Dharma Seed - Dharma Talks given at Insight Meditation South Bay

2018-08-14 Finding Freedom from Pain 42:24
Aishin Leonard	Download Listen
Aishin Leonard talks about coping with pain. She shares her experiences about losing herself due to the inability to do things as a result of debilitating pain. After attempting to practice meditation in an effort to overcome pain, she learns, through heart practice, to harmonize the experience of pain with other factors and conditions.

2018-06-05 The Buddha’s Dream of Liberation: Freedom, Emptiness, and Awakened Nature 47:00
James Coleman	Download Listen
James William Coleman’s new book, "The Buddha’s Dream of Liberation: Freedom, Emptiness, and Awakened Nature," guides us through the profound wisdom of the classic sutras that lay the foundations for all of the different Buddhist traditions. In clear simple language, it explores the three great “Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma.”

2018-05-22 Milestones on the Path to Freedom: Assessing Progress in Practice Wisely 42:14
Dawn Neal	Download Listen
Dawn Neal gave the last talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Dawn offered a perspective on how to relate to assessments of practice in day-to-day practice, as well as over the arc of a practioner's journey. Beautiful experiences in practice, including great sits, concentration states, and even insight, can be celebrated, and assessed in ways that can nourish confidence in the Dharma and increase spiritual maturity. The same milestones can also become impediments -- dead-weight on the spiritual journey -- if clung to or identified with in an unhelpful way.

In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-15 Not Make Things Worse 34:21
Tony Bernhard	Download Listen
Tony Bernhard gave the fourth talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Tony explained that the Buddha's insights is captured in the Four Noble Truth. The First Noble Truth points out suffering or dissatisfaction we experience in life. Unfortunately, we make things worse by complaining when we experience things as unpleasant, or wanting more of things that are pleasant. This is the Second Noble Truth, which explains the origin of suffering, namely our clinging and aversion. The Third Noble Truth tells us that we don't have to make things worse for ourselves. And the Fourth Noble Truth tells us how not to make things worse by follwoing the Noble Eightfold Path.

In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-08 Cooling the Fire 43:32
Andrea Fella	Download Listen
Andrea Fella gave the third talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Andrea pointed out that the Pali word that the Buddha used to describe his awakening is "nibbana." This word literally means "cooling." In other words, awakening is not about gaining something; rather it's about cooling the fire of greed, hatred, and delusion in our minds. indeed, we can experience nibbana in this life time, when we let go of greed, hatred, and delusion.

In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-01 Nurturing the Process 35:23
Kim Allen	Download Listen
Kim Allen gave the second talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Kim advised that instead of spending time wishing for attending some future goals, we can just do the practice. When we develop and nurture the process of the liberating path, it will naturally lead us to the goal of the path.

In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-04-24 Commitment to Enlightenment 30:23
Shaila Catherine	Download Listen
In this talk, Shaila Catherine explores the purpose of meditation practice. By knowing the goal of the Buddhist path, we can avoid becoming satisfied with deceptive attainments such as mere joy, calmness, and concentration. These pleasant states are not the aim of the liberating path. If we become attached to these temporary states and initial attainments, they become impediments on the path and can prevent the realization of the ultimate goal of awakening.

In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-04-24 Goals in Meditation 3:05:54

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We invited several local teachers to share both the personal aims that guide their practice and their understanding of the goals of the Buddhist Path. We asked them the following questions: What is the goal of Buddhist practice? What do you personally hope to achieve through your practice? What is a reasonable way to assess our progress – how can we tell if we are on track? How can we work skillfully with goals in the context of mindfulness-based practices that emphasize present moment awareness? This series will explore both the ultimate and relative goals of Buddhist practice. It will address the benefits and limitations of having goals, and explore some related practice issues: comparing, expectations, craving for attainments, inspiration, and the potential for discouragement. Join us for an illuminating look into some aspects of your practice you may never have considered!

2018-04-24 Commitment to Enlightenment 30:23
Shaila Catherine	Download Listen
In this talk, Shaila Catherine explores the purpose of meditation practice. By knowing the goal of the Buddhist path, we can avoid becoming satisfied with deceptive attainments such as mere joy, calmness, and concentration. These pleasant states are not the aim of the liberating path. If we become attached to these temporary states and initial attainments, they become impediments on the path and can prevent the realization of the ultimate goal of awakening.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-01 Nurturing the Process 35:23
Kim Allen	Download Listen
Kim Allen gave the second talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Kim advised that instead of spending time wishing for attending some future goals, we can just do the practice. When we develop and nurture the process of the liberating path, it will naturally lead us to the goal of the path.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-08 Cooling the Fire 43:32
Andrea Fella	Download Listen
Andrea Fella gave the third talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Andrea pointed out that the Pali word that the Buddha used to describe his awakening is "nibbana." This word literally means "cooling." In other words, awakening is not about gaining something; rather it's about cooling the fire of greed, hatred, and delusion in our minds. indeed, we can experience nibbana in this life time, when we let go of greed, hatred, and delusion.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-15 Not Make Things Worse 34:21
Tony Bernhard	Download Listen
Tony Bernhard gave the fourth talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Tony explained that the Buddha's insights is captured in the Four Noble Truth. The First Noble Truth points out suffering or dissatisfaction we experience in life. Unfortunately, we make things worse by complaining when we experience things as unpleasant, or wanting more of things that are pleasant. This is the Second Noble Truth, which explains the origin of suffering, namely our clinging and aversion. The Third Noble Truth tells us that we don't have to make things worse for ourselves. And the Fourth Noble Truth tells us how not to make things worse by follwoing the Noble Eightfold Path.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-05-22 Milestones on the Path to Freedom: Assessing Progress in Practice Wisely 42:14
Dawn Neal	Download Listen
Dawn Neal gave the last talk in a speaker series titled "Goals in Meditation." Dawn offered a perspective on how to relate to assessments of practice in day-to-day practice, as well as over the arc of a practioner's journey. Beautiful experiences in practice, including great sits, concentration states, and even insight, can be celebrated, and assessed in ways that can nourish confidence in the Dharma and increase spiritual maturity. The same milestones can also become impediments -- dead-weight on the spiritual journey -- if clung to or identified with in an unhelpful way.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection Goals in Meditation

2018-04-10 A Life Affirming Path 46:30
Janetti Marotta	Download Listen
In this talk, Janetti Marotta presented the publication of her new book, "A Fertile Path: Guiding the Journey with Mindfulness and Compassion." Janetti described how mindfulness teaches us to be in harmony with whatever life presents. With the wisdom of awareness and the warmth of compassion, obstacles become challenges and crises become opportunities.

2018-04-03 A Loving Kindness Tune-Up — Inspiration, Intention, Expression 28:39
Sharon Allen	Download Listen
Sharon Allen discusses loving kindness as an antidote for any mind state that is trapped in ill-will or hatred. She tells us that it is important to remember the importance of loving kindness by noticing the small things done in kindness to others, as well as noticing the the effects metta has on our own heart.