Have you ever experienced the feeling of confidence (or faith or devotion) in your spiritual practice?  Like mindfulness, it is a quality of mind to be cultivated.  When MOI teacher Johnathan Woodside speaks of confidence in this week's talk, he is not referring to that of arrogance, but that which arises out of wisdom and clear seeing.  He states that it comes from the trust that is established through personal lived experience.  As with everything, confidence is dependent on causes and conditions.  The primary three include (1) giving attention to the impermanent changing nature of reality, (2) giving care and respect to one's mediation practice, and (3) developing a continuity of mindfulness.   

If you feel inspired by these teachings, and wish to practice generosity, please consider supporting MOI and its teachers by visiting, https://mindfulnessoutreachinitiative.org/generosity/  

The mind, by nature, is radiant, shining, and pure -- like perfectly refined gold. Yet, many difficulties can arise due to visiting forces in the mind, known as defilements. In this week's talk, MOI teacher Kyle Sorys explores the primary defilements of greed, aggression, and delusion. In addition to mentioning what they are and ways to work with them,  he also encourages us to deeply know them. "Tremendous understanding comes from being able to engage the defilements," he says, "It is this understanding that will free you from them."   

If you feel inspired by these teachings, and wish to practice generosity, please consider supporting MOI and its teachers by visiting, https://mindfulnessoutreachinitiative.org/generosity/

Based on past questions and conversations with students, MOI teacher Mark Wiesman discusses the following five topics:

1. Working with difficulties, especially with events from the past and worries about the future.

2. What's the purpose of this path?  What to do when practice feels like it's not working or going very well.

3. Counteracting the Five Hindrances of sensual desire, ill-will, sloth & torpor, restlessness & worry, and doubt.

4. The various Buddhist traditions.

5. Nirvāṇa / Nibbāna

While unpacking these topics, Mark emphasizes the importance of periodical reflection.  He suggests frequently asking the following: "What do I want from my practice?  Where do I want to go with this?  Is their wisdom to be gained here?  What can I learn from this?"  In addition, he tells us to remember the importance of kindness and compassion to ourselves and others.  

If you feel inspired by these teachings, and wish to practice generosity, please consider supporting MOI and its teachers by visiting, https://mindfulnessoutreachinitiative.org/generosity/ 

In this week's dharma talk, Anne Savery discusses the importance of pausing, reflection, and contemplation as it relates to the Winter season.  The cold months are a time for becoming still, slowing down, and connecting to gratefulness.  "How do we slow down?" Anne asks.  By scheduling in breaks, resisting the culture of business, being okay with the discomfort of slowing down, and reorganizing one's environment.  

If you feel inspired by these teachings, and wish to practice generosity, please consider supporting MOI and its teachers by visiting, https://mindfulnessoutreachinitiative.org/generosity/ 

Johnathan gives the first Dharma talk of the year, in which he discusses the power of cultivating generosity in our practice.  This practice, he emphasizes, is not about what we can get or what we can gain, but about how can we let go.  It's about shifting our mindset from that of not enough to that of abundance, gratefulness, and contentment.  

If you feel inspired by these teachings, and wish to practice generosity, please consider supporting MOI and its teachers by visiting, https://mindfulnessoutreachinitiative.org/generosity/

Rev. Kyle Sorys gives the last dharma talk of 2021, in which he emphasizes the importance of commitment.  Committing oneself to daily meditation practice and a continuity of mindfulness with everything in life is very challenging, but with skillful effort and intentions, the practice becomes as natural as eating and brushing one's teeth.

If you feel inspired by these teachings, and wish to practice generosity, please consider supporting MOI and its teachers by visiting, https://mindfulnessoutreachinitiative.org/generosity/