The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2020-05-13 From the Ordinary Mind to the Buddha Mind 18: Transforming Reactivity 2 69:47
Donald Rothberg
We first review the main themes from last time: (1) the nature of reactivity, and dukkha as reactivity in the Buddha's teachings, (2) the nature of awakening and freedom as liberation from reactivity, and (3) four main ways to practice with reactivity. We then look more deeply, noticing that very commonly reactivity is mixed with insight, discernment, intelligence, or something important or valuable, as when I become reactive when someone doesn't keep an agreement, or at social injustice. We explore how to transform reactivity by separating out what is valuable from the reactivity, in a number of ways, so that we can keep the insight or intelligence, and use it as the basis for wise, compassionate action. We close the talk with Eve Decker singing, "Simple Truth," about skillful ways to work with reactive self-judgment, and then have a period of discussion, including questions.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2020-05-12 Dialectics of Practice - Opening and Protection (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 42:41
Matthew Brensilver
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Spring Insight: Dharma, Care and Community in Uncertain Times - Online

2020-05-09 Four Brahma Viharas Practice in Daily Life, Part 2 (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 25:14
Tempel Smith
To bring forward the highest heart quality of Equanimity we need to understand all four brahma viharas (heavenly dwellings: friendliness, compassion, celebration, and balance) and how the work together in beautiful harmony.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

2020-05-08 Supporting Equanimity Through the Four Noble Truths 38:25
bruni dávila
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

2020-05-08 Morning Instructions on Working with Thoughts (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 50:21
Sharda Rogell
A short dharma talk with a guided meditation on investigating mental activity: thoughts and images
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

2020-05-07 Balancing Our Heart with Equanimity (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 51:12
Sharda Rogell
Given during COVID -19, how to find balance within our heart and mind when emotions are strong.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

2020-05-07 Guided Equanimity Mindfulness of Emotions and Mental States (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 55:18
Tempel Smith
Guided meditation to bring mindful intimacy to our every changing emotions and mental states. This is the third foundation of mindfulness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

2020-05-06 From the Ordinary Mind to the Buddha Mind 17: Transforming Reactivity 1 68:42
Donald Rothberg
We begin with some remembering of our current context of crisis, and the possibility of having major learning and transformation come out of this time—personally, relationally, and collectively—rather than simply going back to the old “normal.” Then we continue to explore the different dimensions of awakening from our habits and conditioning, here looking at what may be the most central dimension—transforming dukkha (or “reactivity”—compulsively grasping after the pleasant, pushing away the unpleasant); the Buddha said once, “I teach dukkha and the end of dukkha.” We examine: (1) the nature of dukkha or reactivity, grounding in the core teachings of Dependent Origination and the Two Arrows; (2) the nature of non-reactivity, or freedom or liberation or responsiveness; and (3) how to practice to transform reactivity, identifying six ways of practicing, and focusing here on the first four.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

2020-05-06 Guided Equanimity Mindfulness of Pleasure, Pain, and Neutrality (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 58:02
Tempel Smith
Description: Guided meditation to bring mindful intimacy to pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral experiences in the body and other phenomena. This is the second foundation of mindfulness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

2020-05-05 Four Brahma Viharas Practice in Daily Life 41:05
Tempel Smith
To bring forward the highest heart quality of Equanimity we need to understand all four brahma viharas (heavenly dwellings: friendliness, compassion, celebration, and balance) and how the work together in beautiful harmony.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity Retreat - Online

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