Dharma Seed: dharma talks and meditation instruction

(Aloka Earth Room) Short Reflection & Guided Meditation including a poem by Rochelle Wallace | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Mornings

(Flagstaff Insight Meditation Community)

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This was part of a daylong retreat held at Karuna Buddhist Vihara. This afternoon segment included a guided meditation, Qigong instruction by Grace Lee and Q&A.

(Uncontrived)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Auckland Insight Meditation)

(Auckland Insight Meditation)

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center) When external conditions begin to fluctuate and spin at a fast pace, we need to know how to ground and stabilize ourselves internally. This is what the four foundations of mindfulness are pointing towards. Knowing how to establish mindfulness is an empowerment. It creates agency in oneself and allows us to move through challenging situations with strength and integrity.

(Aloka Earth Room) Short Reflection & Guided Meditation | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Mornings

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin by remembering the three core methods of training given by the Buddha (wisdom, meditation, and "ethics"), and their interrelationship. We reflect on how ethics has often been marginalized in Western Buddhism (and at times in Asian Buddhism). We then look in depth at the first lay ethical precept, non-harming, first in terms of the core teachings of the Buddha, and its centrality in the earlier Indian traditions of the Vedas. We examine some of the more "outer" dimensions of practicing non-harming, seeing how, with mindfulness and strong intentions, we can bring non-harming into our daily lives, including in our speech and communication. We then look at the more "inner" dimensions of practicing non-harming, looking in particular at how harming ourselves or others typically comes out of our own pain, so that practicing with pain (and the teaching of the Two Arrows) is central. The talk is followed by discussion.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this guided meditation, connected to the later talk on "Non-Harming," we begin with about 8 minutes of settling and becoming more present, developing more samadhi (concentration). Then there is a period of lovingkindness (metta) practice, including starting where the lovingkindness flows the easiest and then extending the lovingkindness to many other beings. This is followed by mindfulness practice, with guidance on exploring when there are negative or blaming views of self or another. Finally, we close with several reflection questions related to how there is harming of self and/or others at times in our lives.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) A warm day ahead, with a friendly attitude.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Using an easy being to cultivate Loving Kindness and then turning that caring heart to the difficulties of another and self.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) In this talk, Shaila Catherine explores right view and addresses the danger of attaching to a position, philosophy, belief, or opinion. Primary sources that inspired this talk include suttas numbered 72 and 74 the Middle Length discourses. By recognizing the problems created by clinging to beliefs and opinions, we choose instead to bring mindfulness to our direct experience and investigate what is actually happening in this present encounter with mind and body. This pragmatic path of mindful investigation leads to liberation.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The difference between the "concentration" of serenity and the concentration of insight. Developed in the frame of the four spheres of existence.