07/19/2018 “Investigation in Insight Practice – Part III” with Dennis Warren

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The third in a talk series examining the purpose and nature of “Investigation” leading to Liberating Insight in meditation practice. If you have the time, you may want to visit the two prior talks on June 21 and May 24.
In this talk we explore two handout charts as the jumping off point for the presentation and discussion. The first handout details the actual development stages in the process of Investigation. The second handout depicts the way that Investigation is a source of resilience in practice and is internally renewing – it sustains and supports itself and every other part of practice.
The evening will include, among other things, a discussion of the distinguishing characteristics of both cognitive and intuitive Insight, a look at the unique quality of effort involved in the investigative process, and an examination of a number of obstacles to investigation producing Insight. See the third handout.

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07/12/2018 “What I Learned on Retreat” with Rich Howard

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06/28/2018 “Legend of Murderer Angulimala” with Diane Wilde

The Legend of Mass-Murderer Angulimala … and lessons about negative karma
The redemption of the mass murderer Angulimala, is memorialized in the Pali Canon in Majjhima Nikaya 86. Angulimala’s brutality and his ultimate liberation has long been an inspiring story to Buddhist practitioners. What is not known is the deeper meaning behind the legend and the various interpretations that have come down to us from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. While the acts committed by Angulimala caused unspeakable suffering for his victims and their families, a question which is often ignored is how did he contend with the karma resulting from all he had done? How was he able to “start over” with a legacy of murder and cruelty? In our own lives, how do we contend with the harm we have caused, both in regards to ourselves and others? How do we “clear” our own karma? How do we respond to others who have harmed us? We will look at this legend from a variety of vantage points and how the legend of Angulimala has many lessons to teach.

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06/21/2018 “Meaning and Practice of ‘Investigation’ part2” with Dennis Warren

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The principal purpose of Insight Practice is the creation of conditions that led to spontaneous, intuitive Insight that liberates the mind and heart from suffering. This occurs through “Investigation.”
This evening will be Part II in an exploration of the meaning of “Investigation” in the context of the Buddha’s teachings on the “Seven Factors of Awakening.”
It would be helpful to review the first 12 pages of the article on the Seven Factors by Piyadassi Thera at https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyadassi/wheel001.pdf .

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06/14/2018 “Commitment to Practice” with Rich Howard

Commitment to Practice: Hobby, Pastime, or Lifetime Aspiration?
We may come to the practice of meditative awareness as a curiosity or from an intense experience of suffering. We may practice continually from the first day or intermittently. As we progress, the role of practice in our lives may increase, shift or fall away completely. Just as we periodically look at why we practice, it is helpful once in a while to examine our level of commitment. Both are supported by the power of intention. On this evening, we will look at our level of commitment and the conditions that support or undermine our aspiration.

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06/07/2018 “Dependent Origination” with Tony Bernhard

The Buddha is said to have taught, “One who sees dependent origination sees the Dhamma; one who sees the Dhamma sees dependent origination.” What is this teaching that’s so central to Buddhist understanding and what does it mean for our practice? Join longtime friend of SIM Tony Bernhard for an exploration of this question.

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05/31/2018 “Starting Over AGAIN” with Diane Wilde

Starting Over AGAIN  –  No blame. No shame. Let’s start again.
Frequently, we need to remind ourselves about this practice; what we are doing and why are we doing it. It is so easy to slip into the stress and demands of everyday life, and put meditation and mindfulness WAY in the background… “When I have time.” By the time we get back to it, if we ever do, we may have lost our way. Where should we start, AGAIN? What do I need to do now? Am I failure as a Buddhist practitioner? Have my previous efforts been lost?
Tonight we will discuss the basics of this practice… the Three Trainings of virtuous behavior (sila), meditation or concentration (samadhi) and discernment or wisdom (panna), which make up the map that the Buddha encourages us to follow. Whether we follow a linear path or determine an area which needs more attention, we are practicing mindfulness and meditation and we are starting over again. The wonderful thing about the Dharma is when we focus on one aspect of the path, it automatically brings in the others. Tonight, let’s start again.

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05/24/2018 “Meaning and Practice of ‘Investigation’” with Dennis Warren

The Meaning and Practice of “Investigation” in Insight Practice – The principal purpose of Insight Practice is the creation of conditions that lead to spontaneous, intuitive Insight that liberates the mind and heart from suffering. This occurs through “Investigation.”
An exploration of the meaning of Investigation involves an examination and understanding of the most fundamental and radical viewpoints expressed in the teachings of the historical Buddha. Likewise, it involves how those viewpoints are operationalized into the Buddha’s instruction for practicing meditation and paying attention to our experience in everyday life.
Dennis’ talk explores these topics and the challenges they represent to evaluating our own individual meditation and daily life practices. The talk uses the Buddha’s teachings on the “Seven Factors of Awakening” as a jumping off point for discussion and exploration of this fascinating topic. It would be helpful to review the first 12 pages of the article by the same name by Piyadassi Thera which can be found at https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyadassi/wheel001.pdf.
This talk references the following handout:  Seven Factors Chart (.pdf)

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05/10/2018 “Reflections on Old Age, Sickness, and Death” with Rich Howard

It is said that the historical Buddha started his journey to awakening after being shaken by encountering the “heavenly messengers” old age, sickness and death. He recommended reflecting on these life experiences often. We will take this evening to reflect on and discuss our relationship to these messengers and how they might enliven our practice.

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04/26/2018 “Dependent Origination” with John Travis

Examining this core teaching of the historical Buddha. We’ll look, specifically, at how the past creates the present, and the present creates the future, in our daily lives. And we’ll focus on how a good hear, with clear thinking, creates a positive future.

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