The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2020-12-21 Metta Instructions #3 49:08
Tuere Sala
"May you be filled with lovingkindness . . .Offered to multiple beings, from an easy one to a difficult one and self. With chanting and Q&A in the last part.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Winter Solstice Insight Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2020-12-20 The Five Hindrances 59:42
Tuere Sala
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Winter Solstice Insight Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light

2020-12-19 Practicing at the Winter Solstice: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light 62:29
Donald Rothberg
After setting the context of the Winter Solstice, in terms of the earth and the history of many varied cultures which have had rituals and ceremonies at this time, we explore, through teachings, stories, and poems, five ways that we open to the dark: (1) We stop and become still, like the earth. (2) We learn to be more able to be skillfully with difficulties and challenges.. (3) We become more comfortable and skillful in conditions of not knowing, as we open to the unknown, the mystery, and shadow areas, both individual and collective. (4) We come to experience darkness as generative and fertile, creative and dynamic. (5) We come to experience darkness as luminous, as generating light, as opening us to the light.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Winter Solstice Insight Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light
Attached Files:
  • Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light by Donald Rothberg (PDF)

2020-12-16 To Press Our Hands to Each Other’s Hearts 1:37:43
Heidi Bourne
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2020-12-14 Rekindle and Renew | Monday Night talk 40:44
Jack Kornfield
Many of us discover we live partially in a dreamworld, cut off from our body and whole pieces of our life. Though we may sense our disconnection, we do not know exactly what is wrong. James Joyce captured this dilemma when he wrote of one character, “Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body.” Enlightenment must be lived here and now through this very body. In this body and mind we can discover the cause of suffering and the end of suffering. For awakening to be an opening into freedom in this very life, the body must be its ground.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-14 Meditation: Breath Love In Breath Love Out | Monday Night Talk 24:18
Jack Kornfield
Meditation is an invitation in this moment’s practice to turn our attention to our body, heart and mind. Begin to pay attention to this mysterious human incarnation. Feel how your body is breathing itself… you don’t have to do anything. Add metta or lovingkindness to each breath. With each breath in, fill your body and being with lovingkindness for yourself. With each breath out, sense you are sending love out to the world.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-14 Q and A: Rekindle and Renew | Monday Night talk 26:36
Jack Kornfield
Q and A from 12-14-2020 Monday Night Dharma Talk Rekindle and Renew
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-13 The Art and Practice of Forgiveness 4:23:24
Phillip Moffitt, Noliwe Alexander
The art of forgiveness begins with connecting to the heart. The practice involves learning skills such as metta, mindful acknowledgement, and compassion. Practicing these skills enables you to free yourself from painful identification with past events. This is a day to bring remorse or grief about past actions and move beyond feelings of guilt and shame. Likewise, if someone has wronged you, you will be guided toward holding them in accountability without closing your heart. Additionally, forgiveness practice will move you toward clarity and acceptance for the ways you have let yourself down. Practicing forgiveness allows you to move from a heavy, remorseful heart and a reactive mind to a heart that’s light but still feels regret, and a mind that is calm and clear. The day will be held with periods of guided silent sitting and walking meditation practice, instruction in the art and practice of forgiveness, and a forgiveness ceremony, with opportunities to ask questions to the instructors.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2020-12-10 Thursday Morning Women’s Group 1:31:24
Grace Fisher
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Thursday Morning Women’s Group

2020-12-09 Practicing with Views 3 1:11:29
Donald Rothberg
We review some of what we've covered in previous sessions, including the Buddha's teachings on views, the core of the problem being reactivity (grasping and pushing away) in relationship to views--not views themselves, and three ways of practicing with views. We then introduce one of the three forms of deeper inquiry into views mentioned, the approach of Nagjarjuna (c. 150-250 C.E.), the "second Buddha." Nagarjuna demonstrated a method of showing how any reactively-held views, including Buddhist views, leads to contradictions and absurdity.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
Attached Files:
  • Nagarjuna Slides Draft 3 by Donald Rothberg (PDF)

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