Spirit Rock Meditation Center: dharma talks and meditation instruction

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In an important sense, daily life practice is central and vital; it is where we live! Yet at times in the non-monastic Insight Meditation approach as it's developed in the West, such practice has been somewhat marginalized, with retreat practice and formal meditation practice at the center. We explore first the challenging context of daily life practice for many Western practitioners, including not just such a lack of sustained emphasis on daily life practice, but also the challenges of living in what is often a very busy, "mental" culture and society. We then look at a number of ways to bring more awareness into daily life, inviting the listener to see what one or two ways of practicing might be emphasized in the next period of time. We give a more in-depth focus on one very central way of bringing more awareness into daily life--developing mindfulness of the body. We offer a number of different practices that support such mindfulness of the body.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) A year after the massive demonstrations in the US following the killing of George Floyd, we reflect on different aspects of the integration of Buddhist practice and transforming racism, identifying nine key themes.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Q and A from 06-14-2021 Monday Night

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Here we are in the change of seasons—the great turning. The sun is something for us to pay attention to, something we often take for granted. Notice the way the gift of sunlight streams behind everything—it feeds the plants we eat. We can be grateful for sunlight and trees, for people we love, for moments of goodness, and for the breath within our breast. And as our gratitude grows, we may discover a happiness without cause.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) May you be at ease.

May you be well.

May you be healed.

May you be happy.

As you offer this lovingkindness to yourself, image you can fill yourself with the light of your loving awareness.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Q and A from Monday Night Dharma Talk, Summer Solstice 06-14-2021

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Here we are in the change of seasons—the great turning. The sun is something for us to pay attention to, something we often take for granted. Notice the way the gift of sunlight streams behind everything—it feeds the plants we eat. We can be grateful for sunlight and trees, for people we love, for moments of goodness, and for the breath within our breast. And as our gratitude grows, we may discover a happiness without cause.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This talk offers a description of the practice of receiving kindness as well as giving a brief introduction to the Brahma Viharas. It ends with a guided meditation on receiving kindness.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)