Dhamma Talks

December 2024 Retreat Review

During this talk, Peter follows a tradition in this community to provide opportunities for those who have recently completed a significant retreat experience to "think out loud" about the retreat.  Much of what is experienced during a retreat is not fully integrated...

Thanks-Giving As A Contemplation

During this talk, which occurred on Thanksgiving Eve, Peter revises the holiday term Thanksgiving to emphasize the relationship between gratitude (thanks) and generosity (giving).  During a guided contemplation entitled "Contemplating Thanks-Giving", recorded prior to...

Contemplating Thanks-Giving

This guided meditation revises the holiday of Thanksgiving through focusing on the interaction between gratitude (thanks) and generosity (giving), with emphasis on recognizing the physical and emotional components of gratitude.  Participants are invited to reflect on...

Equanimity

During this talk, Lili reviews her research on the various ways that equanimity importantly factors into the process of Awakening. Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Equanimity notes

The Art And Science Of Meditation

During this talk, April reviews how the cultivation of mindfulness can be understood as an art form that creates a more beautiful self-experience.  This is supported by contemporary research regarding how the hemispheres of the brain interact and how meditation...

Understanding Dukkha

We live during stressful times, and the Buddhist concept of dukkha seems appropriate to review in this context.  During this talk, Peter describes three aspects of dukkha--the physical experience of dukkha, the uncertainty we are confronted with regarding unexpected...

Contemplating Dukkha

We live in trying times, and it may be useful to increase our ability to observe and effectively manage the levels of distress and confusion that are termed Dukkha from a Buddhist perspective.  The comments during the guided meditation provide ways to recognize and...