The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2022-12-21 Talk: Practicing with Views and Beliefs 2 64:27
Donald Rothberg
We begin with an acknowledgment of the Winter Solstice, and the importance, in a time that is often very busy, of slowing down, like the earth in the Northern Hemisphere, of being relatively still and opening to the generative dimensions of darkness. We then review the main elements of what we explored last week, pointing to the main aspects of the Buddha's teaching on "views" (including belief, positions, etc.), explored through four core texts, and three ways of practicing with views. We then bring some further ways of practicing with views. One is opened up by working with the model, from Chris Argyris, of the "Ladder of Inference," in noticing tendencies to go from direct experience to generalizations (obviously very useful at times), and how sometimes reactivity drives us "up the Ladder" to generalizations. A second is in working with relatively unconscious or half-conscious views, whether about oneself, others, or the nature of things. We close with discussion, intentions, and the dedication of merit.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2022-12-20 The Path of Wholeness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:45
Nico Hase
personal stories and reflections on practice as a path of wholeness
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2022-12-20 Mindfulness of Thoughts and Emotions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 59:58
Devon Hase
Short talk and guided meditation, including RAINN
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2022-12-19 Fear and Courage on the Path 46:10
Devon Hase
Reflections on working with difficult emotions, including fear. Stories and poems too!
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2022-12-19 Breath of the Earth Meditation | Monday Night 21:57
Jack Kornfield
Welcoming listeners into the gentle whisper of the breath, Jack helps us into a presence and ease beyond our anxieties, worries, and to-do lists. From this place of deep relaxation, he invites us into an easy-come, easy-go mentality with our thoughts and emotions. "Your breath is the Earth breathing herself through you." – Jack Kornfield For more teachings like this, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. This meditation was originally livestreamed by Spirit Rock on 12/19/22.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2022-12-19 Afternoon sit with Instruction 46:28
Carol Cano
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2022-12-18 Nivaranas Dharmette (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 47:37
Devon Hase
Short talk and guided meditation on working with the hindrances (nivaranas)
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2022-12-14 Where Does It Hurt? Evening Dharma Talk (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 52:58
Noliwe Alexander
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Earth, Awareness, and Being

2022-12-14 Shantidava for Queer People 44:37
Daigan Gaither
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Spirit Rock - Rainbow Sangha

2022-12-14 Talk: Practicing with Views and Beliefs 1 67:26
Donald Rothberg
Practicing with views, beliefs, opinions, and narratives is a central part of our practice (in relationship to ourselves, to others, and in the larger society and world) and was strongly emphasized in the teachings of the Buddha. In this talk, we explore how the Buddha taught on views, emphasizing four core teachings. We then inquire into what is particularly problematic in our relationship to views is the way that we potentially are reactive in relation to views--habitually grasping and pushing away with our views. We then suggest three foundational practices for working with views and beliefs. There is finally about a twenty-minute discussion period.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
Attached Files:
  • The Buddha on “Views: Four Texts by Donald Rothberg (PDF)

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