*Sit & Dharma Talk – Dennis Warren – The Five Aggregates: Part 2

The Arising Of Wisdom Through Engaging “The Five Aggregates” – Part 2

Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren.

Wisdom (Insight), from a Buddhist perspective, arises from “hearing” (listening to the Dharma), study and reflection capped by non-conceptual direct experience. This formula involves intentionally focusing the mind and attention on a number of different experiences, supported by the underlying psychology outlined by the historical Buddha.
This will be the second in a series of interlocking talks about the arising of Wisdom (Insight). The first talk focused on the dilemma of suffering thru clinging (becoming attached) to, then identifying with five separate, but tightly related features of human experience – form, feeling, perception, volitional or mental formations (deeply embedded habits of mind) and consciousness. It will be helpful to review the first talk in this series https://sactoinsight.org/06292017-engaging-the-five-aggregates-with-dennis-warren/.

For those who are using the book In The Buddha’s Words – An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Cannon, edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi as a reference, please read the following: VII. The Path To Liberation – Introduction, pages 301-309, and the sutta at pages 335 to 337.

In the alternative, follow these links to see Samyutta Nikaya 22, The Connected Discourses on the Aggregates, 56 (on https://suttacentral.net/):

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Rich Howard – Approaching the Dhamma

In the Buddha’s Words:  Approaching the Dhamma

“It is fitting for you to be perplexed, O Kalamas.” These words spoken by the Buddha to the citizens of Kesaputta ring true for us today. How do we approach the teachings of the Buddha, when there are so many competing spiritual, philosophical, and secular teachings, so many schools of Buddhism, and so many interpretations and teachers even within our own Insight (vipassana) tradition?

Dennis, Diane, and Rich have chosen a book called “In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon” edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications, 2005) as the theme for presentations at SIM through the end of this year. This evening, we will explore Chapter III, Approaching the Dhamma. As a starting point, Rich will lead a discussion of the Buddha’s teaching to the Kalamas (AN 3:65), including Bhikkhu Bodhi’s point of view on the message of this sutta.

To prepare for this evening, please read the first half of the Introduction to Chapter III (pages 81-85, first paragraph), and texts III,1 and III,2 (pages 88-91).  If you do not have the book yet, here are some alternative citations from accesstoinsight.org:

You’ll enjoy the talk even if you do not have the book or haven’t had time to read the suggested preparatory passages.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Diane Wilde – Becoming Authentic 2

Becoming Authentic – Part II – Sit & Dharma Talk – A three part series with Community Mentor Diane Wilde

To review Part I of the series, click here.

Bringing our authentic selves into the world.

Please read this short discourse from the Sutta Nipata* in preparation for the evening, Confession-and-Forgiveness.pdf.

This sutta describes the importance of confession and forgiveness… in other words, being vulnerable. Practice in this way moves us away from the confines of protecting the small self, to a more spacious, “authentic” way of being. After reading the sutta, consider what is your experience with what it describes?

We will discuss bringing authenticity into the world. Authenticity for this purpose means accepting those personality traits with which we navigate the world, in conjunction with the Buddha’s advise on how to create harmony and ease in our society.

*The Sutta Nipata is a Buddhist scripture, a sutta collection in the Khuddaka Nikaya, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. All its suttas, are thought to originate from before the Buddha’s death and consist largely of verse, though some also contain some prose. Some scholars — including Bhikkhu Bodhi — believe that it describes the oldest of all Buddhist practices. Bhikkhu Bodhi,’s book, “In the Buddha’s Words” will be our main course of study for the foreseeable future. This discourse is found in his recently published book “Social and Communal Harmony” and not in “The Buddha’s Words.”

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Dennis Warren – The Five Aggregates

THE ARISING OF WISDOM THROUGH ENGAGING “THE FIVE AGGREGATES”
A Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher  Dennis Warren.

Wisdom (Insight), from a Buddhist perspective, arises from “hearing” (listening to the Dharma), study and reflection capped by non-conceptual direct experience. This formula involves intentionally focusing the mind and attention on a number of different experiences, supported by the underlying psychology outlined by the historical Buddha.

This will be the first in a series of interlocking talks about the arising of Wisdom (Insight). The first talk will focus on the dilemma of suffering thru clinging (becoming attached) to, then identifying with five separate, but tightly related features of human experience – form, feeling, perception, volitional or mental formations (deeply embedded habits of mind) and consciousness.

The notion of “The Five Aggregates” is a fundamental aspect of Buddhist practice which can easily seem like theory or philosophy – but it is anything but conceptual thinking. During this evening, we’ll explore how this aspect of practice can become a real and tangible gateway into understanding attachment, identification and suffering.

For those who are using the book In The Buddha’s Words – An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Cannon, edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi as a reference, please read the following: VII. The Path To Liberation – Introduction, pages 301-309, and the sutta at pages 335 to 337.

In the alternative, follow these links to see Samyutta Nikaya 22, The Connected Discourses on the Aggregates, 56 (on https://suttacentral.net/):

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*Day-long Retreat with Visiting Teacher, Heather Sundberg

Befriending Impermanence and Uncertainty

How do I stay grounded and open hearted in the midst of change and turmoil?
How do I drink deeply of the Refuge of Impermanence?
How can I further develop Non-Reactivity & Balance so I have more Clarity & Energy to Manifest an Appropriate Response?

