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Recommendations for Practice in 2017 (Part 2)
The teachings of the historical Buddha are vast in number and seemingly complex in nature. But he also urged us not to rely on initial surface impressions; instead, to look underneath and behind our impressions to what is really present. When we apply these principles to the Buddha’s teachings, we discover an integrated system of methods and psychology that flow from a number of foundational elements.
This evening with SIM’s Founding Teacher Dennis Warren will build upon and expand the discussion we began on Thursday, January 5. That evening looked at a number of elements of practice to focus on in beginning 2017. It may be helpful to review Dennis’ (Part 1) talk on that evening.
The evening will include a number of special practice recommendations; examine why the inter-related nature of the Buddha’s teachings is so helpful in examining our own individual practices; and explore a number of potential risks or hazards on the path of practice.
To view the handout for this talk, click here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
Recommendations for Practice in 2017
The first Thursday evening session of the year will focus on the elements of practice and recommendations to consider in developing and refining your meditation and daily life practices in 2017. This will be an interesting, practical discussion, including resources to help you evaluate and further cultivate your practice knowledge, skill, and experience.
Come prepared with your questions about practice, and your practice, to supplement the presentation and discussion by SIM’s founding teacher, Dennis Warren. To view the handout for this talk, click here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
To listen to Part 2 of the series, click here.
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REFLECTION AT YEAR’S END: THE PARAMIS
For SIM’s last Thursday gathering, we will take time to reflect quietly together on the past year in terms of the Paramis, those qualities that lead to peace when cultivated and perfected. Rather than evaluating or judging, we will then use this reflection to assess our strengths and weaknesses as a way of setting intentions for our practice in the coming New Year. Join the SIM community one last evening in 2016 for a time of silence, sharing, reflection, and community.
To view the handout for this talk, listing the ten Paramis, click here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
Karma & Reincarnation from a Buddhist Perspective
Here’s the topic that so many Buddhists try to avoid – Karma & Reincarnation. Some claim – incorrectly – that the historical Buddha did not teach reincarnation. Others claim that you don’t need to know about these teachings or take them seriously to engage in conscious Buddhist practice. Others are just confused and want to avoid the whole topic. But this is an important topic, and one that needs to be thoughtfully and deeply considered if you take the Buddha’s teachings seriously.
What did the historical Buddha actually teach regarding karma & reincarnation? How do these teachings differ, if they do, from the teachings on the same subject by other major spiritual and religious traditions of the day? Why are the Buddha’s teachings on karma & reincarnation relevant to our daily spiritual lives today ?
This evening with SIM Founding Teacher, Dennis Warren, will explore these topics from both a short and long term perspective. As background for this evening, you may find it helpful to review Dennis’ November 17th presentation on “Change and Karma”.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here .
Here’s a copy of the poem that Dennis recited during this talk: A Stone I Died by Rumi
Better than, worse than, the same as…
The habit of fault-finding and comparison is part of a larger pattern of insecurity in which we always feel the need to judge ourselves in regards to other people. It is as though we need to convince ourselves that we are okay, which we can only do indirectly, in comparison to people who we feel are superior, are less okay or just like us.
The point is not to dwell on our own faults—or our own virtues, for that matter. It is to see ourselves and others in a clear and unbiased way. It is to see, but not to dwell on the seeing. The first step in this practice is awareness of what we are doing, actually seeing and experiencing the discontent of the comparing mind! We will discuss the judging mind and the Buddha’s advise on how to abandon it.
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Depends on What?: An Exploration of Causes and Conditions
You may have heard about the importance of “causes and conditions” but what does that mean to our practice in formal meditation and daily life? Can we learn to recognize how causes and conditions work in our lives experientially without making it into an intellectual analysis? What would it be like to know a peace that does not depend on outside circumstances?
Rich Howard will lead this evening exploring the practical application of the Buddhist understanding of conditionality. As a start, notice how the experience of finding a parking place near the Friends’ Meeting House affects your mood!
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SIM 2016 Residential Retreat with Dennis Warren, Diane Wilde, and Rich Howard.
** If you would like to download any of the following dharma talks, please right click on the talk’s link “talk x of y” and select “save as”.
“An integrated path of practice (1)” – talk 1 of 7 with Dennis Warren
“Metta” – talk 2 of 7 with Diane Wilde
“Compassion” – talk 3 of 7 with Rich Howard
“An integrated path of practice (2) Key elements” – talk 4 of 7 with Dennis Warren
“Sympathetic joy” – talk 5 of 7 with Diane Wilde
“Equanimity” – talk 6 of 7 with Rich Howard
“An integrated path of practice (3) Spiritual and Daily Life” – talk 7 of 7 with Dennis Warren
Thursday, September 8, 7-9 pm. Sitting and Dharma Talk with Tony Bernhard, Visiting Teacher. Directions to the Middle Path: the Buddha’s roadmap to the end of suffering…
This talk references a handout: click here
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