Trust is a big part of my teaching. I try to get out of the way, to trust that the Dharma knows how to speak through me, so I can say what is true and speak to the essence, clearly and simply.
I try to use the formal teachings as a doorway for people to see the truth in themselves. I feel I'm doing my job when people look into themselves to come to their own deep understandings of the truth, access their own inner wisdom and trust in their "Buddha-knowing," as Ajahn Chah called it, which is different from their intellectual knowing.
The Buddha-knowing is a deeper place, underneath the concepts, which is in touch with the truth, with our seed of awakening. I want practitioners to have more and more confidence in, and familiarity with, that deeper place of knowing. It is accessing this dimension of our being that becomes the guide to cutting through the confusion caused by greed and fear. We have everything we need inside ourselves. We do not need to look to a teacher when we remember who we really are.
I just received teachings with the Dalai Lama last week on the topic,
I'm going to start a series on Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way
of Life. This is one of the Dalai Lama's central teachings. As he says, "If
I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva
path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it."
2008-07-31 Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (added 2008-08-05)
Why would you do a silent meditation retreat? This talk explores the value
and experience of silent retreat practice. Along with James, Kate Janke, who returned from sitting a month at the Forest Refuge in Barre, Massachusetts, a few days before this was recorded, shares her thoughts and personal experience of retreat practice.
2008-07-03 Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (added 2008-08-01)
With our thoughts we make the world,"says the Buddha. What limiting beliefs do you have about yourself and practice? What would it be like if you were not constrained by them. This talk also explores the different temperaments that people bring to practice, seeing there is no one right personality style that is required for awakening.
2008-06-23 Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge (added 2008-06-27)
The source of our awakening is right inside us. As we learn to listen deeply to the wisdom and purity of heart that is connected to the truth we are following the Buddha's instructions to be "be a lamp unto yourself."
2008-06-16 Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge (added 2008-07-04)
Practice is more than a mere dry analysis of reality. A heartfelt spirit in practice not only give us enthusiasm and confidence but can flowers as deep devotion to the Dharma.
2008-06-09 Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge (added 2008-07-04)
This is number ten in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
2008-05-22 Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (added 2008-06-20)
This is number six in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective. James's dog "Pal" died this week.
2008-05-15 Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (added 2008-05-31)
Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness: Pt 8, How Compassion Awakens Joy (includes reflections on the cyclone in Burma) (49:10)
This is number eight in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
2008-05-07 Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (added 2008-05-13)
Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness: Pt 7, Lovingkindness Toward Ourselves(58:16)
This is number seven in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
2008-05-01 Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (added 2008-05-13)