‘Mei Neh’, as it’s said in the Thai, “It’s uncertain.”  In this experiential daylong, supported by community, we will deeply explore the terrain of the world of changing conditions.  Through learning to recognize and release fear & reactivity in the body & mind, we open to the spontaneous authenticity of fully living a life within uncertainty.

  • Body Practices to settle the nervous system to decrease reactivity
  • Heart Practices to work with fear, which allows us open to & embrace change
  • Exploring Insights into Impermanence as a Refuge & a Joy!

Enjoy a day of quiet sitting and walking meditation, which allow our body & mind to settle down and our hearts to open to an inner wisdom. In addition to insight meditation practice, Heather will offer teachings & guided meditations on the theme, as well as optional Qi Gong practice & plenty of discussion about how to live these teachings in our daily lives.

Heather Sundberg began teaching meditation
in 1999. She has completed the four-year Spirit Rock/ Insight Meditation Society Teacher Training. Beginning her own meditation practice in her late teens, for twenty years Heather has studied with senior teachers in the Insight Meditation and Tibetan traditions, and has sat 1-3 months of retreat a year for 20 years. She is a Teacher for Mountain Stream Meditation Center in the Sierra Foothills, and also teaches classes, daylongs and retreats nationally, especially at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. For more info, visit www.heathersundberg.com.

The teachings are offered by donation (dana), an invitation to practice generosity, and the teacher is entirely supported by the communities she serves.

Summary of Important Dates

  • 05/21/2017 – Registration opens.
  • 06/19/2017 – SIM prefers to receive your registration fee on or before this date.
  • 06/24/2017 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.

Questions for the Registrar?

Use the form below only if you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions. Expect a reply within 48 hours. If you are ready to register for the retreat, click here.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Laura Rosenthal – The Dharma of Poetry and the Poetry of Dharma

The Dharma of Poetry and the Poetry of Dharma  –  Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Member, Laura Rosenthal

Dharma practice and poetry have a natural resonance. Both affect us deeply through direct, “felt experience.” Both may use words in non-literal ways to point us to the intuitive crux of experience. Both invite us to tell the truth to ourselves and to others. In this conversation with long-term SIM participant Laura Rosenthal, we will discuss some of the ways in which dharma and poetry complement each other and we will read a few poems that bring us closer to the insights of practice. Laura’s choice of topic is inspired by her own love of reading and writing poetry and by a recent daylong on poetry and dharma offered by Buddhist teacher Phillip Moffitt at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Laura has participated in SIM since 2004. She graduated from Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP 4) in 2013 and from Spirit Rock’s Advanced Practitioners Program this spring. She continues to participate in Heather Sundberg’s Committed Students Program.

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Introduction to Meditation with SIM Community Mentor, Diane Wilde

This 45-minute course is suitable for beginners or anyone who would like a refresher. It is offered on the fourth Thursday of every month before the regular sitting and dharma talk. There is no fee.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Rich Howard – In the Buddha’s Words: Introducing SIM’s New Theme

In the Buddha’s Words:  Introducing Our New Theme

As our practice matures, we may be moved to explore the suttas (discourses of the Buddha) on our own, without interpretation from someone else. After all, our tradition emphasizes direct experience. Yet it may seem difficult to know where to start. There is some repetition, both within a sutta and in thematic material repeated in various suttas. Some translations may have archaic language. The suttas are not in chronological order. And it may be difficult to find a sutta to answer a particular question arising in our practice or daily life.

For over 10 years, practitioners, including many at SIM, have found access to the suttas using a book called “In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon” edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications, 2005). In addition to presenting suttas edited to be more readable, Bhikkhu Bodhi organizes the material by theme and offers an excellent introduction to each section.

Dennis, Diane, and Rich have chosen this book as the theme for at least the next 6 months of presentations at SIM. Join us this evening as we begin the exploration of this helpful, wide-ranging text.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Diane Wilde – Becoming Authentic

Becoming Authentic

Sit & Dharma Talk – A three part series with Community Mentor Diane Wilde

How often have we said to ourselves, “If I could only be ME!  If I didn’t have to play a social roll, pretend I am someone I am not, and could be authentic — my life would be so much easier!“ Too often we create endless identities which hide the authentic person we feel inside. 

Yet, we continue to conform, continue to hide the depths of our true feelings, and too frequently are unable to experience — both in ourselves as well as externally— the freedom of being “real.” 

In this three part series, we will look at what it really means to be authentic, both to ourselves and in the society which we live. We will discuss what authenticity means, and the steps — often challenging— that we need to take to allow ourselves to be truly seen, both internally and externally.  The first in this series will investigate what we mean by “becoming authentic”. The second in this series will address bringing authenticity into the world… especially at this time when it is so needed.  The third in this series will be a community conversation of our own experience with the topic.

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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Dennis Warren – Exploring Attachment and Its’ Consequences Part II

Exploring Attachment and Its’ Consequences – Part II

Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren

This evening with be the second in an exploration of the Buddhist element of Attachment and its consequences. In particular, we will look at the nature of “positive” attachment which is an important part of practice development; and how positive attachment, which begins as a healthy aspiration, can become problematic and counter-productive.

It would be helpful if you could revisit the first evening’s on-line audio exploration on this topic (click here) presented April 27 and found in SIM’s Audio Dharma posts. Come prepare with your questions about this topic.

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