Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Drew Oman's most recent Dharma talks

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) This talk addresses the third ethical precept — refraining from sexual misconduct. Practicing with the precepts involves becoming mindful of our actions, recognizing the effects that our actions have on ourselves and others, learning to respond to our thoughts and feelings with wisdom, kindness, and restraint, and honoring our commitments. This precept provides opportunities to work with the movement of sexual desire and sensual lust. The views of sexuality that were prevalent in ancient India differ from contemporary norms, however, we can apply the underlying intention toward non-harming to contemplate and purify our own conduct. Shaila Catherine offers suggestions forgiving past unskillful actions, and strengthening our capacity for restraint.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) In this guided meditation, Shaila Catherine introduces a practice of mindfulness of the body by observing a sequence of touch sensations. This meditation guides practitioners to gradually move attention through a series of bodily locations where the feet, buttocks, hands, lips, and eye lids touch. At each location we pause to experience the present sensations that are known at that place of touching. After exploring touch points, we broader the field of attention to the whole body sitting. By alternating the focus of attention between precise and clear points of contact, and broad, restful, receptive awareness of the whole body, the meditator nurtures a clear bright balanced mind that can meet the present moment as it is.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Drew Oman gave the first talk in the eleven-week series "Ten Perfections." He began with a brief introduction to the Paramis (Ten Perfections), and then discussed the first perfection, Generosity (Dana), in more detail. He presented material from the suttas and from contemporary research on the relationship between giving and happiness.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Ayya Santussika gave the fifth talk in a six-week series titled "Ethics, Action and the Five Precepts." She takes an in-depth look at the first precept: refraining from killing. She explores harming, how to live a life of non-harming, and facing difficult situations non-violently.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Shaila Catherine gave the fourth talk in a six-week series titled "Ethics, Action and the Five Precepts." Speech is given particular importance in the Buddhist path because wrong speech can cause tremendous harm, and right speech can be profoundly beneficial. Practicing right speech is given emphasis because it's a very vivid way of applying our practice to daily life. When we lie based on delusion and greed, our intention usually is to benefit ourselves. When we lie based on delusion and hatred, our intention is usually to harm others. Even when we lie to cause less harm than would be caused if we spoke the truth, we should be aware of the potential karmic consequences.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Drew Oman gave the third talk in a six-week series titled "Ethics, Action and the Five Precepts." He expands upon the third precept: refraining from sexual misconduct. He explores its relation to the other four precepts and to the four noble truths.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Shaila Catherine gave the second talk in a six-week series titled "Ethics, Action and the Five Precepts." When we undertake the training of refraining from taking that which is not given and practice generosity, we are improving our mind. More specifically, we are purifying our mind of greed. In fact, not stealing and giving are conditions that contribute to the realization of nibbana.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) This talk presents the two guardians, hiri and ottappa in Pali, as lenses for self-examination from the original texts, and as supports for the cultivation of sila in our everyday lives. Hiri, is more inwardly directed; it's our inner moral compass. Ottappa, is more outwardly directed; it comprises of notions such as social conscience or a collective sense of morality. Together, they guard our minds from going too far astray. The audience are divided into pairs to explore how each of these concepts can be used in investigate both wholesome and unwholesome thoughts and actions, helping us to deepen our understanding of what it means to live ethical lives.

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley)

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley)

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley)

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley)

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Guided meditation, meditation instructions

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley)

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Guided meditation, meditation instructions

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Guided Meditation, meditation instructions

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Guided meditation, meditation instructions

(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Guided meditation, meditation instructions