So much of my inspiration and joy comes from bearing witness to the unfolding of the dharma in myself and others. My teaching is most engaging when I'm involved in an on-going relationship with students and having the opportunity, and honor, to see what's happening in their lives. We may begin our practice on our cushions; and yet, as we learn to bring practice to all corners of our lives, we get a glimmer of the true possibility of liberation.
Simplicity has been most helpful to me, so I stick with basic instructions and try to distill my words to the bare minimum in a simple, clear and precise way.
My interest focuses on how to liberate the mind. I like to explore and find different ways that are most useful to people. I'm aware that various aspects of the practice, and the teaching, resonate with different people at different times. What is that person's experience right now and what will be most helpful to them? Often the answer comes to me by looking at what has happened to me in practice, and using that experience to help someone discover their own intuitive wisdom.
In my teaching, lovingkindness supports the developmental unfolding of wisdom. It doesn't do us much good to practice in ways that perpetuate self-judgment. When we come from a place of caring and lovingkindness, we allow for the possibility of transformation in our lives. Lovingkindness and wisdom allow us to move from a life of reaction to a life of inner resonance with the world around us. They take us out of a place of reaction and into one of responsiveness.
Forgiveness as a practice will often take us to the edge of what we can accept. Drawing upon qualities of lovingkindness, compassion and patience we can learn to open to our deepest pain.
Mudita is the capacity to rejoice in the happiness or good fortune of others. As a practice, mudita helps us to aim the heart toward its natural capacity for generosity, friendliness and care. In doing so, we find our hearts rejoicing.
Resolve or determination is what helps us to stay committed on our journey of awakening. It is a strength of heart that is gentle but firm. It helps us to proceed without wavering regardless of what our experiences might be.
Working with the breath, we can cultivate both calm and insight. This talk explores ways we can strengthen concentration as a support to insight, through working with the breath.
By learning the qualities of faith-trust, devotion, confidence and clarity of mind, we can begin to see faith unfolding in our own hearts. How faith helps to motivate and energize our practice.
Metta is a practice of turning the mind towards the good. As we aim the heart we begin to connect with friendliness, gentleness and acceptance. Qualities that help us to open to things as they are.
The desire for liberation can be a wholesome force in our lives when it is held with wisdom. Looking at ways we can support this motivation helps to call forth heroic or courageous energy.
As we invite the qualities of generosity and gratitude into our lives, they help us to gladden our hearts and minds, becoming the seeds of joy in the journey of awakening.
