Recording Category: Dharma Talks
The political climate in our country is causing strong emotions to arise on both sides of the political spectrum. Our practice can help us respond skillfully, with wisdom and compassion.
Jyoshin explores the Wisdom Sutras in relation to where a bodhisattva stands in relation to this changing world of conditions.
Kakumyo explores the continuum of respect and reverence, and how this might feed or confuse our enthusiasm for practice.
The virtuous states of mind known as the brahmaviharas are a foundation of Buddhist teaching. It’s easy to get caught in their subtle net. We explore why these “sacred emotions” can be so difficult.
Kakumyo explores some of the side effects of meditation and a mindful life and how these have been worked with over time.
How many ways are there to work with what arises in the heart/mind of meditation? Thoughts and feelings may not be two, but they are not one either. It may be helpful to explore at least one approach to feelings that differs from that of thoughts.
There are many models that we elevate to inspire and inform our practice. One model that we don’t talk about a whole lot is the arhats. This talk fixes that.
Genko describes how she came to prison work and shares some of what she’s learned in doing it for the last 16 or so years.
We begin to practice because of a wish – an aspiration. In Buddhism, this takes the form of the vow. Shohaku Okumura calls this “a stupid way of life.” Jiko’s talk explores what this means.
Yincheng’s dharma talk explores practicing non-attainment with Yongjia.
Spiritual bypass can be defined as the use of spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. However, it also provides a unique perspective through which we can view many aspects of our practice. Gyoshi explores some of these.
Harmony is one of those underrated states. It seems like a good idea but doesn’t tend to be a critical priority, and may be a bit of an acquired taste in practice. Kakumyo talks about some of our tools for increasing, maintaining, and protecting interpersonal harmony.
There seems to be so much suffering in the world right now that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How can we respond appropriately?
We all come to practice with an expectation of what practice will give us. In our not-so-secret hearts, we are hoping to get fixed. Jiko discusses.