Viewing Posts in dharma
October 7, 2024 |
Audio only version is here.
Meditation begins at 16:15
Dear, wonderful Open Heart Project practitioners, May all beings discover their inherent sanity and decency. Although it may sound improbable, meditation is a direct conduit to such qualities. It introduces space between what we think and what we do, how we feel and the conclusions we draw about self and other. Truly, the world is in need of people who... READ MORE
September 29, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:14
Hello, I hope you and your loved ones are well. Before today’s 10-minute meditation, I share some thoughts about the first noble truth of Buddhism–that life is suffering (or unsatisfying). Thanks a lot, Buddha! Not exactly what I was hoping to hear. Nonetheless…there is power and even joy in abiding in reality. In your life. IRL (in real life). It’s... READ MORE
September 2, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 12:00
Dear wonderful Open Heart Project, It’s possible you thought, as did I, that meditation would help you feel…less. Less rage. Less sorrow. I’d have even settled for less crankiness. No such luck–I’m still a human being. I made this video for those of you who fear that anger or other so-called negative emotions mean you are not a spiritual person.... READ MORE
August 26, 2024 |
This morning while I was meditating, I pictured myself punching a particular Presidential candidate in the face. I wished he was dead. I found myself hoping that someone would kill him. While I was meditating, y’all. As lame as I may be as a meditator and a Buddhist, I recognized that this was the wrong way to go. Even though... READ MORE
August 19, 2024 |
In the Buddhist view, there are three ways to practice the dharma. (Determining the way that is right for you is a matter of karma and inspiration.) The first way is the path of monasticism. This is fairly straightforward in terms of understanding what is meant. You renounce this world and the things of this world—money, sex, buying a house,... READ MORE
August 5, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 21:17
Hello, First off, I want to say that if you are struggling with grief or depression, you may not want to listen to this because I cry and talk about my own sorrows. In this video, I share about my loss of a beloved household member, our cat, Sly. I didn’t know if I could talk about it because I... READ MORE
July 29, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation begins at 23:38
Hello and many thanks for the kind responses to our recent series on the 8-fold path. I’m so glad we can contemplate these profound teachings together. If you missed the series, no worries! It will rerun at some point. In the meantime, I’m just back from teaching a retreat on the Heart Sutra in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. (The text... READ MORE
July 22, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 13:58
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Today we move on to the final step, Right Concentration, which has more to do with letting go than trying harder.... READ MORE
July 15, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 15:21
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Today we move on to the seventh step, Right Mindfulness. Interestingly, here, mindfulness has more to do with relaxation than anything else. Thoughts?... READ MORE
July 8, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 4:38
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right View and Right Intention comprise true wisdom. Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood describe how to live an ethical life. Now we turn... READ MORE
July 1, 2024 |
Audio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 21:07
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Today we move on to the fifth step: Right Livelihood. How can we turn work, money, and the effort to express ourselves into a part of the spiritual... READ MORE
June 24, 2024 |
Audio only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 15:34
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on the noble eightfold path. Today we continue our conversation with step number four: Right Action To view previous talks: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Please have a listen to this short talk to learn more about what actions we can take (and... READ MORE
