Retreat Dharma Talks
at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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| Regular weekly talks given at the lower Spirit Rock meditation hall |
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2007-05-23
Attending To Beauty
58:34
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Donald Rothberg
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Beth Gendler, author of Notes On The Need For Beauty, reflects in dialogue with Donald Rothberg and the Sanga, on the nature of beauty, “cleansing the doors of perception, and the place of beauty in transformative practice.”
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2007-05-30
Inquiry And Investigation - part 1
59:16
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Donald Rothberg
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Because we live in such a mental culture, we sometimes interpret meditation as getting rid of all thinking. But inquiry and investigation, often aided by language are crucial to Buddhist practice. We look at three practical methods of inquiry, using (1) mindfulness (2) deep listening, and (3) the lens of particular teachings.
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2007-06-06
Inquiry And Investigation - part 2
36:22
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Donald Rothberg
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In this second talk on inquiry, we review some of the material from last time, including the Kalama Sutta, inquiry as a factor of awakening, and the inquiry methods of (1) mindfulness, (2) deep listening and (3) working with teachings to help inquiry. Then we explore (4) radical questions and (5) deconstruction of fixed beliefs.
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2007-06-13
Inquiry And Investigation - part 3
43:33
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Donald Rothberg
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We continue exploring the nature and methods of inquiry, the freshness, openness, interest and energy it can bring to practice. We explore (1) mindfulness – based inquiry, (2) deep listening, (3) working with teachings (here particularly the Four Noble Truths and Precepts), (4) radical questions and (5) deconstructing fixed beliefs, with more time on numbers 3 – 5.
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2007-06-20
Summer Solstice And The Factors Of Enlightenment - part 1
50:21
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Donald Rothberg
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The qualities of the summer solstice: stillness (between days with more or less light), light and clarity, openness and space, warmth, and abundant energy, parallel in many ways the factors of enlightenment in the teachings of the Buddha. We explore these qualities through teachings, poetry and suggestions of practice.
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2007-06-25
Interdependence Day
57:58
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Jack Kornfield
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The 4th of July celebration of American Independence met with the Buddhist teaching of interdependence brings a deeper understanding of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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2007-06-27
The Seven Factors Of Awakening
50:39
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Donald Rothberg
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We explore in general the Seven Factors as a guide to our practice and as an experience of awakened being and presence. We examine each of the seven: mindfulness, investigation, effort, rapture or joy, stillness, concentration and equanimity, with suggestions of what to do to cultivate each quality.
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