Sunday Dharma Talk

Daily Practice

Our daily meditation is the foundation of dharma practice.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explicates the purpose for having a daily sitting practice and the rudiments of establishing a strong practice.  The talk was given in May 2021.

“Over there are the roots of trees; over there, empty dwellings. Practice jhana, monks. Don't be heedless. Don't later fall into regret. This is our message to you."
(MN 19)

Stillness in Motion

In the practice of meditation, we learn to develop a stillness within.  And, in turn, we learn to maintain this quality of stillness in all our posture, in the course of our days and nights.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop in stillness ... and how we're able to cultivate stillness in motion.  The talk was given in October 2021.

Doubt & Conviction

As we make our way along the Buddha's path, doubt will arise.  As dharma students, we learn to bring awareness to doubt ... and we learn to abandon it.  In its place, we develop conviction.  In the talk, given in April 2021, Peter describes how we let of doubt and cultivate conviction in ourselves and the path.

How the Body Feels

It's important how the body feels.  When the body is stressed, in pain, it's difficult for us to move skillfully through life.  When the body feels good, we're able to make the most of our human experience.  In this talk, Peter describes why it's so important to learn to cultivate an easeful, pleasuarable abiding in the body.  And how we learn to do this.  The talk was given in February 2021.

Home for the Mind

It's important to have a good home for the mind.  In this dharma talk, Peter explains what it means to have a home for the mind ... and how we build this home for the mind.  The talk was given in November 2020.

A Greater Happiness

The practice of the dharma enables us, when we practice accordingly, to make the most of this life.  What does this mean?  As dharma students, we gradually shift away from seeking the "happiness of the world" and, instead we seek to know a greater happiness:  the happiness of heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter explains what it means to incline ourselves to knowing a greater happiness.  The talk was given on January 3, 2021.

A Learning Experience

Can we meet difficulty skillfully and turn it into a learning experience?  As dharma students, we develop this ability; it's an important attribute for us to cultivate as we make the journey toward a greater happiness.  In this dharma talk, Peter describes some of the ways that we turn our challenges and difficulties into learning experiences.  The talk was given in April 2021.

Subjects for Reflection

It's important, in this life, that we take time to reflect on this life.  What this life is, where we are, where we're heading.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin speaks to some of the most important reflections we can make, what the Buddha called "Subjects for Frequent Contemplation."  By reflecting, in the manner described, we support ourselves in our efforts to know a greater happiness in this life.

The Skill of Equanimity

Developed in equanimity, we're able to meet the experiences of life - the agreeable and disagreeable experiences - with ease, poise, balance, space, and acceptance.  But it requires that we develop a certain set of skills.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we cultivate the skill of equanimity and why it's so important to do so.

Goodwill

We learn, in practicing the dharma, to express ourselves in the world with goodwill.  As Peter Doobinin explains, the cultivation of goodwill begins with conscious intention.  Goodwill requires an act of will.  In the talk Peter describes how we develop this skill of goodwill.  The talk was given on September 12, 2021.

May all beings live in peace.