PODCAST · religion
Sunday Dharma Talk
by Peter Doobinin
A dharma talk given by Peter Doobinin offered weekly on Sunday.
Episodes
-
The Wisdom of Awareness
In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the Buddha's teaching on the First Noble Truth. As he emphasizes , the practice of the noble truths, is a process in which the dharma student attends to certain tasks. In this case, the task is to comprehend dukkha (suffering). The talk was given at…
more -
The Nature of Forms
In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we learn to see clearly into the impermanent, not-self nature of conditioned things. He explains why it's important to develop these perceptions into the nature of our experience. And how we move beyond our doubt and, in turn, cultivate conviction in our...
-
How We Practice
This dharma talk by Peter Doobinin was given on the third night of the April 2026 Eight-Day Retreat at Powell House. As Peter explains, we should learn, as dharma students, to be heedful of how we practice. Which is to say, the attitude that we bring to the practice. In the talk, he describes how...
-
Joyful Effort
This dharma talk by Peter Doobinin was given on the second night of the April 2026 Eight-Day Retreat at Powell House. In the talk, Peter explains how we learn to practice the dharma by making a joyful effort. May all beings live with ease and in peace.
-
Refuge
This dharma talk by Peter Doobinin was given on the first night of the April 2026 Eight-Day Retreat at Powell House. In the talk, Peter describes the practice of taking refuge .... how we take refuge ... and why it's important to learn to do so. May all beings live with ease and in peace.
-
The Quality of Equanimity
This is the fifth in a series of five talks on "The Jhana Qualities" given by Peter in November 2025. In the talk, Peter describes what equanimity is; how, through the practice of breath meditation, we develop the quality of equanimity; and how we put it to use in our efforts to know a greater...
-
The Quality of Pleasure
The third jhana quality is "pleasure." In cultivating skillful pleasure we are learning to establish and maintain a pleasant abiding. When there is a pleasant abiding we remain in the present moment. We are in the most favorable state. We are able to function most effectively, meet the…
more -
The Quality of Ease
The second jhana quality is 'ease." This quality of ease is sometimes known as rapture, piti in Pali. We might think of it as physical ease. When ease is developed we're in a position to remain present, to function effectively, to thrive. The cultivation of ease is an effort made in the service…
more -
Singleness of Mind
The first jhana quality is 'singleness of mind." Singleness of mind is focus. When developed in this quality we're able to put our mind where we choose to put it. And keep it there. In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop this factor of jhana ... and why it's important to do so. This...
-
The Jhana Qualities
The development of concentration, the Buddha teaches, is the heart of the path. The Buddha's concentration, the concentration he learned to develop and then taught is known as jhana. We develop jhana, as the Buddha did, by the practice of mindfulness of breathing. In doing so, it is in our best...
-
Bringing Awareness to Habitual Patterns of Mind
How do we free ourselves from habitual patterns of mind? How do we change the mind? In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the practice of awareness enables us to free ourselves from our habitual patterns ... and how we're able, in consequence, to develop skillful attitude, attitude informed…
more -
Generosity & Equanimity
In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the skills of generosity and equanimity support us as we move forward in life, as we go through periods of transition, as we meet change and difficulty. The talk was given in April 2024.
-
The Verb of Compassion
Compassion is a quality of heart & mind that informs skillful action. As such, compassion is a form of action. A verb. We develop this action by following certain steps. It is a skill. In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains the skill for taking action informed by compassion. The dharma talk was...
-
Patience to Be Aware
In meditation we develop tranquility. Silence. Our task, we might say, is to cultivate silence and then to listen. This sort of listening asks for great patience. In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop patience ... the patience that is asked for, in finding our way to a greater...
-
The Practice of Letting Go
The practice of letting go is just that, a practice. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the 'course of treatment' the Buddha prescribes through which we let go and gradually are freed from suffering. The talk was given in the winter of 2025. NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org
-
The Decision to Live Joyfully
As dharma students, we don't lose sight of the truth. We remember the brightness in life. We remember the joy in life. We remember our capacity for happiness. And through it all, we resolve to live live joyfully. In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we learn to make the resolve to live...
-
Language of the Heart
As dharma students, as an admirable friend, we learn to relate to each other from the heart. We speak the language of the heart. In this talk Peter Doobinin describes why it's so necessary to have admirable friends. "With regard to external factors, I don't envision any other single factor like...
