The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Oren Jay Sofer's Dharma Talks at Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
Oren Jay Sofer
Developing a clear understanding of the teachings and learning to fully inhabit the body have been core parts of my Dhamma practice. These areas, as well a strong emphasis on the heart, inform and shape my teaching. The few years I spent training as an Anagarika in the Thai Forest monasteries broadened my understanding of the Buddha's teachings and instilled a profound respect for the Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha. All along the way, I've been particularly interested in how other modalities like Nonviolent Communication and Somatics can support our growth in awakening.
2019-02-10 Communication as Daily Practice 50:24
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.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Engaged Buddhism
2019-02-05 Engaged Buddhism 3:44:38
with Ayya Santussika, Bill Kostura and Phil Goodwin, Jennifer Dungan, Oren Jay Sofer
Meditation instructions are sometimes misinterpreted to imply that one should disengage from activity and suspend all judgment. Buddhist advice on “letting go” can be misunderstood to suggest that problems in the world can or should be ignored. Yet the Pali canon shows that the Buddha taught practical social and economic remedies, and urged monks to travel so they could benefit the largest number of people. Thích Nhất Hạnh coined the term “engaged Buddhism” to describe efforts to respond to the suffering in his country during the Vietnam war, work he saw as part of meditation and mindfulness practice rather than something apart from it. In this series, some local “engaged Buddhists” will share how they personally apply Buddhist wisdom to engage with the suffering around us, in areas such as social action, prison ministry, and environmentalism.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
2018-03-13 Equanimity 44:51
The series on the Seven Awakening factors concludes with Oren J. Sofer’s talk on the quality of equanimity. Sofer tells us that this quality develops slowly among the other factors and is considered one of the highest attainments in Buddhist practice. The fore-taste of evenness and balance can be considered a glimpse into the mind of an awakened being.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Seven Factors of Awakening
2016-04-14 Seven Factors of Awakening 9:07:51
with Ayya Sobhana, Chris Clifford, Daniel Bowling, Fa Jun, Janetti Marotta, Margaret Gainer, Misha Merrill, Oren Jay Sofer, Sean Oakes, Shaila Catherine, Sharon Allen
These seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop in meditation. When cultivated and balanced, the mind is ripe for awakening. This series will explore each factor to reveal its importance, function, and role in the process of awakening.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley

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