I find teaching to be a very deep and powerful "no self" practice. When I connect with others during Dharma talks--in the intimacy of small groups, and while holding meditation practice interviews--I am continually reminded to know, and be, in a place of clarity, spaciousness and immediate presence. Being able to offer students such a place of connection is my greatest pleasure and inspiration, as well as the most appreciated challenge in my teaching practice.
For me, the real fruit of the teaching is seeing the beauty of a gradual, and sometimes sudden, unfolding of a heartmind into its true self; seeing the variety of ways a person's essential, creative energy of being flows into the world.
On one end of the teaching, I am excited and inspired by students who are deeply committed to long-term, intensive practice. On the other end (and of course they're connected), I find that working closely with people at the grass roots level--in a co-creative process of developing and sustaining Dharma practice, study and community opportunitiies on a day-to-day basis--is equally exciting and inspiring.
From the immediacy of presence flows a wisdom that naturally connects us to the way of things. This amazing gift of mindfulness provides us with a spaciousness where we can make appropriate, healthy and creative life choices. Rather than being caught up in our old, conditioned habits, mindfulness provides us with the gift of engagement at its best. This is the Gift of the Dharma that we offer to all beings.
Brief description of talk: We usually think of generosity as the practice of offering…but in its fullness it's really both offering and receiving. This Dharma talk deeply explores this 'fullness' of generosity.
In this talk we explore Equanimity as one of the Factors of Awakening; as one of the Brahma Viharas (Divine Abidings) and as one of the two Jhana Factors in the 4th Anapana Jhana.
Do you live your life from a conditioned idealized concept of perfection and endlessly strive to attain this…or from the other side of the coin
of habitual self-judgment? Offering another view of perfection in this brief reflection.
A brief exploration arising out of the Buddha's instructions:
"It is in this way that we must train ourselves, by liberation of the self through love. We will develop love. We will practice it. We will make it both a way and a basis, take our stand upon it, store it up and thoroughly set it going." Samutta Nikaya
This talk explores a few of the difficult or afflictive states of mind that arise in our human experience and some effective way to work with them through the powerful tools in our practice of concentration, mindfulness, metta and compassion.
Why do we bow? What or who are we bowing to? Author and naturalist Barry Lopez writes about these questions in a very essential way - directly from his own experience.
How ultimately and mindfully connected are you to these most basic and universal experiences...your body in its elemental nature. This talk includes a guided meditation to put you in touch with the direct experience of the body as earth, water, fire and air elements
