Using inspiration techniques and exercises developed by Joanna Macy, along with guided mindfulness meditation, we will explore the many ways we are connected to each other and to the life of the planet.

This talk introduces the practice of opening to and meditating upon the chanting of the Satipatthana Sutta, the discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. It utilizes the chanting of Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhita Thero.

Morning Instructions: Mindfulness of Thoughts

The two aspects of mindfulness, general comprehension and bare attention. General comprehension understands our purpose, the refuge of why we are being attentive contextualizes our attention and knowing with wisdom and caring.

Anger is natural, intelligent and necessary for surviving and flourishing. Yet when we are hooked by anger, it causes great personal and collective suffering. This talk explores how to transform patterns of reactivity by bringing a mindful and compassionate attention to the unmet needs that underlie angry reactivity. When we learn how to pause and connect honestly with our inner experience, we are then able to respond to others from our full intelligence and heart. “Getting angry with another person is like throwing hot coals with bare hands: both people get burned.” Buddha

Through the practice of mindfulness and wisdom, we can begin to understand the gratification, danger and escape in case of sensual pleasure.

Shaila Catherine concluded our lecture series on the Great Disciples, with a talk about the Venerable Mahakaccana. He was a monk famous for explaining difficult and perplexing teachings. The Buddha sometimes gave brief teachings that left the listeners confused. Sometimes the disciples did not ask the Buddha questions to clarify their doubt. Instead they sought out another monk to elucidate the matter and explain the detailed meaning. The Pali Canon preserves several insightful discourses in which initial enigmatic teachings by the Buddha are systematically explained by Venerable Mahakaccana. He addresses profound topics including the construction of I-making and mine-making, craving, conceit, views, mindfulness of sense perceptions, obsession with thoughts of past and future, and overcoming desire and lust. His methods of exposition became the basis of early commentary, and Mahakaccana became known as the first Buddhist commentator.