The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2022-08-23 Breathing In and Out in All Conditions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:11
Tempel Smith
At the beginning of breath awareness practice we can feel our attention is either with the breath or distracted. As we deepen out faith and dedication to mindfulness of breathing we learn to breath in and breath out in all conditions. The breath becomes a sanctuary to accompany us in all conditions.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

2022-08-22 Concentration and Insight (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 2:10:17
Tempel Smith
In the detailed description of the 16 steps of anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) the first 12 steps develop samadhi (concentration) as a basis for the last four steps (13-16) of insight practice. These are using in and out breathing to become sensitive to impermanence (anicca), and from impermanence to releasing the agitation (viraga) from trying to find security in a fluid and fluctuating world. The second to last step in relaxing into the completeness and thoroughness of endings (nirodha), as a support to the last step of fully letting go.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

2022-08-22 Tree of Enlightenment Meditation | Monday Night 24:53
Jack Kornfield
Let your body be present and also relaxed. As you let go, feel how the Earth completely supports you. Let the heart be soft to receive whatever arises with compassion. Begin to notice how the body is breathing itself, exchanging air with the leaves of the trees around you and with the breath of every other living being on Earth—we share this atmosphere.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2022-08-22 The Buddha's Last Teachings | Monday Night Talk 60:27
Jack Kornfield
This dharma talk centers around teachings from The Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta which is a story about the last year of the Buddha's life. This text has two main themes: 1. The Buddha wanted to leave his teachings as guidance for his followers to empower them. 2. The Buddha wanted to encourage his followers to foster wise relationships to one another in the spiritual community and to the world.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

2022-08-21 Wise View and the Cultivation of Wisdom 69:36
Gullu Singh
Spirit Rock Meditation Center BIPOC Voices - Series

2022-08-18 Balancing Practice with the Five Spiritual Faculties 58:49
Amana Brembry Johnson
The five spiritual powers are essential accompaniments that guide us into deepened realizations of liberation. Each faculty is an active power that is soverign in its own domain, but also pairs with another to effect balance. As a whole unit, the 5 faculties work together to strengthen our resolve, by establishing inner balance and harmony. In this way, they cultivate our capacity to see each moment clearly without the residue of external conditioning.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

2022-08-18 Guided Loving-Kindness and Compassion Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 59:59
Kristina Bare
Loving-kindness and compassion as support for deepening samadhi.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

2022-08-18 Mindfulness of Fear 57:19
Grace Fisher
Begins with a 30m meditation followed by a Dharma Talk
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Thursday Morning Women’s Group

2022-08-18 Orienting Towards Breath Concentration (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 57:37
Tempel Smith
After our initial work to begin meditation on in and out breathing we can further relax with total faith into immersion with breathing awareness. Some gentle supporting techniques of counting can be helpful, as well as welcoming an attitude of devotion and patience to support breathing as a sanctuary.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

2022-08-17 12 Steps of Breathing Concentration (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 63:50
Tempel Smith
When the Buddha taught detailed instructions for breath meditation he often used 16 steps from initial meditation to complete freedom. The first 12 steps on the common meditation guidelines to develop stable concentration and experience a mind temporarily free from inner turmoil.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Cultivating Concentration

Creative Commons License