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Dharma Talks
given at Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
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2019-07-16
Taking the Problem out of Pain
47:45
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Shaila Catherine
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| In this talk, Shaila Catherine encourages practitioners to view illness and pain as opportunities to practice equanimity, patience, and mindfulness of the body. When we are sick or in pain, we can still practice being attentive to present conditions, and reflect that all beings are all also subject to illness and death. Illness is not wrong; it is inevitable. The more we resist this fact, the more mental suffering we add to our physical difficulties. When we learn to be present with both pleasant and unpleasant feelings, we will know an experience of profound peace. |
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| In collection
Meditation in Hard Times
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2019-07-16
Realizing Resilience
48:24
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Diana Clark
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| Diana talks about how to develop resilience in the face of difficulties. By practicing noticing one’s thoughts and emotions, starting with the easier and gradually moving toward the more difficult can be a compassionate and skillful way to develop strength. She talks about how this resilience creates the conditions that can allow one to help others as well as oneself. |
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| In collection
Meditation in Hard Times
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2019-06-19
Intention and the Power of Thought
46:18
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Shaila Catherine
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| How are we using our minds? Where do our thought incline? The Buddha's teachings focus on the practical application of intention and the power of thought, rather than ritual, as the potent force behind action. Working with thought, we see how habits and tendencies develop and form patterns known as kamma (karma). We must be honest with ourselves and see any conceit, agitation, anger, greed, or restlessness that might be lurking as tendencies of mind. We can learn to use our thought skillfully, and guard the mind with diligent mindfulness. Wholesome and unwholesome thoughts are explored. There is nothing to fear from wholesome thoughts such as intentions toward renunciation, letting go, loving kindness, compassion, and generosity, and yet a concentrated mind will bring deeper rest. The path of liberation and awakening includes the development of morality and virtue, and also calmness, concentration, and wisdom. |
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2019-05-07
Equanimity
52:39
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Stephen Fulder
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| Equanimity is a key spiritual faculty which allows us to face the known and the unknown, the ecstasies and the despairs, with steadiness and lightness. Equanimity helps us engage with life from an unlimited and interconnected perspective. In this talk Stephen Fulder stresses the role of equanimity in our practice and life, how to develop it and use it to let the world in, not keep it out. |
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2019-03-12
Inner Ecology
54:46
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Kim Allen
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| In this talk Kim Allen develops an ecological metaphor to help us cultivate our mind and develop our practice. She outlines four approaches to our practice grounded in terms of natural ecologies:
1) Broadening our focus
2) Revising our notions of good and bad
3) Developing a coherent sense of our goal by creating a healthy ecosystem and then letting go
4) Expanding from our inner ecology and balancing with the outer ecology. |
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2019-02-26
Non-Clinging to Outcomes
44:51
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Jennifer Dungan
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| In this fourth and last talk in a speaker series on The Engaged Buddhist, Jennifer Dungan ties together the lessons from previous speakers. She mentions precepts of socially engaged Buddhism put forward by Thich Nhat Hanh, and how various dhamma elements such as compassion, right view, right intention, and right mindfulness can work to reduce the suffering caused by clinging to even the most pro-social and aspirational outcomes. |
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| In collection
Engaged Buddhism
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2019-02-19
Generosity and Compassion Inside: Teaching Buddhist Meditation in a California State Prison
51:21
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Bill Kostura and Phil Goodwin
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| Bill Kostura and Phil Goodwin present the third talk in a speaker series on The Engaged Buddhist. They describe their experience teaching dharma at a California men's prison over a period of several years. Their stories evoke the feelings of traveling the long distance to the prison, the difficulties of entering a secured facility, both tender and challenging interactions with inmates, and the refuge created by the practice for the inmates and even themselves. |
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| In collection
Engaged Buddhism
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2019-02-10
Communication as Daily Practice
50:24
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Oren Jay Sofer
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| Oren Jay Sofer presents the second talk in a speaker series on The Engaged Buddhist. Here he speaks on our practice off the cushion, pointing out that we spend the vast majority of our days communicating in one way or another. He describes three practices to improve our relationships with others: leading with presence, cultivating the intention to understand the other, and training our focus. |
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| In collection
Engaged Buddhism
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2019-02-05
Engaged Brahmaviharas
48:55
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Ayya Santussika
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| Ayya Santussika presents the first talk in a speaker series on The Engaged Buddhist. Here she speaks on the role that each of the four Brahmaviharas play to help and guide us in our engaged actions, whatever they be, to promote wholesome and beneficial outcomes. She discusses lovingkindness, joy in the good fortune of others, compassion and equanimity as well as the near and far enemies of these qualities. |
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| In collection
Engaged Buddhism
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