The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Retreat Dharma Talks at Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center

Three-Month Part 1

This three-month course, including its six-week partials, is a special time for practice. Because of its extended length and ongoing guidance, it is an opportunity for students to deepen the powers of concentration, wisdom and compassion. Based on the meditation instructions of Mahasi Sayadaw and supplemented by a range of skillful means, this silent retreat will encourage a balanced attitude of relaxation and alertness, and the continuity of practice based on the Buddha’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

2016-09-10 (43 days) Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center

  
2016-10-08 Taking in the good. 54:40
Jaya Rudgard
"the non-doing of all harm, taking in the good, purifying the heart– This is the teaching of the awakened ones". How to cultivate taking in the good as an important foundation for practice.
2016-10-09 The five aggregates are empty. 61:06
Guy Armstrong
Our experience, as described by the five aggregates, is empty in two ways. There is no self at the center of them, and every aggregate– Form, feeling, perception, formations and consciousness–is insubstantial.
2016-10-10 Investigation of states 59:53
Winnie Nazarko
This talk discusses what is meant by the "Enlightenment factor" investigation. How does one use mindfulness to "investigate"? How is this different from psychotherapy?
2016-10-11 Metta for a difficult person. 49:35
Jaya Rudgard
2016-10-11 Wisdom and compassion 62:21
Carol Wilson
Some reflections on how both wisdom and compassion mutually support each other and naturally grow in our practice.
2016-10-12 Cutting through identification with consciousness 52:48
Joseph Goldstein
2016-10-13 Big mind meditation 41:11
Joseph Goldstein
Guided meditation
2016-10-13 Kamma and equanimity 57:58
Sally Armstrong
There are two main aspects to mental factor of equanimity. The first is a vast and spacious mind, within which all experiences can arise and pass without disturbance. The other is understanding deeply the nature of reality and experience, so the mind is steady in the face of changing conditions. In Buddhist teachings this includes the understanding of kamma, the teachings of cause and effect. This important teaching is not about blame and judgment, but rather an empowering instruction on the possibility of understanding the natural laws of cause and effect, and how to train the mind and heart to reduce suffering and increase well-being for oneself and for others.
2016-10-14 Khanti: patience on the path to awakening 47:01
Bonnie Duran
This talk reviews the dimension of the pairing of patience with advice about how to cultivate Khanti.
2016-10-15 Dana Parmi – cultivating generosity 50:19
Jaya Rudgard
How the qualities of generosity and non-stinginess are an on going support for practice.
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