-
Keep to the Heart
As dharma students, as human beings, we meet difficulties in life. We meet difficulty, in ourselves, in others, in the world. Through it all, we stay true. We stay true to ourselves. We stay true to the dharma. We stay true to the heart. we don't lose the heart. We keep to the heart. And it's...
-
The Challenges of Life
As dharma students, we develop meditation and the skills of mindfulness so that can awaken. In the process of awakening, we learn to meet life on life's terms. We learn to meet the difficulties and challenges of life. In doing so, we're not simply seeking to endure the challenges of life. We're...
-
Physiology, Psychology & Spirituality
In dharma practice, we could say, the elemental components are physiology, psychology & spirituality. We develop each of these elements of the practice. And each element supports and strengthens the others. In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we might think of our practice in this ... and...
-
How to Ease Fixation
It is a tendency of the mind to fixate, to become preoccupied with certain things, with certain thoughts, with certain stories. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how, using the skills the Buddha teaches, we learn to ease fixation. And thereby live in the body and in the heart. The talk...
-
Moving Beyond Emotions
Emotions, as Peter Doobinin explains, are part of life, part of what it means to be a human being. In dharma practice, we learn to understand emotions and to develop a skillful relationship to them. And we learn to move beyond emotions, to know those qualities that are transcendent and conduce to...
-
The Path of the Heart
The path is the path of the heart. It's a spiritual path. As Peter Doobinin explains, the elements of this spiritual path include generosity, virtue, renunciation, and meditation. Following this path, we come closer to the heart. We know happiness of heart. The talk was given in January 2025. May...
-
The Dharma is Inside
The dharma is inside. It's found within each of us. It's found in this body. In this very life. As Peter Doobinin explains, as we develop in the practice of meditation, in the practice of mindfulness of the body, we become more and more in tune with the dharma within us. This talk was offered in...
-
This Very Life
The dharma students seeks to know a greater happiness in this very life. As Peter Doobinin explains, we each have the capacity to live with an awakened heart, to live joyfully, to know the joy of living. As we learn to move beyond our doubts and self judgments, the path opens up to us; we know…
more -
Cultivating Affirmative Thinking
As we move forward in our practice, in our efforts to cultivate skillful, affirmative thoughts we know a greater happiness. This, as the Buddha tells us, is something we can do. And it's something we should learn to do, if we want to know a joyful life. In order to have a joyful life, we have to...
-
Asking Skillful Questions
By asking questions in skillful ways we learn to free the heart of its burdens and know the happiness inside, the happiness of heart. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains the skill of asking skillful questions. The talk was given in January 2026. It's the third in a series of dharma talks...
-
Cultivating Skillful Thinking
Our happiness in this life depends on the way that we think and the actions that follow. As dharma students, our task is to abandon unskillful thinking and to cultivate skillful thinking. In this talk, Peter explains the skill for cultivating skillful thinking, thinking that leads us to true...
-
Fundamentals of Skillful Thinking
This dharma talk is the first in a series of talks on the theme of "Skillful Thinking" given by Peter Doobinin in January 2026. As Peter explains, the Buddha's path is a path of developing skills. The skill of skillful thinking is integral to the path. Through developing skillful thinking we are...
-
Time Well Spent
Meditation is often difficult. But, as Peter Doobinin explains, it's time well spent. This talk was given by Peter in December 2025.
-
Here & Now
The practice of the dharma is the practice of being aware in the here & now. Being aware of our experience, as it is, in the moment. And, in turn, shaping our experience of the here & now. In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains what it is to live in the here & now; and how we're able to do that.…
more -
True Dhamma
The truths of the heart, the dhamma, are timeless and deathless. The dharma has always been there and will always be there. The Buddha didn't invent the dharma. He found it. And he taught a way, a path, by which we might find it. Our task is to follow the path and, in turn, to be alert to the...
-
The Dhamma is Timeless
The dhamma is found inside. Inside each of us. It is found inside and it is always there. It is timeless. This talk was given by Peter Doobinin at the end of the year in December 2025. New York Dharma: www.nydharma.org
-
The Truth of Impermanence
There is that which is subject to birth & death; and there is that which doesn't die. As we understand the truth of impermanence, we gradually move toward knowing the happiness that doesn't die: the happiness of the heart. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explain how our understanding of...
-
A Greater Happiness
In dharma practice, we learn to change. We change our karma. We change our actions. The skills the Buddha teaches enable us to no longer act our on our past karma ... and in turn, to act in support of the heart. As we practice these skills, we come to know a greater happiness in this life. This...
