Sunday Dharma Talk

Compassion & Patience

Developing self compassion if often a challenge.  It requires developing in skill in dharma practice.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the cultivation of the paramis - including the parami of patience - supports us in our ability to develop compassion for ourselves.  The talk was given in March 2022.

The Skill of Being Present

What does is mean to be present?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the skills we develop in our effort to know the present moment.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday class in 2016.

Know Stillness

In meditation practice, we learn to develop in stillness.  And in our practice and in our lives, we learn to incline to this quality of stillness.  We learn to know stillness.  In this dharma talk, Peter discusses how we can maintain stillness not only in meditation, but in the midst of our days and nights.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday night class in April 2017.

Finding Your Way

What is our sense of purpose?  What is our guiding principle?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we learn to align ourselves with our purpose.  And how, in turn, we set ourselves on the path to a greater happiness in this life.  The talk was given in March 2022.

The Present Moment

What does it mean to be present?  How do we make our way to the present moment?  What is preventing us from finding the present moment?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses these questions.  The talk was given at a Downtown Meditation Community retreat in April 2018.

Incline to Equanimity

Equanimity is one of the key qualities that we seek to develop in making our way along the Buddha's path.  Equanimity puts us in position to know true happiness; the happiness that comes when we take action informed by the heart.  As human beings we all have potential for equanimity and, in turn, true happiness.  But this potential must be developed.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop and incline to the pivotal quality of equanimity.  The talk was given in March 2022.

Noble Ones

The Buddha's path is a noble path.  Which is to say, it leads to the end of suffering and true happiness.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the "customs of the noble ones," qualities that we seek to develop in our effort to live a life in which we know a greater happiness.  The talk was given at a Downtown Meditation Community retreat in 2017.

All About Action

We develop the practice of mindfulness of breathing so that we can take action.  Action in support of the heart.  Action that leads to true happiness, for us, for all beings.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how the practice of breath meditation finds its fruits in the actions we take in this life.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday night class in July 2017.

Art of Reflection

It's important, as dharma students, as awake human beings, to make time for reflection.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the process for developing the art of reflection.  The talk was given at Downtown Meditation Community in 2018, 

The Breath, the Body & the Heart

In breath meditation, we learn to cultivate a "home for the mind." In doing so, we establish mindfulness of the body and the qualities of concentration including equanimity.  In turn, we move closer to the heart, to the place of wisdom, compassion, lovingkindness, joy.  In this dharma talk, Peter describes how the practice of mindfulness of breathing leads us to our capacity to awaken.  The talk was given in August 2021.