Interdependence Day, 2013

During this talk, Kitty explored the complexity of relationships that are inherent to reality and to human experience.  Since this talk occurred on the eve of American Independence Day, Kitty commented upon how dependent the colonists in rebellion were to the influence of France, Spain and the Netherlands during the American Revolution.  She pointed out how complex our food chain is, and how interrelated the transportation systems are, including the raw materials, manufacture and distribution of cars, highways and so on.  This complexity was related to the Buddhist concept of dependent origination in terms of how we experience life, and how our notion of isolation is a misperception, because we require human interactions from birth through life.  This was followed by discussion and dialogue.

[s3mm type=”audio” files=”wp-content/uploads/2013/07/11130452/Interdependence-Day-2013.mp3″ /]

Play

Being An American Buddhist

Robert has been practicing his awakening process through involvement in Korean Zen and American Vipassana (Theravada) for the last ten years.  He recently attended a one-day sitting practice with a Soto Zen master.  During this talk, he describes the benefit he’s gotten from the rigor and ritual of Zen, combined with the specific instructions and extended sitting periods of Vipassana.

[s3mm type=”audio” files=”wp-content/uploads/2013/06/11130501/Being An American Buddhist.mp3″ /]

Play

Wisdom In The 21st Century

Continuing with the theme of relating the teachings that can be understood and applied in our current era, Peter noted that current psychological research on characteristics of wisdom relate easily to the classical Buddhist doctrines of Wholesome Understanding and Wholesome Intentions (which he terms Clear Awareness and Benevolent Intention).

[s3mm type=”audio” files=”wp-content/uploads/2013/06/11130457/Wisdom In The 21st Century.mp3″ /]

Play

The Middle Way In The 21st Century

Continuing the theme developed during Peter’s talks this year, we explored the value of thinking of and applying ways to alleviate suffering using the Four Noble Truths.  While beginning the discussions of the Noble Eightfold Path, we spent one night on the Middle Way, emphasizing that our experience of life in this era is significantly different and more complex than during the era when Buddhism was developed.

[s3mm type=”audio” files=”wp-content/uploads/2013/06/11130459/The Middle Way In The 21st Century.mp3″ /]

Play

2013 Weekend Retreat Report

It is customary for those who’ve participated in a retreat to have the opportunity to talk about their experiences, in order to integrate the retreat into their daily life, and to inspire others to also deepen their practice by going on retreat.  This is the report from this year’s event at the Franciscan Center, on the Halifax River in Tampa.

[s3mm type=”audio” files=”wp-content/uploads/2013/06/11130504/2013 Weekend Retreat Report.mp3″ /]

Play