The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2007-10-25 #6 God & Buddhanature 57:15
Stephen Batchelor
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A study of the Buddha's understanding of God (Brahma) as found in texts of the Pali Canon. The Buddha was an ironic ATHEIST, who did not take a fanatic position against God. This is followed by a reflection on the idea of BUDDHANATURE, starting with its origins in the Pali Canon and seeing how it evolves in later Buddhist thought in ways that both complement and contradict the early tradition.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2007-10-25 Awakening Or Enlightenment: Sudden Or Gradual 44:49
Martine Batchelor
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Awakening as a process of degrasping instead of being the production of a state of enlightenment that cannot be eaten in salad. The suggestion that the path consists of sudden awakening followed by gradual practices
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2007-10-24 Life Is What Happens 59:43
Tony Bernhard
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Eight fold path as the practice for becoming free
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2007-10-24 Wisdom 56:52
Donald Rothberg
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How do we live and act wisely, whether in our meditation practice or in the rest of our lives? The core of our practice is to come back to wisdom moment-to-moment. The main teaching on wisdom that can guide us is the Four Noble Truths. We explore this teaching as a practical guide, requiring an understanding of causes and conditions. Yet wisdom ultimately must also be connected to to two further qualities to be whole - to compassion, and to courage.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Cultivating Clear Seeing, Opening the Heart

2007-10-24 #5 The Undeclared & The Declared 58:37
Stephen Batchelor
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A reflection on the nature of KAMMA in which the Buddha recognises that numerous conditions are responsible for our experience in this life. This is followed by an analysis of the ten UNDECLARED questions (is the world eternal, etc.) in terms of the Buddhist rejection of metaphysics in favour a pragmatic and therapeutic approach to living life in this world here and now.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2007-10-24 Breaking Free Of Habits 50:16
Martine Batchelor
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How can meditation help us break free of our mental, emotional, physical habits?
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2007-10-23 Metta And The Opening Of The Heart - How Metta Transforms Us 63:15
Donald Rothberg
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Metta is generally described and set in the context of the Brahmavihara - the divine abodes. A number of stories are told illustrating the quality of metta and four ways that metta transforms us are identified - (1) We learn to lead with our hearts; (2) We develop in concentration; (3) We purify our being; and (4) We connect more fully with others.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Cultivating Clear Seeing, Opening the Heart

2007-10-23 #4 Fully Knowing Dukkha 60:07
Stephen Batchelor
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An examination of the four ENNOBLING truths as a process of re9rienting one's perspective on life in a conditioned world. Fully knowing dukkha - in all its aspects - leads naturally to a falling away of craving, which culminates in moments of STOPPING, in which the path opens up, i.e., one enters the stream.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2007-10-22 Practicing With Sates Of Mind And Heart 58:24
Donald Rothberg
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After a framing of why we practice and how this intensive practice can inform our wider lives, and a short account of the qualities of mindfulness we explore how to practice in states of mind and heart. Using the model of RAIN (Recognition, Acceptance, Inquiry, Non-identification), we examine a number of ways to work with states of mind and heart, using as case studies, working with anger, judgment (harsh reactive judgment) and others.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Cultivating Clear Seeing, Opening the Heart

2007-10-22 #3 Turning The Wheel Of Dhamma 59:54
Stephen Batchelor
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A reflection on the COUNTER-INTUITIVE nature of the Buddha's teaching - how the Dhamma goes against deeply seated intuition, e.g., that there is something permanent in this impermanent world. This is followed by a reading of and reflection on the first discourse the Buddha gave, which outlines the middle way and the four ennobling truths. To be followed in talk #4 by a detailed reading of the four truths as four injunctions rather than four things to believe.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

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