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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
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Dharma Talks
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2025-05-07
Guided Meditation: Exploring Emotions and Thoughts Connected to Contemporary Social and Political Events 2
40:16
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Donald Rothberg
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We begin with some guidance on developing samadhi (concentration) and stability, followed by practicing developing samadhi. After about 10 minutes developing samadhi, we move to mindfulness practice. After about another 10 minutes of practice, we then inquire into some of the emotions and thoughts that have been present recently, whether difficult or joyful, related to the current state of the society and world. We first relive a recent experience and then bring mindfulness to the somatic, emotional, and mental dimensions of experience. While staying silent, we also have a sense of being in community and sharing our experience. We then work with Kristen Neff's three-step self-compassion practice (shifting to a three-step joy or mudita practice if the experiences have been more positive).
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2025-04-30
Understanding and Responding to the World on the Basis of Core Teachings and Practices 1
63:13
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Donald Rothberg
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We first explore in general the relationship of core teachings and practices to the social and political dimensions of our lives. We see that Buddhist practice in the West has commonly emphasized meditation and inner practices, often neglecting or marginalizing the ethical training that traditionally is one of the three dimensions of training, even though the Buddha did often give social commentary (e.g., on the caste system) and at times social interpretations of the ethical precepts ("Let one not destroy life nor cause others to destroy life and, also, not approve of others’ killing. . . . Let one not cause to steal, nor approve of others’ stealing.'). We explore a vision of individual and collective awakening, inspired in part by more contemporary traditions of socially engaged Buddhism initially developed by pioneers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, A.T. Ariyaratne, Dr. Ambedkar, Joanna Macy, and Robert Aitken. Then we give some attention to how to connect inner and outer practices, particularly focusing, as we did in the guided meditation, on practicing with challenging emotions and thoughts, and clarifying ways to act in the world. The talk is followed by discussion and ends with the setting of intentions.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2025-04-29
Listening for the Silence Beneath Everything
17:03
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Gregory Kramer
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This short guided meditation with Gregory Kramer invites participants into a spacious silence that supports awareness, curiosity, and presence. The meditation gently encourages letting go of habitual practices and idea to rest in simple awareness. Notice the hum of existence—the subtle energy of body and mind—and how beneath even agitation, words, or thought, there is always silence. The invitation is to listen deeply, beyond noise, toward the ever-present stillness beneath.
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Insight Dialogue Community
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2025-04-09
Guided Meditation: Developing Samadhi (Concentration) 2
40:26
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Donald Rothberg
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This guided meditation gives more detail on developing samadhi than the guided meditation from a week ago. First, after a brief overview of the nature of samadhi (usually translated as "concentration"), instructions are given for a practice session developing samadhi, including on posture, gaze, possible objects of focus, and skillful effort. Midway through the session, some further guidance is given on "intensifying," which helps both to deepen samadhi and to cut through background thinking as well as foreground thinking.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2025-04-02
Guided Meditation: Developing Samadhi (Concentration)
41:31
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Donald Rothberg
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We begin with a brief account of the nature of samadhi (usually translated as "concentration"), and then give instructions for developing samadhi in formal meditation. (We'll come back to discuss samadhi in more depth in the talk.) There are several reminders during the meditation to return to the focus on cultivating samadhi. In the last part of the meditation, we connect the greater stability that's developed in the practice of cultivating samadhi with cultivating mindfulness.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2025-03-28
Equanimity Meditation
45:04
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Kaira Jewel Lingo
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This meditation explores upekkhā, or equanimity—the deep steadiness of heart that meets life’s joys and sorrows with wisdom and care. Through reflections, guided phrases, and a progression of categories (from self, to loved one, neutral person, difficult person and finally all beings), we cultivate balance and spaciousness in the face of life’s ever-changing conditions. Rooted in the Brahmavihārā tradition, this practice invites us to rest in the truth that all beings are moving through causes and conditions beyond our control.
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Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
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Return to Wholeness: Opening to Wisdom & Love - 25DW
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