Heather Sundberg has taught insight meditation since 1999 and completed the Spirit Rock/IMS Teacher Training. Beginning her own meditation practice in her late teens, for the last 25 years, Heather has studied with senior teachers in the Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and Tibetan (Vajrayana) traditions and has sat 1-3 months of retreat a year for almost 20 years. She was the Spirit Rock Family & Teen Program Teacher & Manager for a decade. Between 2010- 2015 she spent a cumulative one-year in study, practice, and pilgrimage in Asia. Since 2011, she has been a Teacher at Mountain Stream Meditation Center and sister communities in the Sierra Foothills, and also teaches nationally, especially at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Her teaching emphasizes embodiment, compassion and practical wisdom.
Through the story of the Buddha and the mad elephant, traditional and creative techniques and inspirational and real life examples, the talk takes
us on a journey of metta for all beings.
Talk explores many doorways of investigating the te4achings on self and
no-self including developing a healthy sense of self.
the four S's of self
1. simple sense of self
2. solid sense of self
3. self-interested sense of self
4. social sense of self
Talk explores the 5 aggregates and the 3 characteristics using stories, suttas and practical exercises to develop relating wisely to the sense of self.
An overview of the Brahma Viharas (lovingkindness-compassion-sympathetic joy-euanimity) and the role they play in the path of transforming judgments through sharing stories, images and practical techniques.
With a light hearted tone, the talk outlines five key areas of practice in working with the judgmental mind; Mindfulness, Somatic Practices, Heart Practices, Inquiry into habits and the role of wise friends, Spiritual Community.
"The spiritual path moves through cycles. The key is balance."
The talk journeys from the ground of ethical conduct through developing concentration, working with doubt, developing insight, working with dukkha of many types, to stabilizing in equanimity and opening to and integrating awakening.
