Dharma Seed: dharma talks and meditation instruction

(Aloka Earth Room) Short Reflection on the Four Vipallasa & Guided Meditation | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Morning

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with a review of the nature of samadhi and of samatha practice, in which we develop greater samadhi. Samadhi is understood as a natural quality (including with other species) that we may know through times in which we are deeply immersed and absorbed in an activity, such as being with another, art, music, or sports. Samatha is one of the two main forms of meditation taught by the Buddha, along with insight practice. We also give an overview of how samatha practice deepens, going into some depth on the model of the five jhanic factors, and pointing to the experiences of the first two jhanas (as taught by the Buddha). The talk is followed by discussion.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We review at the beginning the basic instructions for cultivating concentration (samadhi), including attention to posture, a variety of possible areas of focus (with most attention given to the breath, including the technique of practicing with the "three-part breath"), and balancing "not too tight" and "not too loose." We also review the main challenges that can arise in such practice, and how to work with these challenges. Then we practice mostly in silence, with a discussion period at the end of the sitting.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Refuge of Belonging) Drawing on the legend of the Buddha touching the earth and the Barre town motto that named her retreat center, Sharon Salzberg explores viriya — the pāramī of energy, effort, and courageous application. This talk examines how right effort lives in the middle way between strain and indolence, how the integration of inner and outer work makes the dharma real, and how we claim our own right to aspire to freedom.

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) Dhammapada Verses 129-145 Violence The text can be found here: https://suttacentral.now/dhp129-145 Look for Ācāriya Buddharakkhita version.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Common Ground Meditation Center)

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Practice can sometimes feel complicated with so many different techniques and instructions on how to extricate oneself from identifying with our experience. Using approaches from Tibetan Dzogchen and other non-dual teachings this talks explores the profound simplicity of letting go of all trying as a way to come back to our true nature.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this overview about developing concentration (samadhi) in our practice, we examine (1) the nature of concentration (or samadhi), including the etymology of the term and how we often find a natural concentration in daily life; (2) its importance in our practice; (3) some ways to practice to develop concentration, and (4) five challenges of such practice and how to work with them. The talk is followed by discussion.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Full instructions are given at the beginning for cultivating concentration (samadhi), including attention to posture, a variety of possible areas of focus (with most attention given to the breath, including on the "three-part breath"), and balancing "not too tight" and "not too loose." Then we practice mostly in silence, with a brief discussion period at the end of the sitting.

(Insight Meditation Community of Richmond) This talk explores the Buddha’s life after his awakening, his first teachings, and the wisdom he shared near the end of his life.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Parayana Vihara)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) James has been offering reflections on the Dhammapada, the Buddha's collection of pithy teachings, and how they can be practically applied in our lives. Dhammapada Verse #165 emphasizes that individuals are responsible for the direction of their own spiritual unfolding. No external force or person can do it for us. This talk explores the implications.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Insight Meditation Community of Richmond) This talk explores the life of the Buddha from his early years as Prince Siddhattha through his awakening under the Bodhi tree. Through his search, struggles, and realization, we uncover insights into suffering, striving, and the Middle Way.

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria)) 00:34 Q1Can you say more about the nature of mind; 09:38 Can you explain one more time sati (mindfulness) being inside and outside and both inside and outside; 17:24 Q2 Can you speak about jhana. Some Thai forest teachers teach it and others won't mention it. 27:41 Q3 How to cultivate clarity of vision. 30:01 Q4 What is the difference between cause and effect and conditioning? 33:49 Q5 Do creativity and imagination help or can they be obstacles to the practice of Buddhism? 37:43 Q6 What is the role of practices like QiGong and yoga and spiritual life? 35:54 Q7 What can we do about physical and leg pain? 42:59 Q8 How can one deal with repeated negative thoughts? 50:16 Q9 I am concerned about good and evil in the world. Should one be taking up action against it? 51:42 Q10 What qualities or practices should we focus on as an anagarika (one who leaves the household life)? 54:28 Q11 What's a good thing to think about as the last thing before you sleep?

(Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center) Facing difficulty with wisdom, compassion, and balance - walking a path of non-harming.

(Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center) Facing difficulty with wisdom, compassion, and balance - walking a path of non-harming.

(Barre Center for Buddhist Studies)

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria)) Q1 00:06 Sometimes at home I fall asleep meditating. I feel at peace and focused but just relaxed too much. Can you advise? Q2 13:23 Could you please give some advice on how to prevent attachment and clinging arising? Q3 18:52 What are the factors for wisdom to arise? Q4 25:52 What are the purposes of not eating after 12:00? Why can we eat only a little bit, like some cheese? Q5 32:32 I love my family and want them to know who I am. Fear of losing them is somehow close to the fear of losing part of what I am. I like the Vedic term jiva that may also be called individuality. Is it possible that jiva has no identity, no limits and no attachments? Are the inter-connection of compassion and loving kindness, forms of attachment? Q6 40:58 How best to support or love someone whose mind is exhausted and burnt out? Q7 45:15 We've heard about right effort and right view, what about right action? They seem very similar. Q8 49:37 What are the best or most beneficial hours for meditation? Q9 52:28 When labelling feelings with the three qualities anicca, dukkha, annata, is it a good idea to do it also with feeling of joy or piti?

(Barre Center for Buddhist Studies)

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria)) Q1 What is the goal of a meditation session other than maintaining awareness of what arises and ceases in the present moment? 07:45 Q2 What is the goal other than being enlightened? 14:11 Q3 how can we deal with remorse regarding situations where in hindsight we feel we should have acted? 26:13 Q4 how can I make disturbance the objective meditation? Can you give advice on how to deal with aversion? 34:07 Q5 What about resistance to walking meditation? What are the benefits of walking meditation? 42:00 Q6 There's knowledge in my mind that one action is not conditioned to the following one. There's a gap between the feelings and craving. With skilfulness we can stop this unskilful movement. Can you comment please?

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Some suggestions for exploring anatta/not-self as a support for bothwise effort and deepening insight.

(Sumedharama Monastery (Casa de Oração Santa Rafaela Maria))

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Cittaviveka)