08/23/2018 “Abiding Independent” with Rich Howard

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The Satipattahana Sutta (the Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness) is at the center of our practice of meditation in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition. The refrain of the Sutta includes this phrase: the practictioner “abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world.” Other suttas use “knowledge independent of others” as a sign of a mature practice and of right view. Yet we understand from the teaching on dependent origination that all phenomena are dependent on causes and conditions, that “no thing” exists on its own. This evening we will explore the idea of “abiding independent” as an inspiration for practice and study of the dhamma.

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08/16/2018 “Taking Refuge … in the sangha” with Diane Wilde

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As Buddhist practitioners, we take refuge in the Buddha (and our own potential for Buddhahood), the Dharma (how life unfolds) and the sangha, (a supportive community of practitioners.) On this evening we take a closer look at sangha.
There are activities going on “behind the scenes” at SIM that you most likely don’t know about, as well as other supportive programs which will be offered in the future. We will also discuss what YOU would like to see offered at YOUR sangha.
Cookies and other treats were featured during the break.

The entire talk was very interesting and because it relates to our Sangha, we have also posted this talk to the SIM “News” blog. Some highlights of Sangha members who contributed to the discussion are summarized below noting the audio time marker, name, and discussion topic. This is not a comprehensive list. Listen to the entire talk so you won’t miss out on anything of interest to you.

  • 10:28 Margaret (house on fire)
  • 20:22 Robin (dharma hikers)
  • 31:13 Tom (Friday morning sits)
  • 31:44 Teri (book club)
  • 38:43 Jith (Family Sangha) 
  • 45:12 Sara/Bob (building landscaping)
  • 47:31 Mary (St. John’s Shelter)
  • 49:42 Barb (Alter design)
  • 51:12 Michael (Alter design)
  • 57:52 Jim (Climate Sanhga)
  • 1:00:39 Rich (Wednesday morning sits)
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08/09/2018 “Present Moment” with Diane Wilde

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What’s so great about the present moment anyway?
“Be mindful.” “Stay in the present.” “Bare attention.” We’ve all heard one of these phrases. And if you’re more experienced in insight practice, these may be the watchwords that chime in the back of consciousness from morning till night, reminding you that everything genuine in the spiritual path is to be found in the now. So, if this is such an important practice, why is it so hard to stay present and what’s so great about it anyhow? We’ll discuss the reasons for staying present according to Buddhist teachings, and offer some practical techniques for staying present that you will find helpful.

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08/02/2018 “Introduction to MBSR” with Matt Russell

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This is an introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in anticipation of the 8-week MBSR course which will be offered at SIM starting September 2018. Designed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, MBSR is an integrative and scientifically validated approach that combines mindfulness practices with group processing and psycho-education around stress. MBSR helps participants mobilize their inner resources to alleviate suffering associated with chronic pain and illness, as well as conditions such as anxiety, depression, headaches, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems and the stresses of everyday life. This work was featured in Bill Moyers’ television special, “Healing and the Mind” in a dated but still compelling piece.

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07/28/2018 “Seeing With The Eyes of Kwan Yin” with Lori Wong

Daylong Retreat with Lori Wong; Seven audio files:

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If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.

If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.

If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.

If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.

If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.

If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.

In this daylong, we will explore blind spots: how to know what we don’t know, see what we don’t see — in the framework of suffering and compassion. We’ll look at personal and collective identity and privilege and their role in how we show up. The day will include meditation, experiential and interactive exercises, and reflection.

Poems/Readings/Quotes referenced:

  • Humility as Nothing to Defend — Jeff Foster
  • Heart Calling: a wake-up call for the real you — Courtney Carver
  • Turning to One Another — Margaret Wheatley
  • Somewhere someone needs help — Carrie Newcomer
  • “Shame is a loaded word for Westerners. Like most things, it can be seen in a positive or negative light. Negative shame is accompanied by guilt and self-denigration. It is pointless and doesn’t help us even slightly. Positive shame, on the other hand, is recognizing when we’ve harmed ourselves or anyone else and feeling sorry for having done so. It allows us to grow wiser from our mistakes. Eventually it dawns on us that we can regret causing harm without becoming weighed down by negative shame. Just seeing the hurt and heartbreak clearly motivates us to move on. By acknowledging what we did, cleanly and compassionately, we go forward.” — Pema Chödron
  • “I know it isn’t cruelty or shame that characterises the human race. It’s forgiveness that makes us what we are.  Without forgiveness, our species would’ve annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive.” — Gregory David Roberts

Videos Played:

Why Our Bias is Costing Us – Anurag Gupta

Brené Brown on Blame

Forgiveness (https://gratituderevealed.com/portfolio/forgiveness/)

Home by Warsan Shire (read by the poet)

How to Care Deeply Without Burning Out – Sharon Salzberg (https://www.mindful.org/care-deeply-without-burning-out/)

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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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