We may think that happiness is found when we're able to come into pleasant emotional states.  But the teachings of the Buddha suggest a happiness greater than the happiness that emotional states offer:  the happiness of the heart.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the dharma student learns to cultivate disenchantment with emotions and, in turn, turns to the the heart.  The talk was given in December 2021.

As a mother would risk her lifeto protect her child, her only child,even so should one cultivate a limitless heartwith regard to all beings.(Sn 1.8)

Developing self compassion if often a challenge.  It requires developing in skill in dharma practice.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the cultivation of the paramis - including the parami of patience - supports us in our ability to develop compassion for ourselves.  The talk was given in March 2022.

What does is mean to be present?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the skills we develop in our effort to know the present moment.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday class in 2016.

In meditation practice, we learn to develop in stillness.  And in our practice and in our lives, we learn to incline to this quality of stillness.  We learn to know stillness.  In this dharma talk, Peter discusses how we can maintain stillness not only in meditation, but in the midst of our days and nights.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday night class in April 2017.

What is our sense of purpose?  What is our guiding principle?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we learn to align ourselves with our purpose.  And how, in turn, we set ourselves on the path to a greater happiness in this life.  The talk was given in March 2022.

What does it mean to be present?  How do we make our way to the present moment?  What is preventing us from finding the present moment?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses these questions.  The talk was given at a Downtown Meditation Community retreat in April 2018.

Equanimity is one of the key qualities that we seek to develop in making our way along the Buddha's path.  Equanimity puts us in position to know true happiness; the happiness that comes when we take action informed by the heart.  As human beings we all have potential for equanimity and, in turn, true happiness.  But this potential must be developed.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop and incline to the pivotal quality of equanimity.  The talk was given in March 2022.

The Buddha's path is a noble path.  Which is to say, it leads to the end of suffering and true happiness.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the "customs of the noble ones," qualities that we seek to develop in our effort to live a life in which we know a greater happiness.  The talk was given at a Downtown Meditation Community retreat in 2017.

We develop the practice of mindfulness of breathing so that we can take action.  Action in support of the heart.  Action that leads to true happiness, for us, for all beings.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the practice of breath meditation finds its fruits in the actions we take in this life.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday night class in July 2017.

It's important, as dharma students, as awake human beings, to make time for reflection.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the process for developing the art of reflection.  The talk was given at Downtown Meditation Community in 2018,