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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
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Dharma Talks
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2009-10-16
Empty Yourself of Fear
25:03
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Ayya Medhanandi
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One night, while Malani was dying, we gathered a group of her close friends to meditate with her. Each breath was a struggle yet she stayed aware, serene, composed, and at peace. We listened in silence, breathing freely – but our minds were not free. We knew all is impermanent, that we can die at any time. Yet we carry on as if we have forever. So we try again, everyday, to practise living in awareness. One moment at a time, empty yourself of fear and let go the world. Listen to the silence and wake up – like dear Malani.
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Ottawa Buddhist Society
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2009-10-16
Empty of Fear
28:43
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Ayya Medhanandi
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A dedication to a member of the community who is in the last stages of life. She struggles with breathing but is composed and at peace with the process. We are reminded how important it is to train the mind while we are able to do so. A talk given at Quaker House, Ottawa.
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Ottawa Buddhist Society
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2009-10-12
Mindfulness of the Body.
56:42
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Sally Armstrong
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Though the heart of our meditation practice is to understand and free the mind, much of our experience is known through the body, so our relationship to the body is extremely important. Learning how to work skillfully with both pleasant and painful experiences is essential in meditation, and developing a wise attitude to the body that appreciates it yet doesn’t identify with it as me or mine is a great support to the deepening of practice.
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Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
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Two-Month Retreat
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2009-10-05
Impermanence
61:16
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Guy Armstrong
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A lot of understanding can come from reflecting on the way impermanence shows itself in our lives both outwardly and inwardly, including our vulnerability to aging and death. But even more penetrating insight comes to the mind that has become still through meditation. Through this way of seeing, the truth of impermanence sinks into our bones and the wisdom of non-clinging becomes very obvious.
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Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
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Two-Month Retreat
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2009-10-02
Wisdom, Calm and Insight
36:46
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Ajahn Sucitto
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In meditation we want to penetrate the depths of mind, to get the roots of our habits, attitudes, beliefs. We go through the body because it’s easier to discern as an object than mind. Steadying and calming the body energies, wisdom builds up, begins to know cause and effect, what leads to clarity, what leads to release.
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Cittaviveka
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Vassa Retreat
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2009-10-01
Hindrances and Aggregates - The Right Response
28:18
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Ajahn Sucitto
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We can use the suffering that arises from the hindrances as a means for clearing kamma. Rather than getting hooked by our habitual reactions, track the experience through the lens of the aggregates. Set aside the topic, get underneath it. Work with it on an energetic level, feel it in the body. It isn’t easy, but over time confidence builds that this is where it ceases. Then these hindrances have taught us a powerful lesson we won’t get anywhere else.
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Cittaviveka
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Vassa Retreat
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2009-09-30
Attention, Intention, Energy and Awareness
22:16
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Two factors play a part in the way the mind operates – attention and intention. Both are conditioned, and both carry energy. Attention limits the span of awareness, intention defines the quality of it. A lot of the problems in meditation can be resolved through attention, intention and bringing the right kind of energy to them.
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Cittaviveka
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Vassa Retreat
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2009-09-28
Embodied Practice
54:15
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Sally Armstrong
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Many of us live our lives somewhat disconnected from our physical experience, or with a distorted view of our bodies. Mindfulness practice – the direct knowing of our experience in an unfiltered way - allows us to connect with our bodies in a way that is kind and accepting. Out of this deep connection, insight into the nature of our bodies and our minds, and how they affect each other, naturally develops.
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Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
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Two-Month Retreat
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2009-09-18
What More Can I Give?
21:32
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Ayya Medhanandi
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After long years of monastic renunciation, living in seclusion and devoted to spiritual practice, I began to question if this was enough. Was I deluded about the quality of my efforts? Had I really let go the world living with so much peace and natural beauty around me? Had I understood the deeper levels of freeing my heart? What more could I give to open to the truth of this timeless teaching? What must I do? So I asked for a sign. And the answer came. I had to venture again into the unknown and serve. Just like gold is purified by fire, I have to give back, to share the suffering, the joy of sacrifice in the Dhamma – to know the sacred mother of compassion.
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Ottawa Buddhist Society
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