12/06/2018 “Knowing How to Ask the Right Question” with Diane Wilde

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The Buddha taught that how we frame our questions is equally, and usually, more important then the answer. In other words, the Buddha wasn’t content simply to provide answers to people’s questions. He also wanted to show them how unskillful questions can be recognized through testing, and how skillful questions—conducive to the end of suffering—can be framed and tested in their place. These skills are applicable to our meditation practice as well as in daily life. For example, we might begin to see when we or others are asking a question not for an answer, but to enhance a particular self-identity. If we do not know how to frame our questions skillfully, we can find ourselves mired in an untenable situation of our own making. As Voltaire noted, “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”

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11/15/2018 “Talking on the Toll-free Line” with Laura Rosenthal

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Wise speech – refraining from false speech, malicious or divisive speech, harsh speech and idle speech – is one of the “folds” of the eightfold path toward awakening. For may of us, talking on the phone with consumer service folks – an internet provider or bank, a government agency, or a host of others – can challenge our intention to speak kindly and wisely. What is this all about? And how can we use these frequent, ordinary interactions to hone our awareness and our ethical practice? Join Laura Rosenthal for a talk and group conversation on the topic “Talking on the Toll-free Line“.

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10/25/2018 “Dharma and Psychotherapy” with Matt Russell

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Can dharma practice heal psychological wounding? Or can psychotherapy help us grow in ways that may not possible with the dharma alone? This talk will look at dharma and psychotherapy as two separate but complementary practices in the service of liberation.

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10/11/2018 “A Practical Model For Evaluating Your Practice” with Dennis Warren

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We seldom talk about evaluating how we are practicing or what model might be used for doing an evaluation.
This evening is devoted to examining a practical, experiential and hands-on evaluation model that we can use to evaluate how we are practicing, regardless of the stage or sophistication of our practice. Talk handout links listed below:

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10/04/2018 “Conditions that give rise to Liberation” with Meg Gawler

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The Buddha’s Teaching on the Conditions that give rise to Liberation

There are two audio files. Here’s the dharma talk:

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And here’s a guided meditation “Mindfulness of Breathing: The Door to Freedom”:

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09/27/2018 “Openness Spaciousness and Trust” with John Travis

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09/20/2018 “Starting Over” with Rich Howard

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Senior Teacher Kamala Masters reminds us, “Starting over is the practice.” Reflecting on this simple instruction has many implications: self-compassion, patience, and an encouragement to gentle, persevering effort. We will explore the practice itself in a guided meditation to start the evening, then discuss the many lessons to be learned from this seemingly simple instruction. Bring your beginner’s mind!

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SIM 2018 Residential Retreat

From Effort to Ease

2018 Residential Retreat with John Travis.
If you would like to download any of the following dharma talks, please right click on the filename link and select “save as”.

Audio file 1 of 7: 20180908-travis.mp3

Audio file 2 of 7: 20180909-travis.mp3

Audio file 3 of 7: 20180910-travis.mp3

Audio file 4 of 7: 20180911-travis.mp3

Audio file 5 of 7: 20180912-travis.mp3

Audio file 6 of 7: 20180913am-travis.mp3 (Meditation with Sounds)

Audio file 7 of 7: 20180913pm-travis.mp3

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08/30/2018 “Impermanence” with Noliwe Alexander

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Is it possible to find ease and grace in a world full of change?
It is possible to trust the mind of non-clinging and so find our liberation within the world of impermanence. ~ Gil Fronsdal
We will explore this question of finding refuge in the truth of change in our uncertain and often turbulent times. While letting go of our fixed views and opening to the possibilities of freedom, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of living with clarity and ease in each moment.

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