Shell Fischer's Podcast

As we deepen our meditation practice, it is crucial for us to learn how to develop the powerful quality of Passaddhi, also translated as "calm," "tranquility," "serenity," or "composure." This soothing, cooling quality of mind and heart can help to keep us peaceful and at ease, especially during times of difficulty. In this talk, Shell explores this essential step along our path, and how we can better develop it.

In this 25-minute guided meditation, we're invited to look beneath our more shallow intentions to discover our deepest intention, so that we can learn to cultivate, nurture, and embody it, and carry its light out into our lives and our world.

The good news of our practice is that, as it deepens, we are bound to experience what in the Pali language is called piti - otherwise known as joy, happiness, delight, and even rapture. It's an important aspect of our journey, and we absolutely want to cultivate and nurture this sense of pleasure, and joy.

Yet, it is also vital that we learn how to skillfully work with it as it arises, so as to not become attached to it - which can take us in the wrong direction. In this talk, Shell explores this 4th Factor of Awakening, and how we can both access it, and know when to wisely let it go.

The root meaning of the Pali word viriya, or energy, is "hero" … and in the Buddhist tradition, when we start walking on the path of meditation, we are considered warriors. This is because what we're doing as we practice is acting as 'warriors' against the great forces of greed, hatred, and fear in ourselves. We're also courageously facing and confronting our natural tendencies … which are to run away from ourselves and our problems, or to fight them, or to completely ignore them, drown them out, or pretend they aren't there. In this talk, Shell explores this 3rd Factor of Awakening - viriya - and how it can inspire us to become more bravely dedicated to our path towards freedom.

The great teacher Joseph Goldstein tells us that the awakening factor of investigation (vicaya) is a refined quality of mind that "discerns and illuminates the truth by means of discriminating wisdom." In our practice, this is the crucial factor that can cut through our delusion, and liberate the mind. In this 2nd talk of a 7-talk series, Shell explores how we can develop, nurture, and harness this important quality of wise discernment to discover more clarity – and therefore more joy and ease – in our lives.

As you might imagine, we cannot develop a good mindfulness practice without first learning how to be mindful. But, what does mindfulness (or sati, in Pali) really mean? And, how do we do this? In this new talk, Shell explores this foundational factor of our spiritual development, and offers suggestions about how we can both utilize and strengthen it in order to discover more joy and freedom in our lives.

In the teachings, it is said that there are seven profound qualities of mind that not only lead us to awakening, but also perfectly describe the awakened mind. In fact, all our approaches to practice are to be considered in the light of the development of these profound qualities, or factors. In this talk, Shell offers a summary of how we can use our meditation practice to develop these, in anticipation of a series of talks on each one.

One of the most profound gifts we can offer both ourselves and others is our kind, compassionate presence. In truth, the most important aspect of all our interactions lies in our ability to listen, along with a deep intention to truly understand – a skill that takes conscious practice. In this talk, Shell explores how we can tap into our practice to create true connection – or communion - with both ourselves, and others, through the art of listening.

There are many definitions of the word "dharma," which includes natural phenomena, as well as the Buddha's teachings. In our own practice, rather than relying on an outside authority to offer us the answers, we are being asked to contemplate the dharma (or truth) within ourselves, with guidance from the teachings. This inner seeking is often called "come and see" and is the basis of our practice – being willing to look inside, and see for ourselves whether or not the dharma is true. In this talk, Shell explores how we can do this through the 4th Foundation of Mindfulness - Mindful of Dharmas.

Ever wonder what it means to Take Refuge in the 3 Jewels? In celebration of the meditation group's 9th anniversary, Shell offered a traditional Refuge Ceremony for sangha members, including a brief summary of what it means to take refuge (find sanctuary) in what are called the 3 Jewels of Practice: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. You can listen (and participate) here.