In "real life" we often experience challenging circumstances which arouse hindrances. This talk explores the use of intentional reflection on specific dharma perspectives which may support grounding and wisdom.

A description of the Wise Effort step of the 8 Fold Path, how it fits into the Buddha's teachings, and examples of how to specifically apply it.

This talk explores various points of the Buddha's schema as they relate to a practice at a concentration retreat.

This talks describes the Buddha's realization that all things arise and pass away because of causes and conditions. He saw specifically how suffering/dukkha came to be. Once he understood the causes of the arising of suffering, he was able to "reverse engineer" the process, and see how suffering could be brought to an end. He specifically pointed to the vedana (feeling tone) of experience as a specific arising to relate to wisely. On a larger scale, his teachings on the 8 Fold Path to end the clinging which causes dukkha to arise.

This talk explores how retreatants practice the whole of the 8-Fold Path while on a 3-month retreat

This talk explores what the Buddha meant by "renunciation" why its important, and how it can be practiced.

This talk discusses some of the motivations which can present in meditation practice, and encourages wisdom about which to act on.

Finding inner resources to strengthen the mind/heart when it is challenging. The uses of reflection for self-support.

Half of the sixth step of the eightfold path deals with unwholesome states, but the other half relates to the less discussed practice with the wholesome

This talk was offered during a month-long teaching period at the Forest Refuge. Its themes are the role, wise intention, and wise attention play in doing meditation practice and purifying the heart/mind

This talk was offered during a month-long teaching period at the Forest Refuge. The theme is how training mindfulness and concentration fit into the teachings of the 4 Noble truths and the eightfold path.

A discussion of the Buddhist teachings on morality, in an examination of how these fit into and relate to meditation practice

An explanation of the six step of the noble eightfold path, wise effort. This talk discusses what efforts are to be made, and how to skillfully apply oneself to practice! Yin and yang styles are both discussed.

Ae discussion of the way, Metta supports insight practice and a guided Metta meditation to include the "neutral person"

This talk discusses what equanimity is, and the role it plays in liberating the mind through wisdom

What "wise effort" is, how it fits into the eightfold path, and what characterizes it. The road, Sati (mindfulness) plays in supporting wholesome states, and undercutting the unwholesome.

In meditation practice, particular places of hurt me arise repeatedly. These places may be is by mindful reflection on the theme of forgiveness and the wisdom of letting go.

This talk reflects on the deep causes and conditions for what arises in our individual experience. This view supports an understanding of "not self" and compassion

Is thinking/thought inside or outside of meditation practices? This talk explores how to consider thought, and how do use it to wake up

This talk discusses wise intention, the second step on the eightfold path, and why it is essential to liberation

Introductory walking instructions at a Mahasi Vipassana retreat

This talk matches key suttas is related to samadhi development and to poems and stories of people trying to apply these teachings

On the role of concentration in the Buddhist path to awakening. Discusses what distinguishes "wise concentration" from other types

Integrated meditation instructions are reviewed, on the seventh day of a 10-day retreat.

There are five states which may arise in meditation practice that can derail progress. This talk advises how to work with them.

This talk addresses the quality of equanimity – what it is and is not – and how to cultivate it

The importance of compassion in the Buddhist path. Discussion of its relationship to Metta, and a description of its near and far enemies. Examples of its applicability including in the situation in Ukraine

We can train the mind to recognize and rejoice in the happiness of others, experiencing happiness ourselves. But to be able to do this, we need to confront human tendencies to compare ourselves to others, and sometimes strong resistance. This talk discusses the beautiful quality of Mudita (Empathetic Joy), and how we can develop it.

The path to liberation can be walked only with sustained effort. However, effort applied to meditation needs to be skillful in order to bear fruit. This talk discusses the role of Wise Effort (Viriya) in Buddhist practice, and how to recognize common misapplications of energy.

This talk was offered at a month long insight meditation retreat, where most of the day is devoted to sitting and walking practice. The discussion acknowledges and explicitly points out the larger framework within which these meditations are done. It briefly reviews the 4 Noble Truths and the 8 Fold Path, especially focusing on Mundane Wise View and Wise Intention. These place in context, and inform, why and how these practices support the heart/mind in finding release.

This is the initial sitting meditation instruction for a month long retreat. It supports people in settling in, finding the body and its sensations, and identifying a primary object/anchor.

Metta for difficult person

The motivation for practice changes as our initial ideas about what we "get" out of it, meet frustration. As delusion is exposed and let go of, real practice begins.

The idea of cultivation (Bhavana) is the key to Buddhism. This talk relates this concept to the development of the four foundations of mindfulness, especially the first.

Motivations powers dharma practice. Its depth and purity determine what other mental factors and paramis are brought forward in meditation. This talk contrasts what "mainstream" motivations provide, contrasted with a deeper drive to understand.

This talk discusses how to practice mindfulness externally as a participant in the world. Buddhist principles for social engagement are reviewed

This talk discusses the role of concentration in meditation, and how to skillfully cultivate it

The 8 fold path emphasis moral restraint. This talk discusses the hows and whys of this set of practices.

Two of the great endeavors involve foreclosing and abandoning unwholesome states. But the other two efforts involve the less discussed summoning and developing of the wholesome.

This talk reviews the role continuity of practice has in strengthing mindfulness. The practice day is reviewed, with specific places of opportunity identified.

An opening talk for a 6-week retreat. This discusses four qualities necessary for success in practice. These are: strong motivation, renunciation, metta/compassion, and patience.

This talk discusses sources of non-sensual happiness including the wholesome state of gratitude. A guided gratitude reflection concludes this talk.