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Dharma Talks
given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2020-12-19
Practicing at the Winter Solstice: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light
62:29
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Donald Rothberg
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| 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. |
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Winter Solstice Insight Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting
the Light
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Attached Files:
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Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light
by Donald Rothberg
(PDF)
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2020-12-13
The Art and Practice of Forgiveness
4:23:24
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Noliwe Alexander,
Phillip Moffitt
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| 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. |
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2020-12-09
Practicing with Views 3
1:11:29
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Donald Rothberg
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| 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. |
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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Attached Files:
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Nagarjuna Slides Draft 3
by Donald Rothberg
(PDF)
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