Momentum – the sense that the Dharma is taking hold and guiding us forward – is essential to our development as practitioners. It is key to experiencing confidence, satisfaction and genuine pleasure in meditation and life.

What are some of the factors that influence sustaining and cultivating Momentum? What are the factors the support expanding Momentum outside of our meditation practice and into our relationships and daily activities?

These questions will be the focus of the presentation and our discussion this evening.

The Historical Buddha’s teaching, psychology and practice methods are frequently referred to as a Path or The Path. Sometimes, they are presented as a vast inter-connected net that provides us with safety and stability. For many, however, the elements of practice sometimes feel more like a confusing puzzle or a basket of seemingly contradictory principles and recommendations.

How do the elements of practice fit together in a cohesive system of meditation and life practices that are relevant, useful, helpful?

This evening will explore some of the fundamental principles that help us to shift from uncertainty and confusion about practice, to an understanding of how the elements fit together and support each other. It will examine a model of doing this where core principles help us move from a sense of separation to one of connectedness and inter-relationship.

The form of Wisdom described as “Insight” is the decisive center piece of the Theravadan-Vipassana tradition in Buddhism. In the West, we refer to Vipassana meditation as “Insight Meditation” because it produces Insight – a spontaneous, sudden change in how we understand ourselves and the world based on direct experience. During this evening we’ll explore the nature of the Insight experience and the difference in Insight which cognitive and that based on direct experience. We’ll also consider its different types – Insight that arises, and is interpreted, thru the self or ego, and Insight which is “liberating” because it allows us to experience the world without the management, control and interference of the self or ego.

The subject matter of this evening will be appropriate for all stages of practice and will be helpful for those attending Dennis’ one day retreat / workshop on 5/25/24 entitled “When Life Changes.”

(Part 10 of 10 of a series on The Paramis)

The Historical Buddha considered Generosity the first and foundational parami (or essential quality of mind & heart that leads to awakening.) While the possibilities for giving and sharing are endless, we frequently not only miss the opportunity to be generous, but fail even to see the opportunities.

This evening will explore Generosity as a practice of spiritual development, rather than isolated and disconnected acts of giving or sharing. It will examine a model of doing this where Generosity serves as a mirror, a doorway and a path moving from a sense of separation to connectedness and inter-relationship. It will include discussion of the Historical Buddha’s advice that we should be generous in the way we think, and by thinking, create the world we live in.

The subject matter of this evening will be 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.

(Part 2 of 10 of a series on The Paramis)

Our minds tend to see the world as dualistic. Life – personal, relationship, financial, political choices – seems to be limited to two dimensional competing alternatives, an either/or proposition.

Unless we pause and step back from the drama of the moment, we lose touch with the nuance, beauty, and multi-dimensional nature of life, and life choices. We fail to see and experience the underlying reality that the world operates on a wide continuum of related and inter-dependent events, experiences, and choices.

We lose access to the most important, skillful, and healing life option – collaborating with life as it is, and collaborating with others as they are.

This Thursday evening will explore this field of experiences through common situations in meditation and everyday living.

The subject matter of this evening will be appropriate for all stages of practice.