-
Discernment: The Practice of Heedfulness
All skillful qualities, the Buddha teaches, are rooted in heedfulness. The practice of heedfulness enables us to discern which actions to take, which actions will lead us to a greater happiness in this life. In this talk, Peter explains the skill of heedfulness, how we develop it, and the...
-
Transcending Past Karma
As the law of karma suggests, our happiness in this life depends on our actions. As dharma students, we seek to take action that is skillful, informed by lovingkindness and compassion, in the service of knowing a greater happiness. However, in order to develop in skillful action we have to...
-
Law of Karma
Understanding of the law of karma is central to the Buddha's path. In awakening, we awaken to the law of karma. In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes the law of karma; and, importantly, he explains how we come to develop this elemental understanding. The talk is the first in a series of dharma...
-
The Way of the Heart
The practice of the dharma is, when developed, a way of life. It is the way of the heart. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the way of the heart and how we learn to develop the heart. He talks about making the resolve to cultivate the way of the heart and encourages us to ask: what is...
-
A Spiritual Cure
The Buddha was considered a spiritual doctor. We have a spiritual disease, he tells us. And he offers us a spiritual cure. What is this spiritual disease? What is the spiritual cure? How do we apply it? In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses these important questions. The talk was given in...
-
Stages of Meditation
In practicing meditation, we go through a process. It requires learning a skill and putting in the effort. As we develop in this process, we go through certain stages. The development of these stages leads us to concentration, a concentration that is strong and useful, a concentration that…
more -
Taking Care of the Heart
How is the heart? Are we taking good care of the heart? These are important questions for us to ask. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we learn to take care of the heart from day to day, moment to moment. The talk was given in March 2024. "As a mother would risk her life to protect...
-
The Power of Gratitude
Gratitude is an essential element of the spiritual path. When gratitude is developed, we're able to function at the highest level. We're able to know the happiness of heart. In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the skills for cultivating gratitude and the quality of appreciation. The…
more -
Joy of Simplicity
Dharma practice is inherently countercultural. We're asked to go against the current. Doing this requires that we develop certain skills. In an effort to practice simplicity, we practice certain skills. We learn to see the drawbacks of chasing after sense pleasures; and we learn to know the joy…
more -
A Life of Goodness
What does it mean to develop our goodness? How do we express our goodness in the world? In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the elements of a life of goodness. As he explains, we seek, as dharma students, to live this kind of life because it brings happiness. The talk was given at a NY...
-
There's a Place for You
In the practice of meditation, we make a journey to the present moment. We make an effort to be here, now. We may feel at times like we don't want to be here, we may feel like we don't belong. But the practice of the dharma offers us a way to make this often difficult journey. In doing so we come...
-
Living Up to Your Potential
The Buddha's path, the dharma, leads us to our greatest potential as human beings. To use a metaphor the Buddha often offered, we learn to cross the river to the further shore. By developing in virtue, concentration & insight, we come to the heart. We come to know a greater happiness: happiness…
more -
Passion for Dhamma
In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop enthusiasm for the dharma, for our practice, for the path that leads to a greater happiness. He talks about what this enthusiasm comprises and how it enables us to move forward in our practice. As he notes, this kind of enthusiasm for...
-
Finding Dhamma
As dharma students, practicing in accord with what the Buddha taught, we learn to incline to knowing the dhamma. We learn to know moments of freedom, peace, true happiness. In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we put ourselves in position to know dhamma. He offer practical suggestions for...
-
Moving Beyond Fear: Fear of Death
In this talk Peter Doobinin discusses an elemental teaching of the Buddha's, the Buddha's teaching on fear of death. As the Buddha tells us, if we develop certain qualities, we'll be able to move beyond the fear of death. Specifically, there are four qualities that the dharma student develops…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A dharma talk given by Peter Doobinin offered weekly on Sunday.
HOSTED BY
Peter Doobinin
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sunday Dharma Talk have?
Sunday Dharma Talk currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sunday Dharma Talk about?
A dharma talk given by Peter Doobinin offered weekly on Sunday.
How often does Sunday Dharma Talk release new episodes?
Sunday Dharma Talk has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sunday Dharma Talk?
You can listen to Sunday Dharma Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sunday Dharma Talk?
Sunday Dharma Talk is created and hosted by Peter Doobinin.
URL copied to clipboard!