Copy of http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/9/talk/21316 with recovered audio

Beginning with chanting of refuges and precepts, followed by guided meditation/instructions and Q&A

Sharing of merit to all beings and using the five precepts as a foundation for practicing Dhamma daily life.

Reflecting on one's ethical conduct can bring a lot of gladness and joy in one's meditation practice.

Over the years of practice we work with the precepts in a number of ways—using resolve and restraint, becoming acquainted with our karmic patterns and feeling the consequences of these, and strengthening skillful states by noticing what it feels like to do good, to behave well.

Refuges and Precepts

The Buddha taught that there are five preconditions necessary for the development of meditation practice in seclusion—good friends, virtue and restraint, engaging in talk on the Dhamma, wise effort, wisdom. These preconditions, presented in the Meghiya Sutta, are developed progressively and support one another. This talk explores the importance of restraint in a successful practice, and considers virtuous action to be an expression of wisdom. Ethical behavior and the inner respect that comes with the knowledge that we can refrain from unwholesome impulses is a foundation for practice. Precept training encourages wise reflection regarding the many choices that we make in our lives. We can reflect on the intention that initiates an action, the experience while engaged in the action, and the result that develops from an action so that we bring wisdom into every action and interaction. The five precepts, and the ten unwholesome and ten wholesome actions are presented. We have the power to choose what we develop with diligence and wisdom.

Meditation instructions by Larry Rosenberg

Use the practice to understand the boundaries, structures, and limits of our lives to locate that terrain within us which is beyond boundaries. We go to it by inclining the mind towards stopping, taking precepts and fully arriving in the present, in the sanctuary of now. We stop in the silence and with curiousity and wonder, investigate the true meaning of our life.

Part Two of the 2013 Garrison LGBTQ retreat opening evening--the Precepts

An exploration of the fifth and third precepts from a contemplative perspective: what intoxicates? What nourishes and sustains our practice?

from day-long retreat at Maya Sanctuary, Denver CO

First of 2 talks about the five precepts as instruction for meditation practice; as both path to and expression of our pabhassara citta, radiant clear mind.

Short introduction to precepts. Taking 5 precepts and 3 refuges

Dharma Talk

A discussion of the refuges and precepts (including chanting them at the start of the IMS 3 month retreat) and some reflections regarding useful attitudes when beginning a retreat.

the value of ethics as a foundation for practice and as a protection of all beings

Welcome to the experience of retreat, how to get the most from your time including refuges and precepts.

We look at one of the primary training areas of a Bodhisattva, one who connects inner practice and helping others ethical practice. We consider an expansive understanding of the five lay precepts, and the challenges of ethical practices.

Both a gradual and immediate awakening. Freedom and peace is the core of each moment. Five precepts as gifts, offering freedom from fear and oppression.

Dharma Talk

To be able to enter deeply into relationship, it is necessary to be able both to forgive and to assert yourself skillfully. Forgiveness and assertiveness support each other. Forgiveness clears out ill will so you can assert yourself with compassion and Wise Speech. Self-assertion takes care of your own needs so forgiveness can emerge without the sense that you are a doormat. This experiential workshop will get into the nitty-gritty of how to bring the Buddha’s profound teachings on interrelatedness, lovingkindness, and virtue (sila) into the messy real world of relationships with family members, lovers, friends, bosses, and co-workers. This workshop - led by a world renowned expert on forgiveness, and by an experienced couples and family therapist and meditation teacher - will offer user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. We'll cover: -- The Buddha’s teachings on non-harming, wise speech, compassion and kindness, and releasing ill will -- as well as his teachings on self-care, respecting your own needs, and looking out for your own happiness -- The primacy of relationships in evolution, and the deep capacities for both loving altruism and fearful aggression -- The neural machinery of emotional reactivity and developing grievances with others -- Why forgiveness and assertiveness are both important -- The foundation of basic mindfulness, precepts, Wise Speech, compassion for oneself and others, and emotional self-care -- Forgiveness practices -- Assertiveness practices There will be some voluntary paired activities as well as time for questions and discussion. While the teachings are appropriate for use in health care professions, no background with psychology or meditation is needed. Also please know that this workshop is not psychotherapy or any substitute for professional care.

Review of the 3 characteristics and 5 precepts. Exploration of faith and refuge as we leave retreat. Explanation of 'karooke' as appreciation practice.

We form a spiritual company and a shared Dharma body when we commit to a retreat with precepts and refuges.

We make many decisions and choices in our lives. To choose one option, we inevitably sacrifice other possibilities. Beliefs and personal standpoints limit the range of our options. What are your priorities in life? What are your strongest intentions and aspirations? The Kalama Sutta offers recommendations for making decisions—consider what leads to happiness and what leads to harm. The ten unwholesome and ten wholesome actions, and ethical precepts are explored in this talk as guidelines for wise decision making.

First night talk on what we are doing on retreat, working with hindrances, mindfulness, connection to refuges and precepts.

Please note that the recordings of Rebs dialogues with retreatants have been removed due to the personal nature of the dialogues.

Please note that the recordings of Rebs dialogues with retreatants have been removed due to the personal nature of the dialogues.

Please note that the recordings of Rebs dialogues with retreatants have been removed due to the personal nature of the dialogues.

Please note that the recordings of Rebs dialogues with retreatants have been removed due to the personal nature of the dialogues.

Please note that the recordings of Rebs dialogues with retreatants have been removed due to the personal nature of the dialogues.