Thanissara's most recent Dharma talks (Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Sacred Mountain Sangha) As the old myths of our civilization crumble, in their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primal, unprocessed forces rush in. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha, who also lived in a world burning with greed, hatred, and delusion. He didn’t always succeed. Yet he still stood before armies, spoke truth, and acted with compassion. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness.

(Sacred Mountain Sangha) As the old myths of our civilization crumble, in their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primal, unprocessed forces rush in. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha, who responded to a world burning from greed, hatred, and delusion with profound wisdom. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness.

(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center) We are living through a profound pivot point. The old myths of our civilization–endless growth, rugged individualism, and “us first” hierarchies are crumbling. In their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primitive forces rush in. The Buddha also lived in a world burning with greed, hatred, and delusion. He challenged the systems of his time, endured attempts on his life, negotiated peace between warring factions, and even stood before armies bent on destruction. In the Sakka-pañha Sutta, when asked why beings who wish for peace end up in rivalry and violence, he pointed to the root: the mind entangled in papañca, the web of proliferating stories that harden separation. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha. He didn’t always succeed. Even with his wisdom and compassion, he could not prevent the destruction of his own people. Yet he still stood before armies, still spoke truth, and still acted with courage. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness. Together we will explore how to bring the medicine of the Dharma into this moment of profound challenge, not as escape, but as a path of right action, refuge, and renewal.

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Big Bear Retreat Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Going beyond the constructs of the mind, trusting the heart, and upholding the Humane in Times of Destruction.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Undoing the engine of samsara through the four noble truths, the peaceful is ever timelessly present - a bow is a perfect approach to life because it allows us to pause and listen to another pulse - the pulse of the living Dharma.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Non-separative consciousness, beyond the walls of the mind, all is resident in one awareness, compassion as depth listening.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Suffusing the world with healing light

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Beyond the walls of the mind. Power of clear intention. The unique potential within humanity

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Ever present peace. Entering the stream of the Dharma. Essential potential within obstructions.

(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Recording of the mantra: https://app.box.com/s/9j75m0lh4h1exbexuz8nwkqejvvn3ymt

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) From separative consciousness to participatory beings within the sacred web of life rooted in Bodhicitta.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Finding a Balance Within Letting go and Engaging.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Reflections around Dukkha and its cause, the two fundamental roots, and the importance of contemplating change. Guest/dust simile and noticing that which never changes.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Balance and the cultivation of a contemplative mind supported by Jhana factors.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Steps on Anapanasati: Mindfulness of Breath

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Anapanasati Sutta, generating wellbeing, subtle energetic healing, ground of insight.

(Barre Center for Buddhist Studies)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Kuan Yin Compassion Ceremony

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The mutability of karma. An act of beauty in a war zone. Moments of connection with wildlife. Compassion meditation for ancestors, those in our near relational field, future generations, and all beings.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The danger and opportunity in the dying of an old world. The curriculum of decolonizing internally & externally. The reclamation of an ensouled world. Dharma practice as essential for navigating the shifts of consciousness needed for radical re-orientation within a moment of evolutionary potential.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Moving from goal to source. This is how it is now. Contemplation within the frame of the 4 Noble Truths.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The gift of the 4 Noble Truths in meeting the challenge of these times. A transmission of courage from Ajahn Chah. The profound impact of the Buddha's engagement with the world.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)