The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2025-04-04 The Liberating Power of Compassion (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 52:29
Jessica Morey
In this talk, we explore compassion as a liberating force—one that allows us to stay present with suffering so we can respond with wise action. Drawing on the myth of Avalokiteśvara, the science of empathy, and the felt experience of care, compassion becomes a courageous presence rooted in tenderness and connection. We also reflect on how a deep understanding of dukkha, paired with a direct knowing of freedom, strengthens our compassion and helps us see the wish for liberation as real and available—even in the most difficult places.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States

2025-04-04 Instructions on Metta for the Difficult Person (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:51
Cara Lai
Sensing into a field of support and care hat can hold it all, even the enemy.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States

2025-04-03 I am Listening Intently 53:34
Heidi Bourne
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Thursday Morning Women’s Group

2025-04-03 Receiving Care Meditation (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:39
Jessica Morey
This guided meditation is inspired by John Makransky's Field of Care meditation where we practice first receiving kindness and care from a benefactor or kind moment and then include others into that field of care.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States

2025-04-03 A Gentle Introduction to Metta Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:16
Oren Jay Sofer
In this guided meditation with instructions, we begin with connecting with the felt sense of metta, then explore offering phrases for a benefactor, mentor, or good friend.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States

2025-04-02 The Courage to Love (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 45:24
Oren Jay Sofer
In this talk from the first night of a weeklong silent retreat, Oren Jay Sofer explores mettā (lovingkindness) as both refuge and strength. Framing the Buddhist path as a practice of wise relationship, he offers several ways to cultivate mettā, inviting us to consider what it means to relate to life with warmth, steadiness, and care—even in a world of change and uncertainty.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States

2025-04-02 Small Acts of Generosity 23:26
JD Doyle
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Spirit Rock - Rainbow Sangha

2025-04-02 The Wisdom of the 4 Elements 33:39
JD Doyle
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Spirit Rock - Rainbow Sangha

2025-04-02 Gentle Mindfulness Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 42:14
Cara Lai
When we hear the words "be mindful," it often makes us think we have to intensify and be vigilant. But quite the opposite is true. This guided meditation is meant to help us find a softer, more receptive and sustainable way of being present.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States

2025-04-02 Reflections on Three Themes from a Four-Week Retreat: Listening Deeply, Developing Samadhi (Concentration) through Practicing the Jhanas, and Integrating Retreat Practice with Daily Life 65:04
Donald Rothberg
In the talk, Donald reflects on having just completed, four days before the talk, four weeks of practice at Spirit Rock. He particularly focuses on three themes from the retreat, exploring each theme in terms of both its retreat context and its daily life context. The first is the theme of listening deeply to one's own "intuition" and what "calls." The second is the theme of developing samadhi (usually translated as "concentration"--the unified mind and heart and body) and in particular practicing the eight jhanas as taught by the Buddha. The third is the theme of bringing the retreat learning and explorations into daily life, and how in particular to cultivate the first two themes in the daily life context. The talk is followed by discussion.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks

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