Dhamma Talks
Fifth Night: Awakening Factors
During this second discussion of the seven awakening factors, more emphasis was placed on the integrative function of the factors and how this process transitions from personality integration to spiritual transcendence. As the "demons" of the hindrances are starved...
Fourth Night: Awakening Factors
During this extensive Dhamma talk, Peter described satibojjhanga, the seven awakening factors: mindfulness, investigation of phenomena, energy/effort, joy/enthusiastic engagement, tranquility, concentration and equanimity. Once the five hindrances have been set...
Third Night: How The Self Is Formed, Deformed And Reformed
During this rather extensive Dhamma talk, Peter reviewed the concept of paticca sammupada, usually translated as dependent origination. He explained why he prefers to name the process "contingent provisional emergence". This concept is key to the Buddhist...
Second Night: Five Hindrances
Pursuing the development of a more integrated personality prior to spiritual transcendence, Peter described sentient beings as "energy transformation" beings, emphasizing that the five hindrances (sense desire, aversion and ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and...
First Night: Precepts and Retreat Perspectives
During this first Dhamma talk of the one-week retreat, Robert reviewed the five Precepts: Avoiding hurting others, avoiding hurtful speech, avoiding dishonesty and theft, avoiding hurtful speech avoiding hurtful sexual behavior, and avoiding dulling the mind with...
Why We Go On Retreat
During this dialogue, various sangha members who have had retreat experience described why the intensive immersion in meditation practice that occurs on retreat is valuable for nurturing personal satisfaction and spiritual advancement. [s3mm type="audio"...
The Third Turning Of The Wheel
During this dialogue, Robert described the developmental arc of Buddhism from the primary cultivation of ethical balance and transcendental insight through the realization of the absence of a separate self, finalized in the manifestation of compassion in the Mahayana...
Living With Uncertainty
During this talk, Kitty explored how Buddhist practices help us relate to the inevitable uncertainty of life, sharing some of her experiences working with Hospice. She used material from Pema Chodron's book "Comfortable With Uncertainty" as reference. She also...
Stress Is To Be Understood
Peter began a dialogue that is expected to last several months on the Four Noble Truths as we understand them in the context of 21st century neuroscience and psychology. He described the First Noble Truth as stress, and how stress manifests in our mind/body process. ...
Life With The Buddha’s Teachings
During this dialogue, Tommy reflected back over the last two dhamma dialogue topics, relating them specifically to his practice of realizing them in his daily life. He shared his appreciation for how the teachings supported him during a recent family medical crisis,...
