Susie Harrington has been meditating since 1989, and been engaged in Insight meditation practice since 1995. She began teaching in 2005, with the guidance of Guy Armstrong, Jack Kornfield and more recently Joseph Goldstein. She often offers retreats in the natural world, believing nature to be the most profound dharma teacher, and a natural gateway to our true self. Her teaching is deeply grounded in the body and emphasizes embodiment of our practice in speech and daily life. For more information go to desertdharma.org.
Finding the balance of effort and letting go is the art of meditation practice. This applies both to times of ease in practice and in the greater challenges of meeting the hindrances. We have the opportunity to use every moment as a portal to wisdom and compassion.
With a stable and unified mind we can turn to impermanence. This turning into our observing change in our vipassana practice leads us to see not only the temporality of everything but the interconnected and impersonal Nature of experience.
The seven factors of awakening include the arousing factors and the settling ones. This talk goes into detail on using the factors of Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity in meditation practice.
In our nature practice we come in intimate contact with the truth of Interconnection interbeing, and the play of causes and conditions as they come together in this moment. This talk explores the challenges, the freedom and the responsibility of the vast unfolding that includes each of us and all beings.
Impermanence is the nature of things, in our practice we have the opportunity to see it and learn to dance with this fundamental aspect of our experience.
The five Spiritual Faculties of Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration, and Wisdom give us both a map for the natural unfolding of our practice and a guide for how to orient and encourage its development.
The path of practice has many challenges. How we meet those and turn toward them and learn form them is possibly the most important aspect of our practice. This talk looks at these challenges in the retreat setting and suggests ways of meeting them.
Dhammavicaya, the factor of discrimination, is one of the 7 factors. IT is a lens through which we can meet our experience, and cultivate understanding & insight.
The body is our home, our vehicle to freedom and our connection to the Great Mystery. This talk explores the skillful means and the opportunities of this foundational practice.
the Buddha taught that the recognition of arising and passion away (Anicca) is the doorway to freedom. In this talk, we explore impermanence and it’s relationship to dukkha. To let go ov our argument with the reality – with the way things are, to the nature of changing phenomena, opens up to the possibility of ease and freedom: “All things are impermanent/ They arise and they pass away./ To live in harmony with this truth/ Brings great happiness.”
Continuing the story of the Buddha's life through his awakening and his setting the wheel of the Dhamma in motion.
(Note: it is largely understood to have been a Brahma God, Sahampati, who asked the Buddha to teach--not a Brahmin as mentioned in the talk.)
The Buddha encountered MARA throughout his life. We too have many interactions and opportunities to see MARA and develop a friendly, knowing relationship.
The Buddha's life is an expression of the practice and the teachings and can offer inspiration and guidance on our journey.
Part I: Early Life and Practice of the Bodhisattva
Concentration is a skillful means that provides a foundation for understanding things as they really are (Yatha Bhuta). Through the direct experience of impermanence, freedom unfolds.
An exploration of the tender heart that is available to be touched and pleased by the world. Held in equanimity and balanced with compassion, natural joy and contentment shine through.
When difficult emotions arise in our practice, developing a skillful and willing relationship is an important part of the path. Emotions are the natural human response, and a natural and important part of the path.
