Sunday Dharma Talk

The third jhana quality is "pleasure." In cultivating skillful pleasure we are learning to establish and maintain a pleasant abiding.  When there is a pleasant abiding we remain in the present moment.  We are in the most favorable state. We are able to function most effectively, meet the difficulties in life.  We are able to stay close to the heart.

The second jhana quality is 'ease." This quality of ease is sometimes known as rapture, piti in Pali.  We might think of it as physical ease.  When ease is developed we're in a position to remain present, to function effectively, to thrive.  The cultivation of ease is an effort made in the service of the heart.  May all beings have ease of being.

The first jhana quality is 'singleness of mind." Singleness of mind is focus.  When developed in this quality we're able to put our mind where we choose to put it.  And keep it there.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop this factor of jhana ... and why it's important to do so.  This is the second talk in a series of dharma talks on "The Jhana Qualities" offered in November 2025.

"Over there are the roots of trees; over there, empty dwellings. Practice jhana, monks. Don't be heedless. Don't later fall into regret. This is our message to you." (MN 19)

The development of concentration, the Buddha teaches, is the heart of the path.  The Buddha's concentration, the concentration he learned to develop and then taught is known as jhana.  We develop jhana, as the Buddha did, by the practice of mindfulness of breathing.  In doing so, it is in our best interests to focus our efforts on developing the 'qualities of jhana.'  This is the first in a series of talks given by Peter Doobinin in November 2025 on "The Jhana Qualities."

"Over there are the roots of trees; over there, empty dwellings. Practice jhana, monks. Don't be heedless. Don't later fall into regret. This is our message to you." (MN 19)

How do we free ourselves from habitual patterns of mind?  How do we change the mind?  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the practice of awareness enables us to free ourselves from our habitual patterns ... and how we're able, in consequence, to develop skillful attitude, attitude informed by the heart.  The talk was given in May 2024.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the skills of generosity and equanimity support us as we move forward in life, as we go through periods of transition, as we meet change and difficulty.  The talk was given in April 2024.

Compassion is a quality of heart & mind that informs skillful action.  As such, compassion is a form of action.  A verb.  We develop this action by following certain steps.  It is a skill.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains the skill for taking action informed by compassion.  The dharma talk was given in March 2025.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

In meditation we develop tranquility.  Silence.  Our task, we might say, is to cultivate silence and then to listen.  This sort of listening asks for great patience.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop patience ... the patience that is asked for, in finding our way to a greater happiness in life.  The talk was given in February 2025.

NY Dharma:  www.nydharma.org 

The practice of letting go is just that, a practice.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the 'course of treatment' the Buddha prescribes through which we let go and gradually are freed from suffering.  The talk was given in the winter of 2025.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

As dharma students, we don't lose sight of the truth.  We remember the brightness in life.  We remember the joy in life.  We remember our capacity for happiness.  And through it all, we resolve to live live joyfully.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we learn to make the resolve to live joyfully.  The dharma talk was given in March 2026.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org