Dhamma Talks
Understanding Buddhist Faith
Buddhism presents a perspective from other religions regarding faith as a characteristic of a spiritually wholesome mind, emphasizing validation through direct experience rather than faith in an externalized Higher Power. This view places value on developing mental...
Contemplating Gratitude Thanksgiving 2021
Since we meet Wednesday evenings, one meeting each year occurs on Thanksgiving Eve, so we dedicate that time to provide opportunities for those participating to reflect on how Buddhist concepts and practices support the cultivation of gratitude, which I believe is...
Reviewing the Progressions of Insight
This talk provides conceptual understanding of an important aspect of Theravada Buddhism derived from the Visuddhimagga, an ancient and extensive treatise on vipassana and the process of Awakening. The Progressions of Insight are stages of insight awareness that can...
From the 8-Fold Path to the 10-Fold Path Review
This talk reviews the final stanzas of the Satipatthana Sutta, which focuses on how the development of the four foundations of mindfulness fulfills the potential of the Four Noble Truths for total liberation from distress and confusion. The commentaries describe how...
Review of the Seven Awakening Factors
This talk is part of an extensive investigation of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, and provides a review of how undeveloped characteristics of the Seven Awakening Factors within the Fourth Foundation can be identified while meditating, accompanied by a...
Contemplating The Seven Awakening Factors
This guided meditation is intended to provide suggestions for recognizing the characteristics of the undeveloped seven Awakening Factors as they can be identified during daily meditation experience. it is also intended to complement the Dharma talk of November 3,...
Deerhaven 2021Retreat Review
It is customary during the meeting following a significant retreat experience to provide an opportunity for those who attended the retreat to have a chance to "think out loud" about the experience. Going to a one-week or longer residential retreat ha the same effect...
Review Of The Six Wholesome Resultant Cetasikas
This review focuses on how the Wholesome Mind Conditioners activities produce qualities that reflect 6 ethical, relational and Wisdom components supporting the process of Awakening: Abstaining from Unwholesome Speech, Abstaining from Unwholesome Actions, Abstaining...
Reviewing Contingent Provisional Emergence
This talk provides a thorough review of the core Buddhist concept Paticca Samuppada, typically translated as Dependent Origination. A different rendering of the concept is provided, including reference to a contemporary concept, complexity theory which led to the...
Guided Investigation of Feelings Meditation
This meditation is intended to focus attention on the impermanence of feelings, either related to physical sensations or mental phenomena. Cultivating skillfulness in this practice facilitates the ability to realize the benefits suggested in the concept of paticca...
