The "Peace That Passes Understanding" is a hallmark of many spiritual traditions, when they are practiced in depth. This talk discusses what equanimity is and how it is utilized in meditation practice.
Papanca is the Pali word for the Mind that observes, fantasizes and tells stories. Often these mind states are accompanied by craving, aversion and a strong sense of self. Bringing mindfulness and compassion to this experience can help us lesson how often we get lost in it.
Dharma practice is not only about learning to be with suffering. Cultivating wholesome states and noticing when they're here is an essential part of practice that leads to the highest happiness. This talk includes some teachings of the Buddha on how to develop happiness in our lives.
This two-part series offers a clear and fresh understanding of practices that cultivate mindful awareness. The first class examines our attitude towards practice and gives guidance on posture, establishing an anchor for attention, and learning to concentrate and collect the mind - “coming back.” The second class focuses on the practice of mindfulness - “being here,” and the component qualities of clear recognition and an allowing non-judgmental presence.
We look in more depth at two more ways to "thin" the self, to explore anath:
1. cultivating of "flow" and
2. examining several ways that there is a "thick" sense of self
Mindfulness used investigatively leads to insight. Insight leads to liberation/freedom of mind and heart. this talk describes how to "investigate" in meditation practice.
An exploration of the challenges of connecting our mindfulness and heart practices, of how equanimity practice interpenetrates with the other three brahmavihara, of the nature of equanimity, and of some of the "near opposites" (or near enemies) of equanimity.
The practice can be seen in terms of balance and an unfolding process. The Five Spiritual Faculties - Faith, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration & Wisdom - describe both of these perspectives.
In this talk we explore the "relative" reality of kinship - patterns that harm (blindness, silence, and sameness) and mindful practices that heal and bridge separation.
These regularly scheduled mornings begin with a guided meditation, sometimes followed by standing or walking meditation. There is a Dharma talk and often a question and answer period where attendees can inquire about practice.
