The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Cara Lai's Dharma Talks at Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
Cara Lai
Cara Lai spent most of her life trying to figure out how to be happy, or at least avoid total misery, so she sat still with her eyes closed for the majority of her adulthood. Throughout many consciousness adventures including a few mind-bendingly long meditation retreats, she has explored the wilderness of the mind, chronic illness, the importance of pleasure, and lots of other things that she might get in trouble for mentioning here. In the past, Cara has worked as an artist, wilderness guide, social worker and psychotherapist, but at this point she’s given up on being an adult in exchange for an all-out mindfulness rampage. Her teaching is relatable, authentic, funny and sometimes crass, and is accessible for many people. She teaches teens and adults at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, and UCLA; ultimately hoping to bend spoons with her mind. And to help people be happier.
2024-03-04 Awakening is for everyone 40:46
How doubt can manifest as the belief that one is not fully on the path if they have chosen the life of the householder. Using nature as affirmation and support.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center When Awareness Becomes Natural - An U Tejaniya-style Insight Meditation Retreat
2023-05-15 When it hits the fan. 59:09
How to practice when things get out of control. This talk was given on a day six of a nine day retreat that got cut short unexpectedly.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center The Path to Awakening
2023-05-13 Me, you, and everyone, we know (boundless metta) 46:15
A brief talk and guided practice of bringing loving kindness to ourselves and blurring the boundaries between this body and the rest of the world.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center The Path to Awakening
2022-06-29 Reclaiming Your Attention 44:57
How capitalism is trying to commodify your attention, and how recovering it is a reclamation of your power and purpose in this world.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Teen Retreat
2019-11-23 The Power Of Humility 54:25
How admitting to not knowing frees us to live in the wonder of our true nature.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2019-11-16 The Upside of Desire 48:19
How to recognize craving (tanha) and wholesome desire (chanda) and how all of it points to awakening.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2019-02-18 Faith (and Doubt) 44:37
How to recognize doubt of many kinds, how to practice faith, and the freedom that is possible from this.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Finding Freedom Through Insight Meditation

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