01/10/2019 “Cultivating Joy” with Meg Gawler

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

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And here’s a guided meditation:

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Buddhists on the path to liberation practice meditation to train the mind in mindfulness and samādhi. The Pāli word, samādhi, although often translated as ‘concentration,’ is better rendered into English as ‘unification.’ While concentration is an essential skill, the Buddhist practitioner cannot produce a state of samādhi through concentration alone. This is because the self needs to get out of the way. Rather, the Buddha teaches that samādhi arises naturally when the supporting conditions – all positive mind states – are in place. Joy is one of these positive mind states.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Rich Howard – Greed and Mindfulness of Death

Greed and Mindfulness of Death
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard

N O T E  – Due to technical difficulties, we couldn’t include this talk in our Audio Dharma library.

Rich recently started a short series on working with the three roots of suffering – greed, hatred, and delusion. We looked at one version of hatred, anger, in February and one of its antidotes, patience, in March. On this evening, we will look at greed (desire, lobha, sensual attachment) and one of its antidotes – mindfulness of death (maranasati).

The Buddha said, “Mindfulness of death—when developed and pursued—is of great fruit and great benefit.” (AN 6:20)
What are some of the benefits of looking at a subject that our culture often goes out of its way to avoid? What are some contemporary practices that we may use to work with desire beyond the practices recommended for monastics in India in 500 BCE? As with the previous two sessions in this series, there will be handout of resources.

Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.

Thursday Night Talk Dana
“Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha
We recognize that donating by cash or check at the time you attend this event may not always be convenient for you. If that’s the case, please use the form below to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and your donation will be shared with Rich Howard and SIM.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Diane Wilde – Communicating with the “Other”

Communicating with the “Other”
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Diane Wilde

Our polarized society has caused many of us to not only avoid speaking to those who don’t share our political, spiritual or cultural views, but to avoid them altogether. Social scientists state that the animosity towards the “other” is as extreme as it was in the 60s and 70s during the Vietnam war. And yet, it has never been as critical to speak about the perilous issues that effect everyone. Speaking to each other is a task we all must undertake because we now have no choice. Avoidance has been creating its own downward trajectory… the climate crisis worsens, and political polarity has resulted in societal paralysis.

Tonight we will discuss steps we might consider taking in communicating with the “other.” The Buddha offered advise in many suttas, and contemporary social scientists have weighed in on how to begin a conversation eliminating rigidly held dogma or self-righteous anger.

Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.

Thursday Night Talk Dana
“Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha
We recognize that donating by cash or check at the time you attend this event may not always be convenient for you. If that’s the case, please use the form below to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and your donation will be shared with Rev. Diane Wilde and SIM.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Rich Howard – Patience: Antidote and Perfection

Patience: Antidote and Perfection
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard

Building on SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard’s talk on anger last month, this evening’s presentation will explore the Buddhist view of patience. In his recent book “Perfecting Patience: Buddhist Techniques to Overcome Anger,” the Dalai Lama writes, “The only factor that can give refuge or protection from the destructive effects of anger and hatred is the practice of tolerance and patience.” So, first we will look at this function of patience as an antidote.

We will then look at patience as one of the Paramis, qualities we need to cultivate and develop to be truly free. The Historical Buddha called Patience the highest virtue, so we will look into this important but seldom appreciated mind state. This will also be a good opportunity to inquire into the linked practices of refraining from harmful activities and cultivating healthy ones.
Rich will be available for discussion at the community potluck preceding this presentation.

Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.

Thursday Night Talk Dana
“Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha
We recognize that donating by cash or check at the time you attend this event may not always be convenient for you. If that’s the case, please use the form below to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and your donation will be shared with Rich Howard and SIM.

[give_form id=”10304″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”]
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Family Sangha

Family Sangha meets monthly on the second Sunday. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or young friends with whom you’d love to share the path of kindness and mindfulness – please bring them and stay for the morning. This program includes a child-friendly introduction to mindfulness, art projects, snacks, and outdoor exploration and fun. The curriculum is inspired by Awakening Joy with Kids, by James Baraz.

Family Sangha is sponsored by the Sacramento Dharma Center.

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