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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
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Dharma Talks
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2014-03-21
with Dan Harris - Dharma in Dialogue: 10% Happier—What Meditation Can and Can't Do for You
1:23:34
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Mark Epstein
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In his new book, 10% Happier, ABC News anchor Dan Harris tells the story of how a skeptic became a meditator, and how the practice helped him better manage an extremely competitive career. One of the key developments in Dan's strange odyssey from avowed critic of all things touchy-feely to unlikely evangelist for meditation was an unusual friendship with Dr. Mark Epstein, the Buddhist psychiatrist and author. Through many years of regular lunches and dinners, Mark helped Dan see the value of mindfulness — and also its limits.
During this evening event, the two will share the story of their friendship and its lessons.
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New York Insight Meditation Center
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NYI Regular Talks
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2014-03-15
The Unsurpassed Happiness of Insight and Liberation
49:11
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Shaila Catherine
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This talk explores insight practice (vipassana) as a profound approach to the unsurpassed happiness of liberation. Awakening (realization of nibbana) arises through the clear seeing of mind and matter as they actually are. Insight into the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and empty nature of things leads to a profound disenchantment and dispassion toward what was previously clung to. Mind and matter will never the a reliable basis for lasting happiness. Seeing this, the mind releases its habits of craving temporary pleasures, and clinging to things that change. The insight into impermanence is the spark for the most profound state of peace and joy, and creates a pleasant dwelling in this very life, even for the Arahant. The talk is followed by a guided meditation that encourages the observation of changing feelings, formations, mental states and emotions—seeing the impermanent nature of all experiences.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2014-03-15
Happiness of a Concentrated Mind—Talk and Guided Meditation
39:54
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Shaila Catherine
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This is a talk on the theme of the joy of seclusion, followed immediately by a guided meditation on concentration using the breath as the focus. A concentrated mind is a happy mind. Joy, rapture, happiness, pleasure, sublime bliss, peacefulness, and equanimity are intrinsic to concentrated states. This brief talk introduces the four states of concentrated absorption known as the four jhanas and the immaterial states of infinite space, infinite consciousness, the base of nothingness or emptiness, and the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. In Buddhism, not only is the rapture and pleasure of attaining jhana a form of happiness, but the deep ease and equanimity of the immaterial states are considered to be refined forms of happiness.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2014-03-15
Happiness and the Gladness of Non-remorse
43:19
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Shaila Catherine
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This talk introduces a series of talks on the theme of happiness, and addresses a tension found in Buddhism between teachings that emphasis suffering, and teachings that encourage profound joy. In the Buddha's teachings a distinction is made between sensual pleasures, and pleasures that develop through wholesome states of virtue, renunciation, concentration, or insight. Happiness can be supportive for practice, and this talk encourages us to enjoy meditation, to open to natural pleasures, and to cultivate delight in the dhamma, but we must understand if the support for our joy is skillful. By reflecting on our virtuous acts, generosity, and meritorious deeds, and by recollecting the noble qualities of the Buddha, we can delight the mind, stimulate self-respect and self-esteem, and inspire our practice with a wholesome source of joy.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2014-03-12
Teachings on the Samyutta Nikaya and an approach to sutta study: A Conversation with Bhikkhu Bodhi
1:56:36
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Bhikkhu Bodhi
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In this conversational interview between Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, Shaila Catherine, and students in Insight Meditation South Bay's online Samyutta Nikaya course (www.imsb.org), Bhikkhu Bodhi offers teachings that illuminate the collection of suttas known as the Connected Discourses of the Buddha. Venerable Bodhi explains the historical background of this collection, comments on the cosmological world view embraced by early Buddhism, and offers skillful tips for studying the Discourses. He recommends approaching this collection as an exposition of the Four Noble Truths. He shares insights gained through his translation process, including his reflections regarding the choice to translate certain terms such as dukkha (as suffering or unsatisfactoriness), rupa (as form or materiality), and nibbida (as disenchantment or revulsion).
The conversation explores the historical influence of the commentarial texts, and Bhikkhu Bodhi offers practical advise for both the beginner and seasoned reader of the Buddha's teachings. He recommends that readers take notes as they read, and nurture the five steps of contemplation: 1) listening to the teachings, 2) retain in mind what was heard, 3) repeat the teaching verbally, 4) examine the teaching with the mind, 5) penetrate it well with insight. The discussion concludes with reflections on how to approach a study of the Numbered Discourses of the Buddha (The Anguttara Nikaya).
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Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
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2014-02-09
The Power of Mindfulness, Part 2
27:40
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Mark Coleman
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For thousands of years people have cultivated mindfulness as a complete path to awakening. Contemporary research reveals how mindfulness improves attention, reduces stress, and increases health, well being and the capacity for happiness. Mindful awareness allows you to be attentive in the present moment with the quality of acceptance, spaciousness and equanimity. It is the foundation for living with wisdom and compassion and is the seed from which springs much joy and peace.
On this day you will learn the foundations of mindfulness that enable you to live with a clear and wakeful presence in every aspect of your life. We will explore this innate quality of awareness and what interferes with establishing this mindful presence. Participants will learn to cultivate awareness through accessible yet profound meditations on the breath, the body, and how to work with emotions and thoughts that can hamper our well being. You will also learn how mindful awareness provides the basis for insight and freedom.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2014-02-09
The Power of Mindfulness - An Introduction
44:33
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Mark Coleman
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For thousands of years people have cultivated mindfulness as a complete path to awakening. Contemporary research reveals how mindfulness improves attention, reduces stress, and increases health, well being and the capacity for happiness. Mindful awareness allows you to be attentive in the present moment with the quality of acceptance, spaciousness and equanimity. It is the foundation for living with wisdom and compassion and is the seed from which springs much joy and peace.
On this day you will learn the foundations of mindfulness that enable you to live with a clear and wakeful presence in every aspect of your life. We will explore this innate quality of awareness and what interferes with establishing this mindful presence. Participants will learn to cultivate awareness through accessible yet profound meditations on the breath, the body, and how to work with emotions and thoughts that can hamper our well being. You will also learn how mindful awareness provides the basis for insight and freedom.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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