Dharma Seed: dharma talks and meditation instruction

(Aloka Earth Room) Short Reflection on the 3rd Vipallasa & Guided Meditation

(Insight Santa Cruz)

(Benicia Insight Meditation) We explore the nature of doing and not-doing, both in meditation and more generally. We begin with emphasizing the importance for the Buddha of diligence, skillful effort (one of the factors of the Eightfold Path), and doing. Yet there also is a clear place for what we can call “not-doing,” for example, in cultivating mindful receptivity to experience. We examine as well how being a “doer” is so central to many of our identities, whether in our roles or work or even in our meditation. We also look to how we often experience a kind of not-doing in everyday life in “flow” experiences in different aspects of life. Finally, we show how accessing the depths of human experience commonly requires a profound not-doing, as we find brought out, for example, in Taoism, some of the Buddha’s teachings, and Tibetan Mahamudra and Dzogchen. The talk is followed by discussion.

(Benicia Insight Meditation) In the context of the basic instructions on developing first concentration (samadhi) and then mindfulness, we interweave guidance on emphasizing doing, or more active effort, and not-doing, including through opening more receptively, and some other short practices.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Dhamma Stream Online Sessions) 0:53 Q1 I'm very impulsive and I find that smoking grounds me. I'd like to quit but it's not the proper time or the moment. Do you have any suggestions? 07:29 Q2 I have a question about recognizing not self, anatta. It's difficult to maintain this perspective over a longer period of time. I feel quite content but my personality keeps popping up and I struggle with egg handling me anxiety of aging and losing my job. How can I handle living in the real world? 18:40 Q3 Some questions on measureless States: a) I was attending a retreat with Ayye Anandabodhi what arose was a sense of gratitude. Is gratitude a prerequisite for cultivating the brahmaviharas? b) A local sangha leader often mentions "it's like this now'. Sometimes I find this just frustrating. Can you say something about this? c) 27:29 Q4 Sometime ago you talked about the fruition of karuna / compassion as boundless space, muditha/sympathetic joy as boundless consciousness and upekkha / equanimity as no-thing-ness. Can you speak more about this? 33:17 Q5 Resignation and acceptance. I can only accept my life situation at this moment is to resign myself to the circumstances. I experience a lot of direct and indirect rejection but feel sorry and defeated. 44:12 Q6 I'm 54 and I'm feeling in a kind of bardo, an in-between space in my life. My question is not about ambition but how do I want to spend the rest of my life. What can you advise?

(Dhamma Stream Online Sessions)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) We often overlook the absence of pain and suffering. Kaira Jewel also offers movement as an anchor.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Intro to Brahmaviharas and guided metta for self

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Intro talk by Jean Esther. Waking up to our direct experience in the present moment is the doorway to greater ease and peace in the body, mind and heart.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Further into the Brahma Viharas, talk about equanimity or Upekha, the two types of equanimity , how to cultivate the second one, given that the first one can only be achieved by cultivating all the Paramis. Then a short guided meditation based on the Tibetan Tonglem of bringing other's pain/suffering into our hearts to tranform them into light.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Discerning formations as void; key features of the knowledge of equanimity toward formations.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Guided meditation starting with settling the body, then the breath as air element,then identifying the the rest of the four elements in our bodies,the solidity of air, the fluidity and cohesion of water and the temperature of fire. At last a guided with instructions sky gazing meditation to do outside.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Guiding Meditation. Starting with settling the Body and then the breath. A subtle balance between relaxation adn allertness. Focusing on the breath sensations in relationship with the air element.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We are nothing but Earth inlcuding all its elements, not separete from her/them, Inviting to honor, revere it, seeing clearly the interdependence. Inviting to shift from seeing Earth as a resource to recognizing it as our creator, sustainer, healer, and home. By remembering that we are not separate from the living world—but an expression of it—we cultivate humility, gratitude, ethical responsibility, joy arises from a deeper sense of belonging, inspiring both inner transformation and compassionate care for all life.

(Insight Santa Cruz)

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, comments, questions and responses was offered on June 20, 2026 for East Bay Dhamma. Dhammapada verses 146 -156 Old Age was discussed. The text can be found here: https://suttacentral.net/dhp146-156/en/buddharakkhita?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false 00:00 - 1:36:32 DHAMMA TALK, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This talk explores the core teaching of letting go and how it relates to profound states of well-being. We learn about Natural Awareness-- the luminous quality of the mind-- and try a few "Glimpse practices" to access it. Diana then shows us how Natural Awareness practice can help us navigate the complex, challenging, and heart-breaking times in the world today.

(East Bay Meditation Center) We begin with a short account of some of the history of Juneteenth and its origins in Texas, as well as how it developed in the decades after 1865, including under Jim Crow. We ask how consideration of Juneteenth and the ensuing history informs our practice, considering the three main elements of our practice: Training in wisdom (particularly in understanding the roots of racism in greed for power and wealth and a "divide and conquer" approach); meditation (both in examining our conditioning and working with difficult emotions), and ethical practice (developing care and addressing harm, for the benefit of all beings). The talk is followed by discussion.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This session explores equanimity-- what it is, how to cultivate it, and how to work with the "mosquitoes" we encounter.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This talk explores the different ways we might meet difficult emotions on retreat and in life. And in case you're not experiencing only difficult emotions, there is also some guidance on how to hold pleasant states, too!

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this talk, on day 3 of the retreat, Gullu discusses expanding the frame of awareness from just the anchor to include more and more experience, especially thoughts and emotions.

(Auckland Insight Meditation)

(Auckland Insight Meditation)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We explore how to be aware of body sensations from a "Somatic Mindfulness" or body-based perspective, as well as get guidance on how to mindfully work with physical pain

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Adam will give the talk. Over the past seven months, Adam traveled through Bali, Nepal, and Japan on a pilgrimage that became both an outer journey and an inner exploration. At the heart of this journey was a simple question: What allows a human being to feel truly at home within themselves? Drawing from meditation, spiritual pilgrimage, and somatic practice, Adam reflects on how love transforms shame and restores our innate dignity and belonging. He will share how he sees the journey through the lens of the five elemental stages of SomAwaken that he teaches.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In the talk Gullu introduces a simple accesible loving kindness practice to cultivate an attidude of friendliness, benevolence and good will for a beloved being, self and all beings.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This foundational talk on mindfulness offers insight into why and how to practice mindfulness, the science behind it, what makes meditation difficult, the qualities of a mindful mind, and the fruits of the practice.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In our first morning, you are guided to slow down, settle, and turn toward your breath as your faithful anchor for the meditation.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Insight Santa Cruz)

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden)) Questions are précised. Q1. [The first question is missing from the recording, but appears to be:] Can you comment on the heart and body connections and their functioning. To what extent are they the same and different? How do they manage the body's strong cravings, desires and wants? 07:26 Q2 I had an accident and fell 8 m to the ground. At that moment a bright white beam came towards me and I experienced great sadness to leave my wife and daughter behind. Can you comment on this please? 09:53 Q3 My wife would like stop taking antidepressants after many years of using them but is afraid of all the negative emotions she has suppressed with her medication. How can I help her in the best way ?

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center)

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))

(Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center) Exploring the Brahma Viharas in Nature

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Equanimity as an Enlightenment Factor and equanimity arising from insight bring a kind of gentle joy to the heart and lead to awakening.

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Guided meditation using the chant from the Pali Sutta text for the Divine Abidings (Brahmaviharas)

(Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center)

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Brahmaviharas, equanimity, kamma and joy.

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(VipassanaGruppen (Sweden))