Spirit Rock Meditation Center: John Travis's most recent Dharma talks

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Dharma Talk (Group Q/A is not included)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In John's classic style, the Talk begins with a funny story and a moving poem, followed by John's reflections and stories from around the world about the theme of working with Wanting and Aversion in the mind. The Talk concludes with thoughts about Views and Opinions, the Sense of Self and Awareness.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) John's poem- story of the Himalayas- working with desire and aversion - and opening to Awareness

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) John's stories--commentary on: Impermanence--Body--Views and Opinions--Not Self--Awareness

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) A pilgrimage to Mustang, working with fear in the body and exploring the 5 hindrances.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Impermanence--The Body--Views and Opinions--The Self-Awareness

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Angela Center)) John shares stories of his own personal lineage of practice from elders of the Thai Forest Tradition, including teaching based on Ajahn Chah's 'taking the one seat'.

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) wonderful story about ascending Mt. Fuji at the tail end of a typhoon. Followed by a clear description of the four types of Papancha: wanting, aversion, views on opinions and selfing.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Connected with the 5 Spiritual Faculties, the talk describes emptying out the cart of self!

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) After another wild "John in Asia" story, talk outlines clear comprehension of mindfulness.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Stories of hope, fear and the Eightfold Path.

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Using metaphors and imagery talk outlines Dependent Origination and Transcendental Dependent Arising.

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) One seat in the center of the room - the windows of the sense doors - the door of the mind. "Your only job is to stay in your seat." Ajahn Chah

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Morning Instructions on the 'Marks of Existence'

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) After a 'laugh out loud' introductory teaching, the talk deeply explores the Three Characteristics of change, suffering, and not self; and the Three Subtle Characteristics of emptiness, suchness, and 'not there with the object'.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The Third Foundation of Mindfulness

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Mindfulness of the breath and body

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The Four Foundations of Mindfulness offer a direct path to realization.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Drawing on the Thai Forest Tradition, in particular Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Maha Boowa, we explore the image of the one seat as a pointer to freedom.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Knowing the body without stories.

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) All compounded things are fleeting; all tainted states are painful; all phenomena are empty, devoid of self-identity; Nirvana is peace.

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The wheel of Dependent Origination, from suffering to faith; this place of heart and wisdom.

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(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Exploring the body with mindfulness

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Tales from the dharma gypsy.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The talk begins with the stories and teachings of the Thai Forest meditation masters, and continues with personal stories and the teaching of 'taking the one seat'. How to work with hindrances, pleasant and unpleasant, and allow the knowing quality to shine forth; 'sitting in the center' of all things.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The spiritual journey through retreat and trekking; vulnerability, humility and knowing.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This talk explores the vertical and horizontal paths of practice, revealed through adventure stories, poetry and teachings.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Last night talk of the one month/two month. Exploring humility, humor, holding this simple trust through the Dharma.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Poem and journey of awakening through vision of story telling.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Working with the wheel of Dependent Origination

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Poem and then explore aspect of not-self and relative self

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In usual fashion, one of John's poems followed a teaching on dissolving the four types of mental fixations and opening to the radiant mystery.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Stories help point to the possibility of opening to what is difficult and what is beautiful.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Story of John's journey to the mountains, followed by teachings on ease of the body, vividness of the mind and spaciousness of the heart.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The talk outlines the Three Characteristics (change - suffering - not self) and the Three Subtle Characteristics (emptiness - suchness - not with the object). Teachings on the 4 Seals and the 5 Aggregates are also offered.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Through a poem, personal stories, and teachings, the talk explores the seven factors of awakening.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) One of John's Poems. Talk based on 5 spiritual faculties, more based on faith and heart.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Transition talk for two month retreatants. Change and the loss of one monthers. Supporting the stillness.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This talk describes cultivating and revealing ease of body, luminosity of mind and spaciousness of heart.