Archive for April 2018
Secular Practice with Images and Rituals
Many of us have questions about including images or rituals in secular Buddhist practice. We may find the idea congenial, on the other hand we may have an aversion to traditional forms of practice, or indeed we may come from a different religious background altogether. In this video we will consider adding chants, bells, incense,…
Read MoreBreaking Our Sense Sphere Attachments
What are the “sense spheres” and how do they get us attached in unskillful ways? How do we go about breaking these attachments? We’ll discuss all that in this video. Suttas referred to: Koṭṭhita (SN 35.232) Six Sets of Six (MN 148.28) Is There a Method? (SN 35.153) Check out my Patreon page!
Read MoreKindness Towards Everyone?
When we practice loving kindness, are we really supposed to direct kindness towards everyone? Does everyone really deserve kindness? We will look at the early texts as well as a recent article in Tricycle Magazine by scholar Andrew Olendzki. We will also consider some of the teachings of Socrates and the ancient Greeks. The Sutta…
Read MoreEpisode 292 :: David Wilmore :: Pranna Timer, Incense Meditation Timers
David Wilmore David Wilmore speaks with us today about Pranna Timers, combining incense, art, and meditation. A long time ago I happened upon my favorite timer for meditation, and it’s never been replaced. In fact, I’ve bought a few more for myself and given others as gifts over the years. What’s unique about this is…
Read More4/22 Practice Circle: Mindfulness of Dharmas
When Practice Circle meets again this Sunday, April 8, at 6 p.m. Pacific, 8 Central and 9 Eastern, we’ll conclude our four-part examination of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness by examining the Fourth Foundation, mindfulness of dharmas. The word dharma, or dhamma in Pali, has a number of meanings, but in this instance it refers…
Read MorePerfectionism Social and Personal
Many of us are perfectionists of one kind or another, and perfectionism has its benefits. It also has its darker side, which we will consider in today’s video: both in a sociopolitical sense and in a personal sense. We will finish up by considering a few ways that the Buddha appears not to have been…
Read MoreMindfulness of Dharmas, Part 2
Fourth and last of the foundations of mindfulness is Mindfulness of Dharmas. In this second half of our introduction, we will continue going through the practices involved in this foundation. In particular we will go through mindfulness of the factors of awakening, and of the Four Noble Truths in this video. Sutta mentioned: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta…
Read MoreMindfulness of Dharmas, Part 1
Fourth and last of the foundations of mindfulness is Mindfulness of Dharmas. In this first part of two, we will discuss what dharmas mean in this context, and begin going through the practices involved in this foundation. In particular we will go through mindfulness of the hindrances, of the aggregates, and of the sense-spheres. Suttas…
Read MoreBuddhist Practice or Psychotherapy?
Buddhist practice shares many similarities to psychotherapy, and many contemporary psychologists are learning about Buddhist practice in order to deepen their own. However they also have some important differences that must be kept in mind. What are they, and when should we seek one or the other? Recent Tricycle article Another interesting article from a…
Read MoreEpisode 291 :: Anurag Gupta :: Unconscious Bias in Buddhism
Anurag Gupta Anurag Gupta joins us to speak about how implicit bias has much to teach us about relating to one another in our sanghas. What biases do you have? What may come to mind when you hear that question may be a list of what is known to you, and it may be accompanied…
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