Tag Archive for: Dennis Warren

05/20/2017 “Attention & Mindful – An Exploration” Retreat with Dennis Warren

Day-long Retreat on the theme: Attention & Mindful – An Exploration

Mindfulness is sometimes described as non-judgmental “bare” attention. As helpful as this general description may be, it tends to cloud the fact that there is a significant difference between attention and mindfulness. They play separate and distinct roles in practice. And, most importantly, it gives no hint of the reality that attention and mindfulness are both purposeful in Buddhist practice. In a period of time when both of these terms are been uncoupled from their historical Buddhist meanings, what do they mean for each of us as 21st century, urban practitioners?

This will be a day of practice, reflection, experimentation and investigation:

  • What is the functional difference between attention and mindfulness?
  • What are we supposed to be paying attention to and being mindful of?
  • What does it mean that attention and mindfulness are purposeful in Buddhist practice?

What is the relationship between the answers to these questions and the underlying psychology of the historical Buddha?

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04/27/2017 “Exploring Attachment and Its Consequences” with Dennis Warren

Exploring Attachment and Its Consequences

All of us have some understanding of the Buddhist element of Attachment. This evening with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren will involve a practical and in-depth exploration of Attachment; its role in Buddhist psychology; its place in the Buddhist description of causation; the phenomenon of “positive” attachment; and Attachment’s consequences, both intentional and unanticipated.

Talk handout: Foundational Qualities of Mind (PDF)

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To listen to Part 2 of the series, click here.

 

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04/06/2017 “Forgetting and Remembering” with Dennis Warren

Forgetting and Remembering

The original definition of Mindfulness contains the element of “remembering.” What does this mean? And why is it important? What are we “forgetting?” What are we trying to “remember?” Does it mean remembering to engage in “moment-to-moment non-judgmental awareness”? As difficult as it is to maintain such a state of mind, is that it? Is that all? Or is there more? Or is there much more?
Understanding these questions, and their answers, in the context of the historical Buddha’s teachings, is important to practicing well and developing a progressively maturing practice. Reflect on these questions and come prepared with your questions to supplement the talk and discussion.

To view the handout for this talk, click here.

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03/09/2017 “Revisiting the Meaning, Benefits & Risks of Suffering” with Dennis Warren

Revisiting the Meaning, Benefits & Risks of Suffering

We talk so much about “suffering” in Buddhist practice, we sometimes lost touch with the original meaning of suffering found in the historical Buddha’s teaching. Instead, we turn we slide into a western psychological meaning. And we also lose touch with the tangible benefits and the clear risks or dangers of suffering.
This evening with SIM Founding Teacher, Dennis Warren, will explore the meaning, benefits and risks of suffering from a Buddhist perspective. It will extend a number of the principles outlined in Dennis’s talk on February 16th. You may want to review that talk as a way of preparing for this topic.

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02/16/2017 “Transforming Ourselves, Transforming Our Country” with Dennis Warren

Transforming Ourselves, Transforming Our Country

The aim of the historical Buddha’s teachings is nothing less than a transformation of how we understand ourselves and our experience; how we relate to each other; and how we engage the world around us. He provided us with a substantial system of practices supported by a dynamic psychology to move toward these goals. These practices and psychology are equally applicable to transformation in the inner sense, as well as the outer sense. What we do and say in the world is a reflection of our inner landscape.

This evening will explore the intersection between inner and outer transformation, and how the practices and psychology handed down to us by the Historical Buddha are essential in dealing with the turbulence, chaos and change taking place in our country. That change is broad and deep – socially, culturally, racially and politically. In this context, we’ll look at the role and obligations of those in spiritual communities, both individually and collectively, in making decisions about government initiated or sanctioned harming and violence.

There are two handouts referenced in this talk:

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Meditative Poetry: FLOYD SKLOOT – In Morning Light

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01/12/2017 “Recommendations for Practice in 2017 – part 2” Dennis Warren

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.

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01/05/2017 “Recommendations for Practice in 2017” Dennis Warren

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.

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To listen to Part 2 of the series, click here.

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Meditative Poetry: RUMI – A stone I died

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12/22/2016 “Karma & Reincarnation from a Buddhist Perspective” with Dennis Warren

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”.

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Here’s a copy of the poem that Dennis recited during this talk: A Stone I Died by Rumi

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