Sunday Dharma Talk

Asking Skillful Questions

By asking questions in skillful ways we learn to free the heart of its burdens and know the happiness inside, the happiness of heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains the skill of asking skillful questions.  The talk was given in January 2026.  It's the third in a series of dharma talks on cultivating skillful thinking that Peter offered during the month.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org

Cultivating Skillful Thinking

Our happiness in this life depends on the way that we think and the actions that follow.  As dharma students, our task is to abandon unskillful thinking and to cultivate skillful thinking.  In this talk, Peter explains the skill for cultivating skillful thinking, thinking that leads us to true happiness.  The dharma talk is the second in a series of talks on "Skillful Thinking" offered in January 2026.
​"We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world."
(Dhp 1)

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org

Fundamentals of Skillful Thinking

This dharma talk is the first in a series of talks on the theme of "Skillful Thinking" given by Peter Doobinin in January 2026.  As Peter explains, the Buddha's path is a path of developing skills.  The skill of skillful thinking is integral to the path.  Through developing skillful thinking we are able to shape our lives, we are able to live with wisdom & compassion, we are able to know the happiness of heart.  In this talk, Peter explains the basics for developing the skill of skillful thinking.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

Time Well Spent

Meditation is often difficult.  But, as Peter Doobinin explains, it's time well spent.  This talk was given by Peter in December 2025.

Here & Now

The practice of the dharma is the practice of being aware in the here & now.  Being aware of our experience, as it is, in the moment.  And, in turn, shaping our experience of the here & now.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains what it is to live in the here & now; and how we're able to do that.  The dharma talk was offered on December 21, 2025.

You shouldn't chase after the past
or place expectations on the future.
What is past
          is left behind.
The future
          is as yet unreached.
Whatever quality is present
you clearly see right there,
             right there.
Not taken in,
unshaken,
that's how you develop the heart.
(MN 131)

True Dhamma

The truths of the heart, the dhamma, are timeless and deathless.  The dharma has always been there and will always be there.  The Buddha didn't invent the dharma.  He found it.  And he taught a way, a path, by which we might find it.  Our task is to follow the path and, in turn, to be alert to the dhamma, that timeless quality.  It is from this place, that we seek to live.  The talk was offered by Peter Doobinin in January 2025.

New York Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

The Dhamma is Timeless

The dhamma is found inside.  Inside each of us.  It is found inside and it is always there.  It is timeless.  This talk was given by Peter Doobinin at the end of the year in December 2025.

New York Dharma:  www.nydharma.org 

The Truth of Impermanence

There is that which is subject to birth & death; and there is that which doesn't die.  As we understand the truth of impermanence, we gradually move toward knowing the happiness that doesn't die:  the happiness of the heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explain how our understanding of impermanence leads us to a greater happiness in this life.  He encourages us to ask, "Is there a happiness that doesn't die?"  The talk was given at a New York Dharma daylong retreat in December 2025.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

A Greater Happiness

In dharma practice, we learn to change.  We change our karma.  We change our actions.  The skills the Buddha teaches enable us to no longer act our on our past karma ... and in turn, to act in support of the heart.  As we practice these skills, we come to know a greater happiness in this life.  This dharma talk is the fourth in a series of four talks on "The Law of Karma" that Peter Doobinin gave in September 2025.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org 

Discernment: The Practice of Heedfulness

All skillful qualities, the Buddha teaches, are rooted in heedfulness.  The practice of heedfulness enables us to discern which actions to take, which actions will lead us to a greater happiness in this life.  In this talk, Peter explains the skill of heedfulness, how we develop it, and the importance in doing so.  The dharma talk is the third talk in a series on "The Law of Karma" offered in September 2025.

NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org