Some basic strategies on using mindfulness to help with anxiety and trauma.

Continuing our exploration of the five inner strengths: an in depth look at mindfulness and a partial exploration of concentration.

Introduces the five inner strengths - of Faith, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration and Wisdom that incline the mind towards freedom.

Class

Everything can help awaken mindfulness and then sustain it; calm and liberating insight develop together.

This talk deals with the last of the areas of our obsessional thinking: views. We also examine the Brahma Viharas as distinct forms of mindfulness that lead to liberation. We look closely, in particular, at metta as the necessary soil out of which grows and blooms the beautiful flower of compassion (karuna).

This talk covers the relationship of mindfulness to the three marks of existence as well as the the three 'fires' of greed, aversion and delusion. The question is also raised as to how we want to live our lives and our commitment to that vision.

How mindfulness facilitates insight into the three characteristics of existence.

Are you aware of the intentions that are shaping your thoughts, moods and life experience? This talk explores how mindfulness of intention allows us to open to our deepest heart's aspiration, and have that guide the unfolding of our lives.

What is mindfulness - what are the essential aspects of mindfulness and what are the key points elucidated by the Buddha in how to use mindfulness as a path to awaken.

This talk also includes Helen Stephenson. Meditation and yoga are natural partners in the spiritual life. This talk introduces a retreat that draws on the Buddh's teachings of mindfulness and awakening, and the yoga teachings of Patanjali, combining the practices of Hatha Yoga and Insight Meditation. The yoga on this retreat is offered as a spiritual path rather than simply an exercise system.

On the practical approach and advantages of mindfulness....

Dharma Talk

This talk describes the ways to work with the inevitable struggles we encounter on the journey -- using kindness, mindfulness and calling on allies.

One Earth Sangha is oriented toward Buddhist and mindfulness practitioners seeking dharma, practices and community around care for the Earth. See their website here: One Earth Sangha

A guided meditation with instruction at the beginning...

Skillful practice with thoughts and emotions is explored, including (1) taking responsibility for our experience, (2) finding balance if we are reactive and out of balance, (3) using mindfulness to investigate thoughts and emotions, and (4) making connections between these approaches and our speech practice.

Underlying tendencies (toward greed, hate, and delusion) fuel habits that obstruct our freedom. Tendencies toward irritation, anger, craving, and ignorance may arise in times of stress when our mindfulness is weak, and they distort our perception of things. But tendencies arise in both luxurious and modest environments, in situations of comfort as well as pain. How we relate to experience reinforces patterns and conditioning. Greed, hate, and delusion are causes for the arising of kamma (karma). The simile of the two darts describes the difference between simply enduring bodily feelings of pain, and proliferating reactions of anger and aversion that add suffering to our pain. This talk explores the primary tendencies of sensual desire, anger, and ignorance, and shows how we can free the mind from their influence in our everyday life.

Introduction to mindfulness with a guided meditation and Q&A