t broken. It’s a way of discovering what’s already here deep within.  
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015.  This is part 2 of "Turning Toward Life."

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Buddhism is a way of turning toward and relaxing into what life brings. It doesn’t protect us from misfortune. But it does give us resilience. And it doesn’t fix us, because we aren’t broken. It’s a way of discovering what’s already here deep within.  
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015.  This is part 1 of "Turning Toward Life."

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Dependent Origination maps the causal links that give rise to any experience.  To relieve suffering, we need to see the subtle, hidden causes, and relax them rather than blame ourselves. This is the core of the Buddha’s teaching.
This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015.  

Support the show