This is the first talk in a 5-part speaker series titled "Balanced Practice". In this talk, Kim Allen explores faith, trust, confidence, curiosity, inquiry and doubt, and how these factors relate to our practice.
Renunciation can seem like rejection or a penance. But true renunciation is more like relinquishment - letting go of what no longer serves us, allowing the mind and heart more space to open and find freedom.
I’ll be continuing the talk series on The Three Pillars of the Dharma. The theme this week is the second pillar, Sila (virtue). I’ll be giving additional focus to wise and harmonious speech/communication, a topic I’ve been hearing people are interested in.
Given at Sacramento Insight Meditation. There are many challenges as well as opportunities that emerge from illness and learning how to navigate them. Dealing with expectations that practice should be different. Value of devotion, chanting and bowing. Finding different sources of energy other than will and determination. Working with emotional pain as part of the practice. Letting go of stories. Resting in awareness. Enduring overwhelm. Learning how to be OK when things are not OK.
This talk looks at different Sutta references on the four right efforts and how to work with them on retreat. includes an erroneous statement on karma. Please excuse. Oops.
A key spiritual inquiry is, “In this moment, what most serves awakening?” Rather than a particular style of meditation practice, it is our way of relating to our experience - our attitude - that frees our hearts. This talk explores the attitudes that are an expression of our innately open, wakeful and loving awareness, and that carry us to realization.
