There is so much bearing down on this these days, from the violence and tragedy so rampant in the world today to the concerns in our own lives. We can experience grief, sadness and other difficult emotions yet it is important not to let them overwhelm us. Gratitude is an important practice to keep balance in our world. With gratitude we don't lose connection with what is good and kind and also remain open to the present moment.
Recorded Nov. 26, 2022 in the virtual world

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The 7th Factor of the Eightfold Path is Wise Mindfulness and it is a foundational piece of the practice and the "direct path to realization". In this talk Mary breaks down what mindfulness is and takes us through the four foundations leading to liberation and freedom from suffering and discontent.
Recorded on Nov. 20, 2022 at Rancho Mirage, CA with Insight Community of the Desert

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: The invitation to start where we are reminds us that our practice starts right here right now. What gets in our way today? Where are we stuck right now? That is where the work is - in the present moment because what else is there anyway?
Recorded Jan. 31, 2015 in Los Angeles

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In the Eightfold Path, Wise Action invites us not to kill or steal or cause harm with our sexuality, however it's much more than just abstaining from doing things. It's also about cultivating a compassionate way of being which remembers that we are working for the benefit of all beings, not just ourselves. In this talk, offered at the Insight Community of the Desert, Mary discusses this teaching and what it means in today's world.
Recorded Oct 30, 2022 in the virtual world

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The Buddha talked about greed, hatred and ignorance as the three poisons which we can often recognize in our own lives. In this talk, Mary discusses how pervasive they are in the world at large and what we can do to work against them and uproot them where we see them. 
Recorded Oct. 20, 2022 in the virtual world

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Many of us are familiar with the teaching of the five hindrances, but how do they manifest in our lives and keep us from liberation. Mary discusses the nuanced ways that craving, aversion, restlessness, dullness and doubt can show up, how to recognize them, and how to let them go as we move towards awakening.
Recorded Oct. 15, 2022 in the virtual world

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The Eightfold Path is the path away from being stuck in our conditioning which is often not very helpful and can even be harmful. It is a path towards liberation and awakening and Wise View is the first factor of the path and points the way. It invites us to recognize where we get stuck and to begin to move in a different direction - one of wisdom rather than ignorance. Mary discusses Wise View and how we can begin to see more clearly as we live our lives.
Recorded Oct 8, 2022 in the virtual world

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It's vital to be reminded of the importance of kindness as a practice and as an intention. It's easy to be abrupt, to get on with things, be driven by so many deadlines that connecting with kindness falls to the background. In this talk Mary discusses how our mindfulness practice allows us to connect with kindness for ourselves and for others, and how it is an antidote to the greed and ill-will so prevalent in the world today. The Buddha reminded us to be kind and it's something we should practice every day.
Recorded Oct. 1, 2022 in the virtual world

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Karma is often thought to be what happens to us if we do something bad. Instead karma in the Buddhist sense means action. In each moment we have the opportunity to move in a direction which takes us away from suffering and shift karma. In this talk Mary discusses the choice we have to break out of conditioning and move mindfully, and with intention, towards liberation.
Recorded Sept. 24, 2022 in the virtual world

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The Pali word dukkha is usually translated as suffering, but it can mean so many other things, including not being okay with the way things are. In this talk, Mary discusses the various understandings of the word and invites us to see how dukkha shows up in our life. We have to recognize it and be with it in order to let it go. 

Recorded Sept. 17, 2022 in the virtual world

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