The greatest gift is the
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Dharma Talks given at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2009-11-06 The Mature Heart - the Integration of the Four Brahmaviharas 1:12:48
Donald Rothberg
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Preceded by a short chant by Rebekkah La Dyne, our yoga teacher for the retreat, we explore two main modes of transformation - one going into suffering, one involving beautiful states. We then focus on the latter, as expressed in the practice of the Brahmaviharas, the cultivation of lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity - examining their near and far enemies, and how the four interpret each other in the mature heart.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Cultivating Clear Seeing, Opening the Heart

2009-11-06 Experiencing the Unconditioned 59:39
Stephen Batchelor
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A reflection on the Buddha's understanding of his awakening as an engagement with the phenomenal world from a radically new perspective rather than the gaining of insight into a higher, absolute truth, no matter whether we call that "God", "Consciousness" or the "Unconditioned".
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2009-11-05 Buddha's Teaching on Cultivating the Mind 52:49
Sharda Rogell
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A useful talk to help us understand the play of creative and destructive thoughts that explores one discourse the Buddha gave on cultivating our mind. He shows how we can interrupt patterns of mind that lead to pain and encourage wholesome and positive states to arise.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2009-11-05 Wisdom 66:49
Donald Rothberg
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We examine how mindfulness is distinguished from, yet leads to wisdom. We explore wisdom especially through the life story of the Buddha, moving from comfort and and illusion to deep wisdom and compassion, and through his first teaching of the Four Noble Truths - the most basic expression of wisdom in the tradition.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Cultivating Clear Seeing, Opening the Heart

2009-11-05 The Middle Way 59:01
Stephen Batchelor
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A reflection on the Middle Way, i.e., the whole eightfold path, as avoiding two "dead ends." This is followed by further thoughts on the Four Noble Truths as tasks that culminate in the eightfold path itself.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2009-11-04 Four Great Efforts 63:34
Martine Batchelor
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Explaining the four great efforts in connection to practice and daily life including tools of awareness and the three characteristics.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2009-11-04 What the Buddha Really Taught: The Metta Sutta 54:51
Sylvia Boorstein
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monday and Wednesday Talks

2009-11-04 Awakening to Life 59:33
Stephen Batchelor
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A reflection on the metaphor of "awakening" as a process rather than a "state" of "enlightenment", which is followed by a reading of the Buddha's First Sermon (Turning the Wheel of Dhamma) in which he presents this awakening as being concerned with the living process of the Four Noble Truths.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

2009-11-03 The Secret Beauty of Hearts: Transformations Through Metta 62:34
Donald Rothberg
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Transformation in practice, whether in mindfulness or metta practice, occurs through repetition, patience, understanding and faith, in a sometimes mysterious way. Using poems and stories, we explore the nature of lovingkindness (metta) and the kinds of transformation that occur as we practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Cultivating Clear Seeing, Opening the Heart

2009-11-03 The Poisoned Arrow 60:43
Stephen Batchelor
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A reflection on the Buddha's parable of the "poisoned arrow" (Malunkyaputta Sutta M63). This key text illustrates how the Dhamma is therapeutic, pragmatic and not concerned with metaphysical questions, which the Buddha regards as irrelevant and refuses to comment upon. What he does comment upon is the Four Noble Truths. The talk concludes with a reflection on the Buddha's account of his awakening as an insight into conditioned arising.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat

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