09/07/23 “Liberation is Possible: The Upanisa Sutta” with Rich Howard

We often say that all things are the result of causes and conditions, and most teachings discuss how this leads to suffering when we try to hold on in the face of change. The foundational teaching of Dependent Origination is the best-known example. But causes and conditions can also lead to liberation. The lesser-known Discourse on Proximate Causes (Upanisa Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya 12.23) lays out a chain of causes that leads from suffering to the knowledge of liberation.
Understanding the steps in this chain of liberation can inform our practice and lead to happiness and peace. We will examine these steps and see how we might apply them to our practice.

This talk was not recorded however Rich Howard wanted to share the following two handouts.

Handout20230907-Liberation-is-PossibleDownload
Handout20230907-Dependent-Origination-APP-retreat-1Download
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08/31/23 “Mettagu’s Story” with Diana Clark

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08/26/23 “Mind and mirage – A neurodharma perspective on the five aggregates (skandhas)” with Rick Maddock

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This is a teaching and practice daylong that will include dharma talks alternating with sitting & walking meditation periods. Today’s theme will be the early Buddhist teachings on the aggregates and how they converge with the insights of modern neuroscience. There will be a particular focus on feeling (Vedanā), perception (Sañña), and intention (Saṅkhāra), and on ways of practicing with our experiences of these aggregates in meditation and in daily life.

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08/24/23 “How intentions shape our experience: Converging views from neuroscience and early Buddhism” with Rick Maddock

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Saṅkhāra is a word with many levels of meaning in early Buddhism. This talk will focus on its meaning as one of the five aggregates (skandhas), where it is often translated with such terms as volitions and intentions. People often strongly identify with their volitions and intentions. The Buddha taught about the dangers of clinging to and identifying with sankharas. The Foam Sutta describes sankhara with the analogy of a carpenter in need of heartwood who goes to a forest and cuts down a plantain tree. But when he cuts into the tree trunk, he finds it is only layers of sheaths. There is no heartwood there. The perspective of modern neuroscience leads to a similar understanding of volition and intentions.

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08/17/2023 “Revisiting Fundamentals: Resolve/Determination” with Dennis Warren

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Why do some people face serious challenges, then go on to persevere or thrive, while others collapse, give up or quit? Why does facing serious difficulties result in some becoming stronger and more resilient, while seeming to break others?
Revolve or Determination is considered a pivotal skill in Buddhism. It implements and facilitates Intention and Aspiration. That’s what make it a Parami, a special quality of mind essential to deepening and maturing our meditation practice, as well as living a full and satisfying life. It is an elemental tool in working with difficulty, challenge, confusion, and doubt.

Dennis encourages you to watch a two-minute video entitled “Movements as Your Teacher Not as Taskmaster” by Ido Portal in preparation for this Thursday evening. Substitute “practice methods” for the word “movement” as you listen to the session. Then reflect on what, if anything, this has to do with your own meditation practice and your life.

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08/10/2023 “Seeing Impermanence, Learning to Let Go” with Walt Opie

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We often hear the phrase to “just let it go,” but sometimes that can be frustrating advice. In this talk, we will explore the insights we are encouraged to investigate which can lead to a profound letting go as a result of ongoing insight meditation practice. It can also be very helpful on a less profound level in day-to-day life to understand the nature of constant change. In addition, Walt will reminisce about the recent loss of legendary Bay Area radio personality and beloved insight meditation teacher Wes “Scoop” Nisker, whose kindness, humor and humanness were very inspiring.

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07/27/2023 “How pleasant and unpleasant feelings (Vedanā) shape experience” with Rick Maddock

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How pleasant and unpleasant feelings (Vedanā) shape experience – Converging views from neuroscience and early Buddhism.
The five aggregates (skandhas) together encompass all aspects of experience. Vedanā is one of the aggregates and is often defined as the feeling tone of experience ranging along a continuum from pleasant, through neutral, to unpleasant. The Buddha attributed great importance to mindfulness and clear comprehension of Vedanā. It is the focus of the second establishment of mindfulness in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta. We will discuss the nature of Vedanā and its relationship with the other aggregates using language and perspectives from both early Buddhism and modern neuroscience.

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07/20/2023 “Truthfulness: Precept, Parami, and Profound” with Rich Howard

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A commitment to speaking the truth brings a sense of trust and safety to our relationships, and we reinforce this commitment when we take the fourth precept of refraining from harmful speech. Truthfulness (sacca in Pali) is also one of the Paramis, and it is said that this commitment to speak the truth was never broken by the Buddha on his way to awakening. As the same time, we are surrounded by a society which seems to thrive on untruthful, deceptive, or exaggerated communication. On this evening, we will look at various aspects of Truth in the Buddhist teachings, up to the profound Four Noble Truths, and explore how we can incorporate a commitment to truthfulness in our daily lives.

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07/06/2023 “Questions and Answers” with Dennis Warren

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This evening will be all questions and answers. During this session we’ll explore questions you’ve been wanting to ask about Buddhism, practice, different traditions, a situation you’re dealing with or the follow up to a previous talk by Dennis. The topics are open to what would be helpful for you.

You can send questions to Dennis in advance at dennis@sactoinsight.org; show up on Thursday with questions; or spontaneously respond to the discuss that unfolds that night. The subject matter of this evening will be appropriate for all stages of practice.

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06/22/2023 “The Clarifying & Healing Power of ‘Right’ View” with Dennis Warren

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“Right” View is considered the North Star of practice. It can guide the mind, and mobilizes our attention and effort, in nourishing, enriching and healing directions. It is the first condition in the chain of causation that leads to deep peace and satisfaction. But the Historical Buddha also insisted in multiple discourses that there is “Wrong” view. It points our mind and heart in a different direction – into confusion, dissatisfaction and suffering.
During this evening we will explore the meaning and differences between these two contrasting aspects of practice. Dennis, SIM’s Founding Teacher, will illustration the real-life value and power of Right View in the context of dealing with the aging and disability of a member of his family and his recent experience of being hospitalized after a major accident involving fractures to his back and ribs.
This subject is appropriate for all stages of practice. You can attend in person or by ZOOM. Dennis will be presenting in person and encourages you to be there in person as well.

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