Another challenging week in our world with loss, violence and moments of joy. How do these teachings help us to hold all the emotions yet also move forward with what Roshi Joan Halifax calls 'wise hope' which enables us to transform suffering?
Recorded August 29, 2020 in the virtual world.

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The term 'skillful means' (upaya) is used a lot in Buddhist circles, but what does it mean and how do we utilize the teachings to move through out lives? Mary discusses upaya as a way to move away from suffering or dukkha in this moment and how we find these skillful means in our own lives.
Recorded August 22, 2020 in the virtual world

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It's nice to think that we follow the precepts because we want to be in harmony with the world, but often times it takes remorse and fear of repercussions to dig us out of our old conditioning. The Buddha's teaching on Hiri and Otappa offers us a way to utilize these feelings and emotions to move towards a more easygoing and embodied relationship with the precepts.
Recorded August 15, 2020 in the virtual world.

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The Buddha said, "Impermanent are conditioned things," but that has not stopped humans from thinking things are solid and permanent. Using the book The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor as a jumping off point, Mary discusses the great suffering we have all experienced ourselves and caused others by holding on to concepts about size, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability and mental health. We've been deluded into thinking there is a default that is best and we other people based on these ideas. Breaking out of the conditioning is the path to liberation. "Their subsiding is bliss."
Recorded August 8, 2020 in the virtual world.

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 The Buddha often ended a teaching with the sentence, "This is how you should train yourself," and training the mind is a common phrase. How does one actually do that and what does it look like on and off the cushion? Mary discusses training the mind to let go of its conditioning and its importance in the journey towards liberation.
Recorded Aug 1, 2020 in the virtual world

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In Buddhist teachings impermanence is one of the three characteristics of existence. We're often aware of this especially when things end that we're attached to. However, change sometimes does not come soon enough and we suffer because of that. Mary discusses how to see the process of impermanence at the micro and macro levels and let go of attachment or aversion to change.
Recorded July 25, 2020 in the virtual world.

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This talk was part of the Wise Action Series offered by the San Francisco Dharma Collective.

In the Eightfold Path Wise Action and Sila are the Buddha’s prescription for moving through the world without causing harm and for ending suffering where we find it. This practice of integrity is as important today as it was 2,600 years ago and can serve as a solid foundation as we face a world where greed, hatred and delusion are running rampant.  Mary speaks about her experience standing firm in the Dharma while addressing social and economic injustice.

The Wise Action series asked the questions: How do we, as practitioners, meet this unprecedented moment in time? What does the dharma tell us? What is the balance between our inner work and outer work? Between speech and action? Between individual and communal response?

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The practice of insight allows us to become more intimate with ourselves and our emotions. However it's difficult to cultivate this intimacy if we don't also cultivate kindness and gentleness. Mary talks about what that might look like and how to do it. It's important at any time, but so much more important during these challenging times.
Recorded June 16, 2020 in the virtual world.

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Oftentimes the Buddha's teaching is misunderstood as 'Life is Suffering' which is very far from the truth. Wanting things to be pleasant all the time can lead to dissatisfaction, but we have to realize that there are pleasant experiences in life. It's when we cling to these we suffer. This talk investigates to Buddha's admonition to recognize there is gratification in sensual pleasure, and also realize the danger in getting attached and how to escape. 
Recorded July 11, 2020 in the virtual world. 

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Using the book, The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns by Matty Weingast, Mary talks about how relevant their words are for our practice today. There is also conversation about the state of full Bhikkhuni ordination today.
Recorded June 27, 2020 in the virtual world

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Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.