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Retreat Dharma Talks

Monday and Wednesday Talks

Regular weekly talks given at the lower Spirit Rock meditation hall

Spirit Rock Meditation Center

  
2024-09-02 A Labor of Love 1:36:33
Jack Kornfield
2024-09-04 Guided Meditation on Practicing with Mystery 34:13
Donald Rothberg
This is a fairly lightly guided meditation on ways to practice with a sense of mystery, linked with the talk on this theme. After grounding in posture and intentions, basic instructions in developing stability and concentration, and then in mindfulness, are given, with later periodic suggestions on ways to practice with a sense of mystery.
2024-09-04 Practicing with Mystery 2 64:53
Donald Rothberg
In this second talk on practicing with mystery, we begin by talking more generally about the nature of mystery. We then review seven ways of practicing with mystery explored last week, while bringing in further examples of these ways of practicing, and add an additional two further ways of practicing. Reading of poems and excerpts from poems support this sense of multiple ways of practicing with mystery. The talk is followed by discussion.
2024-09-25 What’s supposed to happen? What is the goal of practice? (Part 1) 1:58:02
Sylvia Boorstein
Includes meditation, dharma talk and group discussion
2024-10-02 What’s supposed to happen? What is the goal of practice? (Part 2) 1:44:44
Sylvia Boorstein
Includes meditation, dharma talk and group discussion
2024-10-07 Reconciliation 1:45:39
Jack Kornfield
2024-10-14 Indigenous People's Day 1:16:40
Bonnie Duran
2024-10-21 The Importance of Mindfulness in an Insecure World 1:25:46
Tuere Sala
Includes meditation & dharma talk. Group Q/A has been omitted.
2024-10-23 Being a Bodhisattva: Connecting Inner and Outer Practice 62:47
Donald Rothberg
We start with Donald's experience of being at Southern Dharma Retreat Center in North Carolina, north of Asheville, teaching two retreats during Hurricane Helene, some four weeks ago, and how staff and community members have responded during and in the weeks since the hurricane, grounded in community and their inner practices. Such a response, linking inner practice and the outer support and help of others, resonates with the aspiration of the Bodhisattva, one dedicated to awakening and to meeting the needs of others. We explore some of the qualities and capacities of the bodhisattva, including being in touch with freedom and awakening, navigating difficulties and painful experiences skillfully, and following the challenging teaching of acting fully without attachment to the outcome or fruits of one's actions. The talk is followed by discussion.
2024-10-28 Resilience in These Challenging Times 56:32
Mark Coleman
Creative Commons License