The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Winnie Nazarko's Dharma Talks at Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
Winnie Nazarko
Our potential as humans is vast and deep, and can be intentionally developed. There is a way that we can learn to open to all of our experience with kindness and clarity. As we begin to find this stability of heart and mind, wisdom will emerge.This emergence of wisdom, and strengthening of compassion, are the road to our individual and collective happiness and well-being.
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2011-11-28 Not Making Two 61:41
At the end of retreat, there are often concerns about how to take "this" back home. If we define "this" too narrowly, with a dualistic mind, we will miss the chance to practice effectively when we return to the conditions of lay life.Lay life is different, and offers the opportunity for practice which is broader, more dynamic, and more relational than that done on retreat. The Buddha himself saw his teachings as useful and beneficial to lay people as well as monastics, sometimes in surprising applications. Some of his teachings for lay people are discussed, clarifying that the 8 Fold Path can be practiced outside of silent retreat, in daily life.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2011-11-23 The Problem With Greed 50:19
Our relationship with sense pleasure is complicated. Moving towards what is pleasant is instinctual,and we need to be able to experience what is pleasant without clinging, fear or attachment in order to be whole. Yet pleasant vedana (sensation) is not a reliable goal or guide on the spiritual path. Pleasure - like all conditioned things - has its limitations and does not work well as the orienting principle in our practice and lives. Like the Buddha, we need to be able to swim upstream, and not be limited by our conditioning towards ease.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2011-11-17 Steadying the Mind, Opening the Heart 50:20
Equanimity - that quality of mind which is balanced, steady, and non-reactive - is developed by learning to open skillfully to the full range of our experience. It is equanimity which allows the heart to feel safe enough to open to our own difficult states, and the difficult states of others. Deep equanimity is " the peace that passes understanding", a wisdom and equipoise which can hold it all.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2011-11-11 Seeing the Good 55:01
Wholesome states of mind are often unnoticed, even though they are frequently present. There are reasons to turn the mind toward them, and to acknowledge the goodness they represent. How and why to orient the mind this way, and a discussion of obstacles to this turning.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2011-11-02 Working in the Middle: Effort and Surrender 56:42
Effort and energy are necessary to liberate the mind, but the effort needs to be wise and the energy calibrated to the task. Often we don't need to "try harder"- we need to learn to let go, to surrender to things as they are.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2011-10-26 The Door in the Wall 58:53
In order to come to clarity and equanimity, the mind must learn to open to all states. Learning how to work with the 5 Hindrances is key to this process, and opens the door to the peace that we seek.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2010-11-06 The Spiritual compost 48:04
It is clear that spiritual practice is aimed towards the development of wholesome states. Yet our mind-streams have currents of greed, hatred and delusion - how can we use these very states to our own benefit?
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2010-10-30 Pith Practice Teachings 40:40
This is a brief, concise summary of: the orienting context of meditation practice; basic tasks and principles of meditation; and how to approach challenges.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 2
2010-10-19 Guided Metta Meditation For All Beings 46:58
Reflections on the power and value of loving-friendless practice, and its place on the road to awakening. Guided metta practice for all beings
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2010-10-16 The Great Question, Investigation and Doubt 41:54
The great question, our deepest personal concern, can empower our practice, and motivate investigation of reality. But doubt can undermine our commitment to practice if we do not recognize it.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1

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