Dharma Seed - Dharma Talks given at Insight Meditation South Bay

2016-06-16 Mindfulness of the Body 68:30
Shaila Catherine	Download Listen
Shaila Catherine gave the second talk in a four-week series titled "Cultivating Mindfulness." Shaila explored a number of ways to practice mindfulness of the body according to the Buddhist teachings. These methods include (1) using the body as a way of grounding our attention in the present moment, (2) working with mindfulness of the breath as an aspect of the body, (3) working with sensory experiences, (4) reflecting upon death, (5) seeing the body in terms of the four elements (earth, fire, wind and water) and (6) observing the body as anatomical parts. Methods 5 and 6 allow us to view the body as material constructions. From this perspective we no longer conceive our body as "I" or "mine;" thereby, attachment and ignorance dissolve.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Cultivating Mindfulness

2016-06-09 Cultivating Mindfulness 3:48:42

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with Renee Burgard, Shaila Catherine, Sharon Allen

This series is an introduction to the meditative development of mindfulness through which we refine our ability to focus and bring clear attention to all aspects of experience. We will cultivate mindfulness of breath, sensations, emotions, thoughts and actions. This series includes exercises that enhance mindfulness, support the establishment of a daily meditation practice, and highlight balanced awareness in work and home life.

Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley

2016-06-09 Mindfulness with Breathing 1:13:48
Shaila Catherine	Download Listen
Shaila Catherine gave the first talk in a four-week series titled "Cultivating Mindfulness." This talk focused on using the breath as the meditation object. When we observe our breath, our mind is free from unwholesome states, such as anger, greed, or doubt, because we are simply connecting with the very ordinary experience of breathing. We are not being pushed or pulled by desire or aversion. In fact, when we connect with the breath, we experience ease and happiness.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Cultivating Mindfulness

2016-05-26 Equanimity, Our Greatest Friend 39:23
Shaila Catherine	Download Listen
Shaila Catherine gave the seventh talk in a eight-week series titled "Seven Factors of Awakening." This talk explores how the stability and the balance provided by equanimity can make our mind our friend, something that we can trust. When equanimity is strong, if there is pain we won't tend to react with aversion; if there is pleasure, we won't tend to react with grasping and clinging. The mind will be balanced, present, and aware of experience as it unfolds.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Seven Factors of Awakening

2016-05-24 Buddha's Practical Advice for Maintaining Material Gains and Wealth 27:23
Shaila Catherine	Download Listen
Shaila Catherine gave the seventh talk in a seven-week series on lesser known Buddhist teachings titled "Thus Have I Heard." This talk revolves around a teaching in the Anuttara Nikaya (AN 4:255) that expresses the Buddha's very practical advice for protecting one's material goods and wealth. He recommends that people 1) look for things that are lost, 2) repair things that are broken, 3) be moderate in consuming food and drink, and 4) place a virtuous person in the position of authority.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Thus Have I Heard

2016-05-19 Concentration 1:14:50
Margaret Gainer	Download Listen
Margaret Gainer gave the sixth talk in a eight-week series titled "Seven Factors of Awakening." She compares and contrasts meditation techniques that lead to insight and concentration, and focuses on applying concentration to develop one-pointedness.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Seven Factors of Awakening

2016-05-17 Discerning a Trustworthy Teacher 45:13
Nona Olivia	Download Listen
Nona Olivia gave the sixth talk in a seven-week series on lesser known Buddhist teachings titled "Thus Have I Heard." This talk explores how to choose a trustworthy teacher.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Thus Have I Heard

2016-05-10 Becoming Freedom 48:31
Andrea Fella	Download Listen
Andrea Fella gave the fifth talk in a seven-week series on lesser known Buddhist teachings titled "Thus Have I Heard." This talk discusses early teachings by the Buddha contained in the Sutta Nipata, wherein the Buddha addressed suffering and its causes, such as clinging to sense pleasures and views.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Thus Have I Heard

2016-05-05 Joy 57:09
Fa Jun	Download Listen
Fa Jun gave the fourth talk in a eight-week series titled "Seven Factors of Awakening". This very informative talk explores the four stages of meditation and the two main hindrances to meditation, torpidity and excitation, and how we can overcome these hindrances by learning to cultivate joy.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Seven Factors of Awakening

2016-05-03 Scared-in-the-Woods to Liberated 46:03
Kim Allen	Download Listen
Kim Allen gave the fourth talk in a seven-week series on lesser known Buddhist teachings titled "Thus Have I Heard." This talk explores how practice can be difficult, especially when it helps us become aware of the dark corners of our minds such as fear and dread. Fortunately, the Buddha taught us to train our minds so we won't give in to those tendencies, and instead live a skillful life with wholesome qualities such as generosity, virtue, and loving kindness.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Thus Have I Heard