8/27/2026 “Mahā-Sīlava Jātaka (“Not One Drop of Blood”)” with Rich Howard

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The Jataka Tales are folksy stories of the past lives of the being who would become Siddhattha Gotama and eventually the historical Buddha. To become a Buddha, this being had to perfect the ten qualities known as “Paramis” (or “Perfections”), and each tale tells how one or more of the Paramis was developed in a particular past life, as an animal or human. The Mahā-Sīlava Jātaka is particularly rich in its inclusion of the Paramis, so we will listen to the story and reflect on which qualities are illustrated and how the story informs our understanding of them.

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8/20/2026 “Working with the Thinking Mind” with Walt Opie

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This will be a talk on how to work skillfully with thoughts while we are practicing insight meditation. The Buddha warned us about how mental proliferation (papanca in Pali) can be a formidable obstacle to progress on the path.

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8/13/2026 “The Practice of Delight” with JD Doyle

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We will explore the Buddhist teaching of Mudita: what it is, what it isn’t and how to cultivate it. In watering the seeds of delight and joy in our lives as part of our spiritual practice, we begin to recognize that happiness grows when it is shared.

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8/6/2026 “Here I Am: The Four Essential Parts of Presence…and of Life” with Seth Castleman

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7/30/2026 “Clear Comprehension, Everyday Mindfulness and the Brain” with Rick Maddock

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Clear comprehension (sampajañña in Pali) is an essential part of the mindfulness practices taught by the Buddha. It brings awareness to how our actions of body, speech and mind are always shaping the person we are becoming. Tonight’s talk will explore this practice and include a neuroscience perspective on becoming aware of our intentions and their suitability.

Clear comprehension_SIM073026Download

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7/23/2026 “Seeing Clearly, Holding Gently” with Diana Clark

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Sometimes clear seeing gets confused with criticism. This talk explores what becomes possible when honesty is joined with kindness.

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7/16/2026 “How Mindfulness Matures” with Tanya Wiser

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Mindfulness is often described as paying attention to the present moment. Yet throughout the early Buddhist teachings, the Buddha presents mindfulness and clear comprehension together. Over time, we begin to recognize how these two qualities work in partnership: mindfulness helps us know what is happening, while clear comprehension reveals what we might otherwise overlook.We’ll explore how this deepening understanding supports greater wisdom, responsiveness, and care in our daily lives.

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7/2/2026 “Mindful Non-Violence” with Seth Castleman

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6/25/2026 “Right” Effort in Meditation, Practice and Life” with Dennis Warren

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The importance of focusing our attention and investigation on Effort in meditation, practice and life is frequently overlooked or minimized. “Right Effort,” or “Right Energy,” is foundational to our understanding and development of all the core elements of Buddhist practice. It is essential to integrating practice into daily life and relationships. And the way we use Effort is a significant factor in whether the way we conduct our practice and lives is practical and pragmatic, or informed as “spiritual” or “dharmic” in nature. Join us this evening to explore these questions:


What is Right Effort? What makes it “Right?”
Is Right Effort different from Right “Energy?”
Why is Right Effort considered foundational?
What are specific, practical, useable examples of how to work with Right Effort in meditation?
Other aspects of practice? Daily life? Relationships?
What makes Right Effort a significant factor in informing practice and life as spiritual or dharmic?


Whether you’re just beginning your practice, or have been on the path for years, you’ll find something helpful in this evening investigation. We welcome you to join us either in person or via ZOOM. Dennis will be presenting in person. He encourages you to be there in person to meet with old as well as new friends, and enjoy an evening of community and exploring the Buddha’s teachings.

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6/18/2026 “Nibbāna: The Highest Happiness” with Grace Lee

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What is Nibbāna? What does it look like when someone is fully enlightened? What might it look and feel like when you are fully enlightened, and how might you practice for this highest of all happiness?

GRACE TALICE LEE is a queer, nonbinary, autistic, direct descendant of immigrants and refugees. Grace has loved the Dhamma for several lifetimes, but in this current birth they began meditation training in 2016, started teaching in 2025, and co-led their first residential retreat in 2026. She offers several books about Dhamma practice, including a travelogue about a 2-week pilgrimage to the Thai Forest Masters which is freely available for download at www.karunabv.org/books.

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